Friday, April 9, 2021 This Week’s Dose Congress is out of session this week, but the Senate Parliamentarian reportedly ruled that lawmakers may pursue an additional reconciliation package for fiscal year (FY) 2021, a decision that is likely to shape legislative efforts for the remainder of the year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released annual payment rules, including the FY 2022 proposed payment rule for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). Administration CMS Released Proposed FY 2022 IRF Rule CMS estimates that the proposed rule would increase payments to IRFs by 1.8%, or approximately $160 million, nationwide in FY 2022 over FY 2021. The rule also proposes adjustment to the IRF quality reporting program, including modifying the number of quarters used to report on certain quality measures due to the public health emergency. In line with the President’s Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the proposed rule also includes a request for information seeking comments on revising measure development and the collection of Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements to address health equity in IRFs. More information on the proposed changes is available here. The proposed rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on April 12 and comments are due on June 7, 2021.