Comment on CMS-2026-1454-0001
Dianne BourqueOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter expresses concern that replacing independent inspections with self-attestation for free-standing RHCs could compromise patient safety and quality of care. They argue that the proposed change is ill-advised because these facilities lack the hospital-based resources necessary to ensure compliance without external oversight.
It is worrisome to think that free-standing RHCs, which lack hospital-based quality and compliance resources, will not be surveyed by an independent inspector. Some of these facilities serve our most vulnerable citizens, and any measures taken to save time or cut costs may directly impact patient quality and safety. The facility, staff, services, and medical records need to be reviewed on occasion to ensure compliance with minimum standards. This change in process is ill-advised and dangerous.