WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- A coalition of 10 aquariums and zoos has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing strong opposition to the proposed commercial leasing of Outer Continental Shelf minerals in offshore American Samoa. This unified stance aligns with the American Samoa Government, which has actively opposed such actions. The organizations reinforce that the moratorium on seabed mining, established by Executive Order 006-24, remains intact and shoul  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- A coalition of 27 Pacific movements and civil society organizations submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) urging the agency to abandon plans for deep sea mineral leasing in American Samoa's Exclusive Economic Zone. The representatives state that seabed mining is a destructive industry and should be banned. The correspondence stems from concerns surrounding a recent announcement by BOEM indicating that it may consider lease appli  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Acusensus Inc. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation commending the agency's commitment to modernizing America's infrastructure while stressing the crucial need to address the growing issue of distracted driving in upcoming transportation reforms. The company highlights that distracted driving remains a leading cause of unnecessary accidents and fatalities, despite awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating the problem. In the letter,  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The American Academy of Physician Associates, Alexandria, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter regarding the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule for the 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update. Representing over 190,000 physician assistants (PAs) across the nation, AAPA has raised concerns about several implications of the proposed regulations on healthcare delivery and patient care. In their letter, AAPA voiced str  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the agency's proposed revisions to Medicare payment policies under the Physician Payment Schedule for 2026. The letter highlights critical recommendations and suggests revisions to various components, emphasizing the implications for patient access and healthcare provider stability. In its letter dated August 21, the AM  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The American Podiatric Medical Association has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressing proposed updates to the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) and policies surrounding Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). The organization represents a majority of the nation's 15,000 podiatrists and has emphasized its concerns about various proposals which may impact   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The American Psychological Association (APA) and its companion organization, APA Services, have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education addressing critical matters regarding the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee's work. This committee is responsible for implementing student financial aid provisions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). In their correspondence, the APA emphasizes the need for the RISE Committe  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Beaufort Memorial Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Coordinator Roxanne Davis submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging decision-makers to consider patient access to vital diabetes technology in upcoming Medicare programs. The letter highlights the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program on Medicare b  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed rule for the Fiscal Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS). The letter underscores the organization's commitment to enhancing the quality of nutrition care and advocates for the inclusion of the Malnutrition Care Score (MCS) in CMS's Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP). The M  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Cardinal Health, Dublin, Ohio, has submitted a public comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the draft guidance on the Electronic Submission Template for Medical Device Q-Submissions. The letter outlines the company's recommendations aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic submission process. With a robust history of 50 years, Cardinal Health stands out as a critical distributor of pharmaceuticals and a global prov  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Rebuilding America's Middle Class submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education regarding critical issues relevant to the upcoming Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Negotiated Rulemaking Session. RAMC represents over 75 community colleges and serves approximately 1 million students nationwide, making clear its commitment to enhancing access to affordable postsecondary training. In its letter,  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- CHI Franciscan Health at Home, University Place, Washington, has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing deep concerns regarding proposed Medicare reimbursement reductions for home health services. The organization, part of CommonSpirit Health, operates in University Place, Washington, and has been a vital part of the local health care landscape for over a decade, serving more than 500 patients each week. In the lett  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Camara de la Industria de Alimentos - Asociacion Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia, also known as ANDI, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the agency's proposal to revoke 18 standards of identity for dairy products. ANDI's letter outlines their support for the proposal but emphasizes the need for clarity and additional provisions to ensure product development opportunities are not limited. The organization articu  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The National Emergency Planning and Training Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Justice addressing concerns regarding the impact of varying state laws on the national economy and interstate commerce. NEPTA, which specializes in emergency preparedness training and consulting, aims to draw attention to the challenges posed by fragmented state regulations that hinder its operations and inflate costs for clients nationwide. In the lett  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- CommonSpirit Health at Home has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), raising concerns about proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursements for home health services. The Loveland, Ohio-based organization, which serves approximately 15,000 patients daily across 15 states, emphasizes the critical implications these cuts would have on patient care and workforce stability. In the letter, the organization highlights that a 9% reduction  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- CommonSpirit Health at Home has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed rule for the fiscal year 2026, which includes a controversial 9% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for home health services. The organization, which is the largest Catholic not-for-profit home health provider in the nation, has been serving its community for over 35 years and currently assists around 500 patients daily. In the letter,  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Consumer Federation of America submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development highlighting concerns regarding the impact of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) loans on housing affordability and mortgage eligibility for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) borrowers. The letter outlines the complexities associated with integrating these financial products into traditional credit assessments, particularly for underserved communities. In   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Health Care Without Harm, Reston, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns regarding a proposed change to the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) for the calendar year 2026. The proposed rule, designated CMS-1828-P, aims to update various policies related to home health care services, including the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP). In its letter, HCWH emphasizes the   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns over the proposed rules for the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System for Calendar Year 2026. The organization represents various healthcare providers including nonprofit and public hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies, and emphasizes the need for adjustments to ensure adequate funding  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Partners In Home Care, a Medicare-certified home health provider based in Montana, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressing concerns over the agency's proposed 6.4% payment reduction for the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System. The proposed cut, if implemented, could have dire consequences for over 2,100 Medicare beneficiaries currently under the agency's care. The agency's suggested payment r  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- CommonSpirit Health at Home has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing deep concerns over the proposed 9% cut to Medicare reimbursements for home health services. The organization, which operates home health agencies across several Colorado cities, serves approximately 650 patients daily and emphasizes the detrimental impact these proposed cuts could have on patient care and operational sustainability. In the letter  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- HR