An example from my workdesk this morning where Chat GPT beats Google.
CMS has a statute - buried somewhere - that it must finalize notice & comment proposals within three years, or they expire.
I asked Google, and it gave me no help.
I asked Chat GPT, and it answered instantly.
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Here's Google, click to enlarge. cms must finalize proposed regulations within 3 years statute
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Here's Chat GPT:
There is a clause in the Medicare statute (Social Security Act) requiring policy proposals to be finalized within 3 years. Can you tell me where that is?
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Yes — the clause you're referring to is Section 1871(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act, which sets a 3-year deadline for the finalization of certain Medicare regulations.
Here’s the relevant language:
Section 1871(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 1395hh(a)(3)(B)]:
If the Secretary publishes a proposed rule (including any proposed rule that the Secretary is required to publish under paragraph (2)) and does not issue a final rule within 3 years after the date of the publication of the proposed rule, such proposed rule shall be deemed withdrawn unless the Secretary publishes a notice of continuation explaining why the rule has not been finalized and the timeline for finalization.
Key Points:
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Applies to Medicare regulations published through notice-and-comment rulemaking.
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If a final rule is not published within 3 years of the proposed rule’s publication, the proposed rule is withdrawn by law.
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The Secretary may issue a notice of continuation to keep it alive, but must explain the delay and provide a timeline.
This clause was added in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) to prevent indefinite delays in finalizing policies.
Let me know if you want the full citation or legislative history — happy to dig deeper.
