Literature Review

Make every dollar count: Budget strategies you can implementCHAP blog; by Daniel Stephens, Jan Sweat; 8/22/25Every leader knows the feeling. Budget season rolls around, and suddenly you’re staring at spreadsheets, deadlines, and targets that don’t always add up to reality. Too often, the process becomes about filling in boxes instead of creating a plan that actually drives growth. But a budget isn’t just numbers, it’s your strategy in action. When approached the right way, it forces you to step back and ask: Where have we been? Where are we today? And where do we want to go? That’s where budgeting shifts from wishful thinking to purposeful planning.

HHS launches committee to shape Medicare, MedicaidBecker's Payer Issues; by Andrew Cass; 8/22/25HHS and CMS are establishing a panel of experts tasked with providing recommendations on how to “improve how care is financed and delivered” across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the ACA’s exchanges... “This committee will help us cut waste, reduce paperwork, expand preventive care, and modernize CMS programs with real-time data and accountability, all while keeping patients at the center,” Dr. Oz said in the release.Publisher's note: Click here for additional information or to apply to particiate on this Technical Expert Panel.

Switching your mentality from "why is this happening to me?" to "what is this trying to teach me?" is a game changer. ~Tips that change your life

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Announces Pierre M. Désy, MPH, CAE, as New Chief Executive OfficerIn late July, Pierre Désy, MPH, CAE became the new CEO of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Désy recently served as CEO of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and the Foundation for Women's Cancer (FWC), where he led the development and implementation of strategic plans, revised bylaws, improved governance models, and advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives. Désy previously held executive leadership roles with the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS) and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). He has also served as a management consultant and coach, supporting healthcare associations and professionals in improving performance and achieving excellence. Désy said, "I am particularly energized to be part of an organization where I can bring together my public health background and decades of association management experience, and work alongside a team that shares my passion for building partnerships, advancing health equity, and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration to expand access to quality care. I am impressed by the work that has been accomplished by the Academy and look forward to working together to further its mission."Guest Editor Note, Ira Byock, MD: Mr. Désy’s public health background and substantial experience in executive roles of national specialty groups positions him well to lead AAHPM during this turbulent period in American healthcare. Hopefully, with his guidance the Academy will find ways to respond to the variability in access to and quality of hospice and palliative services and the widespread persistence of unmet needs among seriously ill and dying Americans.

Sick doctors: Don’t be the kind of patient you hateMedscape; by Eric Spitznagel; 8/18/25On a frigid November night in 2018, Michelle Sullivan came home from dinner with friends, took the dog out, and suddenly felt something off. “I walked outside, and I could feel my heart go into an odd rhythm,” says Sullivan, an osteopath from southern Illinois whose husband, Bill, is an emergency physician... “I said, ‘I don’t think I have time for an EKG. Something’s really wrong.’” When they hit the ER doors, her heart rate was 180. “I said, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to make it. I feel like I’m going to die right here,’” Sullivan recalls. “They hooked me up, and I said, ‘It’s AFib [atrial fibrillation], isn’t it?’ Yeah. It was AFib.” And then…nothing. No one came in. No crash cart, no orders - and this was her hospital. “Finally, Bill runs out into the hallway and says, ‘I’m sorry, can somebody please get in here?’”Publisher's note: This is part of a Medscape series titled "Dr. Patient" describing what it's like when healthcare professionals become patients. From a hospice perspective, does your hospice provide the quality of care you would want for yourself or a loved one?

Social relationships and end-of-life quality among older adults in the United States: The impacts of marital, kinship, and network tiesThe Journals of Gerontology; by Kafayat Mahmoud, Deborah Carr; 7/25We examine marital status differences in recent decedents’ end-of-life care and gender differences therein, and the role of other social ties (children, siblings, network members) in influencing the quality of end-of-life care. Divorced decedents fared poorly on multiple outcomes, being less likely than married or widowed persons to receive excellent care and to have personal care needs met. Divorced and widowed decedents were less likely to receive respectful treatment relative to married decedents. We found no significant gender differences in these patterns. Persons with more siblings and network members had superior pain management. Hospital patient advocates could also aid those who lack close kin at the end of life.

BrightSpring taking modest approach to M&A in 2025 Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/15/25 BrightSpring Health Services (Nasdaq: BTSG) is taking a slow and steady look at acquisition opportunities through the remainder of the year. The company is allowing the dust to settle on the divestiture of its community living business to Setiva for $835 million before once again investing heavily in acquisitions, according to CEO, President and Chairman Jon Rousseau. The divestiture is expected to close in the fourth quarter. But that doesn’t mean that BrightSpring is out of the market for deals. 

Addressing hospice care Medicare fraud: Awareness and actionInvestors Hangout; by Lucas Young; 8/18/25 The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide) is an impactful 53-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to assisting approximately 2.5 million senior citizens. Recently, they have spotlighted a concerning trend in their monthly Medicare Fraud identification: Hospice Care Medicare Fraud. This initiative is part of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which equips older adults and their caregivers with the knowledge to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. StateWide administers this program for New York State, acting as a crucial resource for senior citizens across the region. [This article provides simple, clear facts for the public.]

Pennant Group expands through Amedisys acquisition Pulivarthi Group; 8/12/25In a significant shift within the healthcare landscape, the Pennant Group has announced its intention to acquire home health and hospice agencies presently owned by Amedisys and UnitedHealth. This move marks an essential strategic expansion into the Southeast U.S., a region already experiencing increasing demand for quality home health services. ... This post provides an in-depth analysis of the home health acquisition landscape while addressing key challenges such as reimbursement issues, staff retention, and access to care for vulnerable patients.

Caregiver-reported barriers and facilitators to hospice enrollment for persons with dementia: A systematic review of qualitative evidencePalliative Medicine; by Oonjee Oh, Connie M Ulrich, Lauren Massimo, George Demiris; 7/25Despite the increasing prevalence of dementia, persons with dementia often receive suboptimal care near the end of life. Dementia caregivers experience intrapersonal, interpersonal, emotional, logistical, and physical challenges in ensuring quality end-of-life support for their loved one (e.g. limited understanding of end-stage dementia, gatekeeping providers, and family conflicts). The unique needs of caregivers caring for a seriously ill family member with dementia are not being fully addressed by the current available services and policies.

Palliative care plays an essential role in heart failure care Cardiovascular Business; by Michael Walter; 8/13/25 Palliative care should play a significant role in the day-to-day management of heart failure (HF) patients, according to new recommendations from the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA). HF patients are associated with high mortality and a considerably worse quality of life, the group wrote. Care teams should be doing everything in their power to help patients control their symptoms and live the best lives possible. The HFSA guidance is available in full in the Journal of Cardiac Failure. ... “When using a guide, conversations are more likely to be feasible, acceptable and associated with positive experiences for both patients and clinicians,” the authors wrote.

350 health groups urge Congress to extend Medicare telehealth MedCityNews; by Marissa Plescia; 8/14/25 A group of 350 organizations, including the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, are urging Congress to make Medicare telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent, or at least extend them for two years. In a letter to congressional leaders, the organizations emphasize the importance of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with chronic conditions or in rural areas, and highlight the potential impact on health care access and infrastructure. Guest Editor’s Note, Judi Lund Person: Unless there is Congressional action after the August recess to extend the hospice face-to-face requirement through telehealth, that option will conclude on September 30, 2025.