The Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights) appreciates this opportunity to comment on the CY26 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems proposed rule. Medicare Rights is a national, nonprofit organization that works to ensure access to affordable and equitable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and public policy initiatives. Each year, Medicare Rights provides services and resources to over three million people with Medicare, family caregivers, and professionals.
General Comments
Our comments are informed by our work helping callers to our National Helpline navigate and afford their care. These experiences drive us to support efforts within this rule to bring more sustainability and rationality to Medicare payment, including by establishing greater site neutrality.
