WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Eighteen medical organizations representing nearly 200,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students have submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing grave concerns about the agency's proposed physician efficiency adjustment outlined in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026. These organizations argue that the proposed changes will jeopardize patient access to care and increase the financial pres  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- Four legal experts from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) expressing their concerns regarding the agency's 2025 Draft List of Critical Minerals. The letter, which was submitted via regulations.gov, offers insights aimed at ensuring adherence to the Energy Act of 2020 in the evaluation of critical minerals. The authors emphasized the importance of the statutory defin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- 5E Advanced Materials, a company based in Hesperia, California, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) urging the agency to include boron on its final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (LCM). The company asserts that recognizing boron as a critical mineral is vital for ensuring national security and protecting American economic interests. 5E Advanced Materials emphasizes that boron plays an essential role in various sectors of the U.S. ec  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The American Portable Diagnostics Association (APDA) and TridentCare, Sparks, Maryland, have submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing their apprehensions regarding the proposed national payment rate for portable X-ray (PXR) services in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). The organizations assert that such a standardization would inadequately account for the variable costs of providing essential medical  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) Inc. has issued a public comment letter addressing the U.S. Department of the Interior's proposal to include lead on its list of crucial minerals. The organization emphasizes that lead plays a pivotal role in the economic framework and national security of the United States, arguing that its inclusion as a critical mineral is necessary for the sustainable future of the lead battery recycling industry. The ABR, a trade associatio  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC), New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns regarding the average sales price (ASP) provisions outlined in the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule. This nonprofit organization, dedicated to improving cancer care by fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, highlighted potential negative impacts on pat  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Coalition of Wound Care Manufacturers, Bethesda, Maryland, has submitted a public comment letter addressing proposed updates to the Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Coalition, which comprises leading manufacturers of wound care products for Medicare beneficiaries, raised concerns over reimbursement policies that they argue do not adequately address the complexities associated with the treatment of wound  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Conservative Political Action Coalition Foundation Center for Regulatory Freedom, Alexandria, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regarding the interim final rule on implementing voluntary agreements under the Defense Production Act. This letter highlights the organization's views on how the DOE's proposed regulations could bolster domestic nuclear energy production amidst ongoing energy supply challenges. The letter  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Christopher A. Galarza, founder and CEO of the Forward Dining Solutions has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expressing strong support for new regulations aimed at preventing heat injuries and illnesses among workers in both outdoor and indoor settings. The letter highlights the extreme heat that chefs and kitchen staff often face, particularly in commercial kitchens. According to the  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Florida, has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle's operations at Launch Complex 39A. In its letter, the Authority expressed support for the FAA's dual role in regulating and promoting commercial space launches while emphasizing the need for comprehensive analysis of potential impacts on the National Airspace System, Orlando International Ai  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- HealthyWomen, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization focused on women's health information, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advocating for the removal of the boxed warning on low-dose vaginal estrogen, asserting that the current labeling is outdated and misrepresents the safety of the therapy. The organization expresses concerns that the existing warning label is leading to unnecessary fear among women, preventing them from ut  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed changes outlined in the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. The organization expressed a mix of support and concern over various aspects of the proposed rules, which aim to update payment structures and quality measurement requirements within the Medicare program. In the letter, members of the Regulatory Quality Council, which represent  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The LGB Courage Coalition, a national nonprofit organization, has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission in response to a request for input concerning gender-affirming care for minors. The coalition aims to inform the FTC's investigation into potentially deceptive and unfair practices surrounding medical interventions for vulnerable youth. Founded by individuals committed to safeguarding the rights of same-sex attracted youth, the LGB Courage C  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- M2i Inc., Incline Village, Nevada, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) regarding potential updates to the Critical Minerals List. The letter reflects insights gained from M2i's nationwide portfolio, emphasizing operational criteria that prioritize industrial usability over theoretical material availability. In its submission, M2i stresses that the definitions of criticality and the national assessments surrounding these materials   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), Arlington, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) emphasizing the need for collaboration between state energy offices and the federal agency in implementing voluntary agreements under the Defense Production Act. With representation from governor-designated State Energy Offices across all 56 states, territories, and D.C., NASEO aims to support advanced nuclear initia  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Onera BV, Eindhoven, Netherlands, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the proposed revisions to Medicare payment policies for 2026. The letter expresses concern over the inadequate representation of new technologies in the existing CPT and HCPCS codes used for sleep diagnostics. In their submission, Onera highlights the limitations of current coding systems which fail to accommodate Type II unattended pol  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Paragon Health Institute has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing support for a proposed rule aimed at enhancing fiscal responsibility within Medicare and Medicaid programs. The proposed rule, designated CMS-1832-P, outlines payment policies for the 2026 calendar year under the Physician Fee Schedule and includes changes to Part B payment and coverage policies alongside Medicare Shared Savings Program require  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Partner Therapeutics (PTx), Lexington, Massachusetts, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking to address its Medicare Part B Discarded Drug Refund Provision for its product, Leukine. Specifically, PTx is requesting an increased applicable percentage based on what it describes as the "unique circumstances" of the drug's usage, emphasizing the financial implications this could have on its operations. Leukine, also  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing key elements of the proposed Calendar Year 2026 updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The coalition, comprised of over 40 organizations committed to enhancing the quality of care for serious illness patients, underscores the necessity for greater access to palliative care in light of the proposed payment policies. I  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed), Columbia, Maryland, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing several proposals under the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and associated payment policies. The organization emphasizes the importance of equitable access to healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities as well as nursing facilities. PALTmed's letter comes in r  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Punxsutawney Area Hospital, Pennsylvania, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding proposed changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2026. The hospital's concerns center on a proposed survey of drug acquisition costs and deeper payment reductions for non-drug services, which they believe would harm their ability to serve low-income patients. The letter expresses strong oppositio  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Sonex Health Inc., Eagan, Minnesota, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advocating for a reevaluation of the proposed work values assigned to the newly established CPT code 647XX, which pertains to an innovative ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release procedure. The letter highlights concerns that CMS's current work and malpractice relative value units (RVUs) proposals underestimate the complexity and time required   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Stimlabs LLC, Roswell, Georgia, a company dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine and wound care, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concern over proposed changes in the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The letter addresses CMS's plans regarding payment for skin substitutes, a critical component in acute and chronic wound management. Stimlabs emphasized the mission to provide lea  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan, has expressed its concerns in a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding proposed updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2026. The company argues that certain policy changes could have adverse effects on patient access and reimbursement stability for healthcare providers. In its letter, Stryker highlighted several key recommendations in response to CMS's proposed policies. One   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), Nashville, have submitted a public comment letter addressing the U.S. Department of Energy's interim final rule concerning the Defense Production Act (DPA). The letter emphasizes the importance of balancing national security interests with environmental protections, particularly focusing on revitalizing brownfield sites as part of energy   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Texas Health Resources, Arlington, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. The organization expressed gratitude for the opportunity to comment and reiterated its commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries while reducing regulatory burdens. In its letter, Texas Health commended CMS for its proposed regulatory actions  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Texas State Rep. Joanne Shofner has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns about the agency's proposed rule regarding pain management options. The representative, who serves multiple counties in East Texas, emphasized the urgent need to improve access to non-opioid pain treatment, particularly in rural areas where healthcare options are often limited. In her letter, the lawmaker highlighted the importan  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the agency to investigate the marketing practices surrounding "gender-affirming care" (GAC) for minors. The letter articulates concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of treatments being promoted, particularly emphasizing that many drugs utilized for GAC lack approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these specific purpo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- J. Anthony Seibert, a professor emeritus in radiology at the University of California Davis (UC Davis), submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to strongly oppose a proposed change that would shift the Excessive Radiation CT quality measure from mandatory to voluntary reporting in the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program. The university official, who is a medical physicist with widespread leadership experience in ra  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) International Student Services Associate Director Anna Gilmore and Program Coordinator Alexa Oleson submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly opposing a proposed rule that would establish a fixed time period of admission for nonimmigrant academic students and exchange visitors. The writers urged the agency to withdraw the rule in its entirety, stating it would hurt both domestic and in  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- University Hospitals (UH), Cleveland, Ohio, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advocating for necessary reforms to the agency's proposed 2026 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program. The letter emphasized the urgent need for adjustments to physician reimbursement structures to ensure continued access to high-quality medical care across the nation. The organization highlighted the critical role of inflation-b  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- University Physicians Inc. dba University of Colorado Medicine (CU Medicine), Aurora, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing critical aspects of the proposed Calendar Year 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP). As a multispecialty academic practice plan, CU Medicine comprises about 4,500 faculty providers caring for roughly 71,000 Medicare beneficiaries annually. In its letter,   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- U.S. of Care (USofCare) has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advocating for crucial reforms in the proposed Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The nonprofit organization, dedicated to expanding access to affordable healthcare, highlighted the need for a shift towards "patient-first care" that better meets the needs of Medicare beneficiaries. The organization emphasized that individuals desire compreh  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Utah State University (USU), Logan, has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expressing serious concerns over the proposed rule that establishes a fixed time period for admission and an extension of stay for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. The institution highlighted that the suggested four-year fixed admission period for international doctoral students may not allow  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Venture Medical LLC, a specialty distributor based in Missoula, Montana, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing the proposed payment policies for skin substitutes under the Physician Fee Schedule for the year 2026. The company argues that the proposed reimbursement rates could restrict patient access to essential wound care, particularly for rural and underserved populations. In the letter, Venture Medical h  more