CMS proposes removing the MIPS improvement activity for improving care for LGBTQ patients (CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule)

90 FR 32352 (July 16, 2025), CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. Among eight improvement activities proposed for removal from MIPS beginning with the CY 2026 performance period is IA_AHE_11, 'Create and Implement a Plan to Improve Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Patients' (in the improvement-activities removal discussion, with the list repeated in the regulatory summary). CMS justifies removal as 'obsolete' under 42 CFR 414.1355(d)(7); the same list removes the anti-racism and health-equity activities. The notice does not cite EO 14168 for this item. Whether the final rule kept the removal was not checked.