Comment on CMS-2026-1255-0001

Dear Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Oz: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the policy changes to the 2026 Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs proposed rule. ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is more determined than ever to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We applaud the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for proposing to extend the requirements established in the 2024 Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization final rule for the Prior Authorization Application Programming Interface (API) to prescription drugs. Including prescription drugs would simplify the prior authorization process for providers and reduce confusion and lead to more timely access for patients. We support many of the proposals outlined in the proposed rule and support CMS’s efforts to improve alignment of standards across payers. We note that the proposed rule does not extend these new requirements to Part D plans, and we encourage CMS to address this in future rulemaking. See attached comments.