Literature Review

PARC Retreat explores how aging, workforce strains, and federal debt are reshaping U.S. health care Penn LDI - Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics; by Hoag Levins; 5/13/26 Penn Gathering of Experts Examines the Growing Pressures Facing Older Americans In predicting the future of U.S. health care, it is important to recognize that the long-term health of the population depends not just on medical policy, innovation, or care delivery, but on whether the federal government can sustainably finance the systems that pay for that care, Penn Wharton School Professor and national budget expert Kent Smetters, PhD, told the May 1, 2026 Penn Population Aging Research Center Annual Retreat. 

US halting Medicare enrollments for new home healthcare and hospice providers Reuters; by Jody Godoy; 5/13/26 The Trump administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers on Wednesday from enrolling in Medicare, a senior administration official said, citing concerns about widespread fraud. The nationwide moratorium is the latest move by Vice President JD Vance's anti-fraud task force to crack down on healthcare scams, including those that affect Medicare, a U.S. government program providing health insurance to elderly and disabled Americans.

Baylor students learn care as healing in hospice class Waco Tribune-Herald, Waco, TX; by Carl Hoover; 5/12/26 A spring class for Baylor University medical humanities students put them in contact with something that medical training often skirts around: people who are dying and beyond what medicine can heal. The class, a partnership between Baylor and Providence Hospice, exposes students to the dynamics of hospice care through weekly contact with hospice patients, shadowing the routines of social workers, hospice workers and chaplains, plus and regular group discussions with classmates on their experiences. The hospice class was the brainchild of former Baylor medical humanities professor Bill Hoy, who started the class in 2020, recalled Sonya Wilson. Wilson, the volunteer coordinator for Providence Hospice, continues to teach the hospice class in collaboration with Baylor post-doctorate teaching fellow Levi Durham.Editor's Note: Recent newsletter posts about Dr. Bill Hoy include "Bridging the differences in care for grieving people: Worden’s differentiation between grief counseling and grief therapy" and "Not everything that can be counted ..."

The Alliance responds to CMS’s announcement of nationwide enrollment moratoria on hospice and home health providers  National Alliance for Care at Home | The Alliance; Press Release; 5/13/26 On May 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a six-month national moratorium on hospice and home health enrollment in response to program integrity concerns within the Medicare programs. While the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) strongly supports efforts to root out bad actors who exploit these essential programs, undermine confidence in care at home, and threaten the patients and families who depend on it, the Alliance has long advocated for targeted strategies that distinguish between high-fraud markets and communities where fraud is not an identified problem and patients already face shortages of providers. 

NPHI commends CMS action to implement temporary nationwide hospice moratorium to strengthen hospice program integrity National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation | NPHI, Washington, DC; Press Release; 5/13/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the national voice for nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care, applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) announcement of a temporary six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare hospice enrollments that will help stop fraudulent operators from exploiting the Medicare hospice benefit. NPHI was the first organization in the nation to publicly call for a temporary nationwide moratorium, formally urging CMS to take this action in a March 25, 2026 letter sent to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Deputy Administrator and COO Kim Brandt.

US halting Medicare enrollments for new home healthcare and hospice providers Reuters; by Jody Godoy; 5/13/26 The Trump administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers on Wednesday from enrolling in Medicare, a senior administration official said, citing concerns about widespread fraud. The nationwide moratorium is the latest move by Vice President JD Vance's anti-fraud task force to crack down on healthcare scams, including those that affect Medicare, a U.S. government program providing health insurance to elderly and disabled Americans.

Valley Hospice receives $150,000 grant Your Ohio News; Press Release; 5/11/26 Valley Hospice recently received a $150,000 anonymous grant to support its Caring Connections Palliative Care Program, allowing the organization to expand care and support for patients and families across the region. “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary gift. This $150,000 donation ensures that our growing community-based palliative care program can continue to meet the expanding needs of those we serve,” said Andrea Hale, Valley Hospice CEO. 

Children’s Minnesota establishes first endowed chair for pain, palliative care and integrative medicine program BusinessWire, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; Press Release; 5/7/26 Children’s Minnesota is pleased to announce a new investment in easing pain and improving comfort for children facing serious illness. Thanks to a generous $2 million gift from the Hanson family, the health system has established its first endowed chair dedicated to pediatric pain, palliative care and integrative medicine. Kris Catrine, MD, medical director of Children’s Minnesota’s pain, palliative care and integrative medicine (PPCIM) program, has been named the inaugural holder of the Hanson Family Endowed Chair in Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine.

Partners In Care announces new Chief Executive Officer Cascade Business News - CBN; Press Release by CBN; 5/12/26 Partners In Care, the leading nonprofit hospice, home health, and palliative care provider, recently announced the appointment of John Weinsheim as its next chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026, and the upcoming retirement of current CEO Greg Hagfors, who has led the organization since 2022. The selection followed a rigorous search process that recognized exceptional talent and reflected the remarkable depth of leadership that exists at Partners In Care.

Having a vision for your life allows you to live out of hope, rather than out of your fears. ~ Stedman Graham

Palliative care and age-friendly care - CAPC Position Statement CAPC | Center to Advance Palliative Care; Position Statement; 5/11/26 The U.S. health care system is evolving to better meet the needs of a rapidly growing aging population by advancing age-friendly care. CAPC’s position statement outlines how palliative care can accelerate IHI recognition and support success with CMS measures. It also offers practical recommendations for leaders and policymakers to integrate palliative care into age-friendly care.

New Windsor American Legion Post 1796 raised nearly $10,000 for Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Westfair Business Journal; by Westfair Online; 5/8/26 Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties was the beneficiary of a dinner fundraiser hosted by New Windsor American Legion Post 1796 on March 28, raising nearly $10,000 to support patients and families receiving end-of-life care. More than 150 dinners were served during the evening, with proceeds generated through ticket sales, raffles, sponsorships and donations. ... “We are deeply appreciative of the New Windsor American Legion and everyone who contributed to this event,” said Eric Gatsik, president and CEO of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties.  

Relationships, not power, drive you forward. ~ Kim Malone Scott