HealthCare has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing serious concerns over the agency's proposal to include urological supplies in the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). The letter calls for CMS to withdraw these proposals, arguing that the plan poses significant risks to Medicare beneficiaries' access to essential care and contradicts the existing regulatory framework. In the proposed rule, CMS plan  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advocating for the retention of a critical improvement activity related to nutrition care in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. In their outreach, MQii highlights the significant role that effective nutrition interventions play in high-quality, patient-centered care. Among the key points raised in the letter is the organizati  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Mark Drug Medical Supply has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), expressing strong opposition to the proposal to include ostomy and urological supplies in the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). The organization contends that such inclusion could jeopardize patient care and access to essential medical products. In the letter, Mark Drug Medical Supply highlights the crucial role that ostomy and urological supplies pla  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Michelin North America has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), emphasizing the need to prioritize safety and innovation in the upcoming surface transportation bill. The company, which has more than 22,000 employees across the United States, has been a mobility leader for over fifty years and sees great potential for modernization in the nation's transportation infrastructure. In its letter, Michelin praises the USDOT for its  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The National Skills Coalition (NSC) submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education expressing support for the proposed rulemaking concerning the implementation of changes to Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The organization outlines its recommendations aimed at improving program eligibility requirements for the new Workforce Pell Grant, particularly those supporting students enrolled in short-term programs that yield recognized credentials. In   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) has revealed critical findings on dietary habits and health measures among U.K. residents between the years 2019 and 2023. The survey report, which spans years 12 to 15, includes findings that are being actively discussed following a public comment letter sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Recent data includes a wide array of topics that cover everything from household food security to individual dietary behav  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- A letter from Penrod Medical Equipment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expresses strong opposition to proposed revisions under CMS-1828-P that threaten the viability of durable medical equipment (DME) providers and could jeopardize beneficiary access to essential medical equipment. The letter outlines concerns regarding the potential impact on providers and patients alike, highlighting a disconnection from economic realities and calling for immediate   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Bridgewater Health Supplies, a key provider of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and one of the few direct-contracted suppliers from Abbott Laboratories, has formally voiced its opposition to including CGMs in the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. This position was articulated in a public comment letter addressed to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which outlines concerns about patient   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Parenteral Drug Association, Bethesda, Maryland, has submitted a public comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighting various recommendations regarding the agency's draft guidance on the ICH Q1 Guideline for Stability Testing of Drug Substances and Drug Products. The guidance, aimed at streamlining stability testing protocols for the pharmaceutical industry, is crucial for ensuring drug quality over time. PDA's feedback emphasizes that the prop  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Coral Desert Surgery Center, located in Utah, has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing support for the proposal to eliminate several quality measures from the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program. The measures include ASC-20, which focuses on COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, as well as ASC-22, ASC-23, and ASC-24, which address screening for social drivers of health a  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Visiting Nurse Association of the Wabash Valley has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the proposed 6.4% reduction in overall home health payment rates for the year 2026. The organization, which provides care to 250 Medicare beneficiaries in Indiana, expressed deep concern that this funding cut would exacerbate the financial challenges facing home health providers and limit access to critical in-home care. In   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Visiting Nurse Association of the Wabash Valley has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns over the proposed 6.4% payment cut for the upcoming Home Health Prospective Payment System for 2026. The agency's proposed adjustment has sparked fears among home health providers that patient access to essential in-home care will be jeopardized at a time when they are already facing substantial financial pres  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Purpose Driven Home Health, a home health agency based in Bakersfield, California, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing serious concerns over the proposed rule for the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HHPPS). The agency asserts that the proposed regulations would impose additional requirements on healthcare providers while simultaneously cutting payment rates, which could severely i  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Strategic Healthcare Programs Inc. has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expressing concerns regarding proposed cuts to the Home Health Prospective Payment System for Calendar Year 2026. SHP, a leading provider of Medicare benchmarks and analytics in the home health sector, highlights the potential implications of a suggested 9% payment reduction under the Patient Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). The agency's proposal, if enac  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Urosurgical Center of Richmond has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, advocating for the removal of certain quality measures from the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program. The proposed changes mainly concern the removal of ASC-20, ASC-22, ASC-23, and ASC-24 measures, which the center describes as burdensome and inappropriate for the outpatient surgical setting. The center's Director of Quality and Compliance  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Clarity ENT has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging the establishment of a national payment rate for CPT code 0583T and HCPCS code G0561, related to Tympanostomy Under Local Anesthesia (TULA). This call to action comes as the practice's co-owner highlights urgent financial barriers that could jeopardize the sustainability of this innovative pediatric procedure. TULA, which allows for ear tube placement without the risks  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- University of California - Irvine professor of Medicine Morton J. Kern submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging the agency to change a proposed rule that would affect coding and payment for a cardiovascular technology. The writer argues the proposed change would limit patient access to a valuable diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease. The letter concerns a proposed rule for the Outpatient Prospective Payment Syste  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- Hawthorne Oncology Pain Experts has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, expressing strong opposition to a proposed change in the Calendar Year 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System. The change threatens to eliminate Medicare Part B coverage for certain medications, including PRIALT (ziconotide), the only FDA-approved non-opioid intrathecal therapy for chronic severe pain, from manufacturers that do not participate i  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The University of Southern California (USC) Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for occupational therapy programs to be designated as "professional degree programs" under Public Law 119-21. This classification is crucial for students' access to federal student loan limits that can significantly impact their ability to finance their education. In the letter addr  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Honolulu, Hawaii, has issued a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding its request for information on commercial leasing for outer continental shelf minerals offshore American Samoa. The Council has raised serious concerns over the potential negative impacts of deep sea mining activities on local fisheries in the region. In its letter, the Council informed BOEM that it has bee  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing strong concerns regarding the proposed payment reductions for the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS). The organization, comprising over 5,500 clinicians, highlights that the proposed $1.13 billion reduction, translating to a 6.4% decrease from 2025 rates, threatens   more