New York congressional delegation urges CMS to halt Medicare home health payment cuts

A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers has formally called on CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to stop pending Medicare cuts to home health payments slated for 2027. In a letter cited by McKnights Home Care, the delegation argues the reductions threaten access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas. This political pressure highlights the ongoing tension between CMS's budget-neutral payment models and provider sustainability. While the appeal is specific to home health, it reflects broader congressional scrutiny of Medicare rate-setting that could influence future policy debates affecting all provider types. The CMS final rule on home health payments for 2027 will reveal whether this lobbying effort changes the agency's course.