Comment on CMS-2026-1916-0001

Summary: Private Essential Access Community Hospitals (PEACH) opposes the proposed rule, arguing that it exceeds statutory authority and would restrict states' ability to sustain access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries. They specifically request that CMS preserve state flexibility for uniform rate increases, use total payment rates for limits, maintain statutory grandfathering, and limit restrictions to the four service categories identified by Congress.