National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; by Crystal Peruski; 2/18/25 
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designates March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. To learn more about the Vietnam War Commemoration, visit the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration | Vietnam War Commemoration. 
Editor's note: Mark your calendars. Engage your volunteers who serve veterans. How might this intersect with your intergenerational employees and volunteers? Note that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. For support specific to hospice and grief care:

• We Honor Veterans program of the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance, formerly NHPCO and NAHC)
• Veterans: Resources Guide for Hospice & Palliative Care Veterans, Families, and Caregivers, by the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)
• Online Group: Vietnam Era Survivors, provided by T*A*P*S - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; "Whether you are the Surviving Widow, Widower, Former Partner or Significant Other grieving the loss of a Vietnam Veteran, you belong"

Rob and Karen Hale donate $1 million to NVAN and Hospice to advance hospice care 
The Anchor, Hignahm, MA; by Staff Writer; 2/25/25 
Rob and Karen Hale have made a $1 million donation to NVNA and Hospice, furthering their commitment to improving healthcare access on the South Shore. This latest gift, separate from their Fox Rock Foundation’s previous $1 million endowment in 2022, will support hospice care initiatives in two key ways: $500,000 will be added to the endowment, while the remaining $500,000 is unrestricted funding to enhance hospice services. “We believe strongly in patient care access for everyone, and NVNA and Hospice is investing in that priority for hospice services,” said Karen Hale.  

The journey to elite leadership  with Mike Harbour 
Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 2/26/25 
In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership podcast, Chris Comeaux and Mike Harbour explore the themes of leadership, personal growth, and the essence of elite leadership.  Mike shares his insights on perseverance, self-mastery, and evaluating experiences to foster growth.  They discuss the concept of elite leadership, emphasizing the need for integrity, vision, and empowerment in leadership roles. The conversation culminates in practical advice for aspiring leaders on developing traits contributing to elite leadership.  Then, it highlights Mike’s unique upcoming Elite Leadership Summit in Colorado in April, which aims to foster growth and connection among leaders in a unique and picturesque setting. Join us; many leadership pearls of wisdom are packed into this episode. 

New hospice facility to enhance care in Zanesville 
NBC WHIZ and Fox 5, Zanesville, OH; by Shylin Costello; 2/26/25 
A new era of compassionate care is on the horizon as Genesis prepares to build a brand-new hospice care facility on Ashland Avenue in Zanesville. The project comes as the Morrison House, Genesis’ current hospice unit, continues to age. The new facility will enhance hospice care services in the community and provide a more comforting environment for patients and their loved ones. ... “Literally thousands of people have been touched by services at the Morrison House over the last 30 some years. ... Being able to sustain that mission in a new facility is priceless,” CEO of Genesis, Matt Perry said.

Amedisys sees hospice growth as DOJ-UnitedHealth Group lawsuit looms 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/27/25 
Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) saw hospice revenue growth during the fourth quarter of 2024 despite merger-related costs associated with its pending acquisition by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). The company’s hospice business saw net service revenues of $21.29 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, up from $20.6 million year over year. For the full year 2024, net service revenue reached $82.58 million, an increase from $79.8 million in 2023. ... On a consolidated basis, company-wide net service revenue hit $59.8 million in Q4, up from $57 million in the prior year’s period. These results come as Amedisys and UnitedHealth Group are embroiled in a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department intended to block their potentially forthcoming acquisition due to antitrust concerns.

Palliative care advocates at the World Health Organization executive board meeting 
ehospice; by Stephen Connor, Executive Director, Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA); 2/19/25 
The World Health Organization (WHO) is in turmoil with the planned withdrawal of funding and membership from the USA. About 20% of the WHO budget is from the US and withdrawal of all USAID funding is causing serious problems worldwide. Many member states are increasing their dues to WHO to help offset this loss, but these are difficult times for public health. These issues were front and center at the meeting of the WHO Executive Board 3-11 February. .. The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) are the two organizations presently in official relations with WHO and we work together to cover the many health issues. 
Editor's note: For current information from USAID, visit www.usaid.gov. 

Wishing that your patient would die: Reasons and reactions 
Psychiatrist.com - Rounds in the General Hospital; by Yelizaveta Sher, MD; Filza Hussain, MD; Benjamin J. Hoover, MD; Matthew Gunther, MD, MA; Daniel O. Fishman, MD; Mira Zein, MD; Jose R. Maldonado, MD; Theodore A. Stern, MD; 2/25/25 
Have you ever had a patient suffer so much that you wanted them to die? Have you wondered whether such thoughts and feelings are acceptable? Have you been uncertain about how you could manage your guilt over such thoughts? Have you been unsure about how to best advocate for a patient whose medical care is futile? If you have, the following case vignette and discussion should prove useful. ...

• What Is Meant by Medical Futility? ...
• Who Decides That Medical Care Is Futile? ... 
• How Can a Ventilated or Delirious Patient Be Assessed for Capacity to Make Medical Decisions? ...
• What Happens When Clinical Decisions Are Influenced by the Needs of the Transplant Program? ... 
• Is It Acceptable for Clinicians to Wish for Their Patients to Die? ...
• How Can Clinicians Learn to Approach End-of-Life Discussions and Decisions in the Setting of Conflicting Staff Views? ...
• How Often Do Complex Cases Result in Disturbing Discussions? ...
• Who Can You Turn to When Uncertain About What Path to Take? ...
• Are End-of-Life Discussions Held Only in ICUs? ...
• When Should a Patient First Assign Their Health Care Proxy and Create a Living Will? ...
• Does Conducting End-of-Life Decisions Contribute to Burnout? ...
• Are Clinicians Liable for Disregarding the Views of the Family or the Patient? ...

