What: On January 29, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and request for information (RFI) seeking comment on a possible new “Secure American Medical Supplies” designation that could be earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to domestic procurement.
Why: CMS’s RFI solicits public input on the following questions:
- The appropriateness of a “Secure American Medical Supplies” friendly hospital designation to facilitate the creation of streamlined payment policies to bolster the domestic supply chain.
- Potentially useful alternatives to self-attestation? How could hospitals be asked to provide proof that they purchased from domestic suppliers? Could hospital accreditors, group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or some other entity be better positioned to administer oversight of the designation?
- What is the most appropriate definition of domestic for personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medicines, respectively?
- PPE Designation standards?
- What methods could we use to audit statements from hospitals or manufacturers that PPE and essential medicines are made in the U.S.A. using ingredients and components produced in the U.S.A.?
- What standards designation might be appropriate?
- Domestic manufacturing and production of essential medicine active pharmaceutical ingredients?
- Preferred measures for determining whether products are domestic?
- How can manufacturers designate if their product is wholly domestically made?
- How do purchasers currently identify domestic PPE and domestic essential medicines? How could this be improved? What is the role of third-party distributors vs. direct procurement from individual manufacturers?
- For hospitals purchasing PPE and essential medicines through GPOs or other third parties, what barriers would such hospitals face in meeting the requirements of a “Secure American Medical Supplies” friendly designation? How could these barriers be addressed?
- Implementation/Phase-In schedules?
- Accommodation and flexibility allowances for supply chain disruptions.
Action: Comments are due to CMS on or before March 30, 2026.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:
CONTACT:
Will Purcell
EMAIL:
TOPIC(S):
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