On December 23, 2010, CMS published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking soliciting comments on the need for a proposed rule to address two policies related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Specifically, CMS is requesting comments regarding its need to revisit rules adopted in 2003 and 2008 concerning the applicability of EMTALA to hospital inpatients and the responsibilities of hospitals with specialized capabilities, respectively. CMS states that there have been different interpretations regarding the applicability of EMTALA once an individual has been admitted to a hospital. CMS also notes continued questions regarding whether EMTALA should apply when a hospital transfers an individual, who was admitted as a hospital inpatient after seeking treatment for an emergency medical condition, to a hospital with specialized capabilities because the admitted inpatient continues to have an unstabilized emergency medical condition requiring specialized treatment. CMS will accept comments on these issues until February 22, 2011.