After hospitals and providers denounced as too small CMS’ proposed 2023 pay increase, released in April as part of the Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure responded to the criticism. Hospitals and providers have taken the stance that the 3.2% increase in payments to hospitals is too little to outweigh increasing costs. Brooks-LaSure defended the increase, citing requirements when making payments under the traditional Medicare payment system and the goal to move toward paying hospitals for whole-person patient care. Stakeholders have been asked to provide comments on the rule through June 17.