The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reengaged with the healthcare industry and the public for comment after a period of silence, now with the Department’s reorganization well underway. In a relatively short period, CMS has put out three requests for information, new strategic guidance for its Center of Innovation, and announced rescinding previously published documentation. This flurry of activity is likely part of the dust settling from the broader HHS reorganization and HHS agencies like CMS recalibrating how the agency develops and communicates policy. From broad requests for information (RFIs) to a new strategic direction page and rescinded guidance documents, it’s clear CMS is opening the door to industry and public input—and possibly reassessing its approach.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and why it warrants attention.
Three Broad RFIs Signal a Push for Stakeholder Engagement
As we discussed in this recent POCP blog post, CMS issued a wide-ranging RFI entitled “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation of the Medicare Program Request for Information” seeking feedback on how existing regulations might be improved, streamlined, or removed. The questions are open-ended and touch on nearly every aspect of Medicare policy, indicating that CMS may be looking to reassess where and how it exercises its regulatory authority.
Shortly after, CMS released a second draft RFI entitled, “Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation for a Healthier America,” this time asking how the agency can better engage with people who have direct experience navigating the healthcare system, including patients and caregivers. While CMS has long sought input from professional stakeholders, this RFI puts a sharper focus on incorporating lived experience into decision-making.
CMS has now issued a third RFI jointly with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Technology and Policy/Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT entitled “Health IT Ecosystems RFI, “ asking the industry for feedback in 30 days (comments are due on June 16th) on the use of Information technology. The purpose of this RFI, is to obtain feedback on how effective and responsible adoption of technology can empower patients to make better decisions for their health and well-being
The release of the RFIs and refreshed Innovation strategy has sparked significant discussion across LinkedIn and other industry forums. Many are welcoming the broader invitation to weigh in, particularly the emphasis on patient and caregiver voices, viewing it as a positive step toward more inclusive policymaking. At the same time, there's some healthy skepticism around how CMS will process and operationalize such a wide range of input, especially given the broad nature of the questions and the limited timeframes for response. Some have pointed out the challenge of producing meaningful comments without more specific framing, while others have expressed concern about consultation fatigue given the volume of concurrent federal requests for feedback.
Overall, the sentiment is that while the RFIs present an opportunity, stakeholders will need to be thoughtful and strategic in how they engage to ensure their input has a meaningful impact. The refreshed Innovation Strategy emphasizes patient-centered care to make Americans healthy, including the aged and underserved populations.
Strategic Direction Outlines Agency Priorities
In tandem with the RFIs, CMS also published a new Strategic Direction page, which outlines core focus areas such as promoting evidence-based prevention, empowering people to achieve their health goals, and driving choice and competition. . While aspects of these themes are not new, the refreshed language and emphasis may indicate shifts in how CMS intends to measure or prioritize success.
This page provides useful context for interpreting the RFIs and may help stakeholders understand where CMS is heading and where it is asking for guidance. Insight on how CMS will work to achieve its strategy can be gleaned from a May 13th overview provided by Dr, Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator, and Abe Sutton, JD, Assistant Administrator for CMS and Director for CMS Innovation (CMMI)
Rescinded Documents Point to Internal Review
CMS also rescinded several policy guidance documents this week, labeling them obsolete. While not unusual, the timing, alongside these other activities, could indicate there is a broader internal review of existing materials, possibly to ensure alignment with evolving policy objectives or simplify the agency’s regulatory footprint.
What to Watch
Taken together with the broader HHS reorganization, these actions should be taken as a signal for how CMS, as an HHS agency, plans to set and update policy. The agency appears to be seeking a wider range of perspectives, from institutions and individuals alike, as it assesses where change might be needed. For stakeholders, these RFIs offer both opportunity and responsibility: an opening to influence future priorities, but also a signal that CMS expects informed, constructive input.
Need Help Navigating or Responding?
POCP’s Regulatory Resource Center is tracking these developments closely. If your organization is considering submitting comments, needs support with policy landscape analysis, or would like to understand how peer organizations are engaging, reach out to us to set up a time to talk.
