HHS Wants to Cut Funding for Hospitals Doing Kid Gender Care

2026-15652, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program

This final rule updates the prospective payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2027. As required by statute, this final rule includes the classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's (PPS) case-mix groups and a description of the methodologies and data used in computing the prospective payment rates for FY 2027. It also finalizes the third and final of the 3-year phaseout of the rural adjustment, which began in FY 2025. This final rule includes a solicitation for public comments on alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index; requires all therapy treatments and/or therapy evaluations to begin no later than 36 hours from midnight on the day of admission; finalizes requirements for the initial Interdisciplinary Team meeting to occur on or before 4 days from the date the patient is admitted; and summarizes a request for information on potential future IRF PPS payment reform. Additionally, this final rule includes updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program and changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.

2026-15686, Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

This final rule updates the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2027. This final rule also includes an analysis of Medicare non-hospice spending, including details regarding a hospice service and spending variation index, and finalizes the requirement that hospices provide the hospice election statement addendum to all Medicare beneficiaries at the time of hospice election. Additionally, this rule finalizes conforming changes to discharge from hospice care regulations and changes to the face-to-face encounter regulations. This final rule also includes a summary of comments received on our requests for information regarding community- based palliative care; the construction of a hospice specific wage index; and the overlap between hospice and medical aid in dying laws. Finally, this rule finalizes changes to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program.

2026-15562, Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027

Starting October 1, 2026, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) will see updated payment rates and new rules for how Medicare pays them. The Quality Reporting and Value-Based Purchasing programs are also getting tweaks to help improve care. These changes affect SNFs nationwide and could impact how much money they get and how they report quality data.

2026-14897, Medicaid Program; Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Health Care-Related Taxes

Starting October 1, 2026, new rules will change how states handle health care-related taxes under Medicaid. These changes set clear limits on tax amounts based on 2025 levels and will gradually lower those limits in some states by 2027. States and taxpayers should get ready for tighter rules and better oversight that could affect tax collections and Medicaid funding.

2026-14709, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program; Correction

This correction fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the 2027 health insurance rules under the Affordable Care Act. It mainly affects people and organizations involved in health coverage plans by clarifying when the rules take effect and restoring some important regulation details. These fixes take effect on July 20, 2026, ensuring smoother and clearer health plan operations next year.

2026-14327, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2027 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program

Starting in 2027, Medicare and Medicaid are updating how doctors and clinics get paid to better match today’s medical care and laws. This includes new rules for drug price rebates, shared savings programs, and payments for rural and specialty care. These changes affect doctors, patients, and drug makers, aiming to save money and improve care quality.

Previous: 2025-23464, Medicaid Program; Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Funding for Sex-Rejecting Procedures Furnished to Children

Starting soon, Medicaid and CHIP won’t pay for sex-rejecting procedures for kids under 18 (Medicaid) and under 19 (CHIP). This means states can’t use federal money for these treatments for minors anymore. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by February 17, 2026!

Next: 2025-23484, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance

The Department of Health and Human Services is updating rules to clarify that gender dysphoria without a physical cause isn’t considered a disability under programs receiving federal money. This affects organizations getting HHS funds, making sure everyone’s on the same page about who counts as having a disability. You’ve got until January 20, 2026, to share your thoughts on this change!