Local veterans to be honored at pinning ceremonies 
Call & Times, East Providence, RI; by John Baker, Pawtucket Times; 2/26/25 
It never gets old for Christine Miller. Whenever she places a commemorative pin on a Vietnam War veteran and sees their reaction to it, it warms her heart, sometimes even bringing her to tears. That’s one of the best parts of her job as Beacon Hospice Care Community Engagement Coordinator, which later filtered into her becoming the president of the Rhode Island Hospice Veterans Partnership, which she herself founded. Miller, a Pawtucket resident, announced recently that, with Vietnam War Veterans Day coming up on Saturday, March 29, she will conduct a few [pinning ceremonies] ... 
Editor's note: Access to the full article may be limited. Pair this with today's post, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025. 

House sets up potential Medicaid cuts with budget bill passage 
Modern Healthcare; by Michael McAuliff; 2/25/25 
Republicans in the House took the first step Tuesday [2/25] toward steep potential healthcare cuts, passing a budget resolution that aims to trim spending by at least $1.5 trillion while also adding trillions to the debt to fund tax cuts. The House voted 217-215 on nearly party lines to begin what is known as budget reconciliation, passing a budget resolution that instructs committees to come up with cuts or extend tax cuts that largely benefit the wealthy. The bill mandates the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and Medicare, come up with the majority of the savings, and cut $880 billion.

Montana House considers bill to put more sideboards on medical assistance in dying 
NBC KPVI-6, Pocatello, ID; by Darrell Ehrlick; 2/26/25 
... On Wednesday, in a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee that was full of as much testimony as tears, opponents and supporters of medical aid in dying, sometimes called “physician-assisted suicide,” discussed House Bill 637, which would codify requirements for physicians to use the process. ... Demonstrating the often complex political issue that can’t be broken down by party lines, Rep. Ed Stafman, D-Bozeman, who is also a lawyer and rabbi, said he was truly conflicted on the bill, and wondered how Juras, also an attorney, viewed the proposed legislation in light of the state constitution’s right to dignity. ... Testimony from medical professionals ranged from strong support to opposition,  ... [Click here for] Here's what [Montana] House Bill 637 would do ...

7 hospital closures in 2025 
Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Madeline Ashley; 2/25/25 
... Following a trend of 25 hospital closures reported on by Becker's in 2024, many facilities are being forced to close their doors due to changing community needs, rising operational costs and evolving care models. Becker's has reported on seven hospital and emergency department closures in 2025:

1. New York City-based Mount Sinai's Beth Israel will close March 26 ...
2. Irving, Texas-based Christus Health will shutter its Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Medical Center in San Antonio, effective April 25 ...
3. Washington, D.C.-based United Medical Center will close April 15 and lay off 485 employees ...
4. Orlando (Fla.) Health will shutter Rockledge Hospital and four hospital-based outpatient departments on April 22
5. Moulton, Ala.-based Lawrence Medical Center will end inpatient and emergency services by mid-2025 ...
6. Pauls Valley, Okla.-based Valley Community Hospital closed Jan. 8.
7. Sharon (Pa.) Regional Hospital, part of Dallas-based Steward Health Care, closed Jan. 5 and laid off 848 employees ...

Hospitals may buckle under 'tsunami' of patients 
Modern Healthcare; by Alex Kacik; 2/25/25 
Health systems are treating sicker patients, straining already full emergency departments and inpatient units. Many health systems are struggling to keep up with the increasingly complex healthcare needs of an aging population, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms and delays in care. Providers are ramping up strategies to treat patients more efficiently and keep those who aren't as sick out of emergency departments. These strategies are critical as capacity wanes and providers face a potential decline in federal healthcare funding, executives said. Health systems are revamping patient admission and discharge processes; bolstering virtual, home and urgent care offerings; expanding clinician recruitment efforts and adding observation beds. But providers are concerned they won't be able to act quickly enough to meet the growing demand for care.

These Portland-area hospice patients need goods. Do you know how to knit or sew? 
Portland Tribune, West Linn, OR; by Hannah Seibold; 2/26/25 
Dust off those sewing machines or grab a knitting needle because Positive Charge! PDX is inviting Portland-area folks to help those in hospice. The Stitches for Hospice project calls on Portland metro-area crafters — from beginner to expert — to sew or knit adult clothing protectors (bibs) and catheter bag covers for terminally ill neighbors and folks being served by hospice programs. “As a retired hospice social worker, I’ve seen firsthand over many years how fragile dignity can be in the final months and weeks of a person’s life. I wanted to do something that would enhance that dignity and brought the idea to Positive Charge! PDX. With a history of amplifying kindness with ‘crafting for causes’ projects—they ran with it,” said Maggie Alberton, a donor to the program.

UnitedHealth Group's year of DOJ probes, layoffs and backlash 
Modern Healthcare; by Lauren Berryman; 2/24/25 
UnitedHealth Group has faced an unprecedented past year, navigating events that have tested its finances, operations and reputation. Here is a timeline of key events during the company’s past 12 months. [Click here and scroll down to the timeline with links to Modern Healthcare's articles through the year.]

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. ~ Michael Jordan 
Honoring Black History Month 2025
Moving into March Madness 2025!