Literature Review

Art Dash draws crowd, raises funds for Oregon’s Serenity Hospice and Home Shaw Local News, Oregon, IL; Press Release4/10/26 The fifth annual Art Dash benefiting Serenity Hospice and Home was held April 8 at River’s Edge Experience, drawing more than 200 attendees for an evening of art, community, and philanthropy. ... Serenity CEO Suzanne Ravlin reflected on the event’s impact: “The Art Dash brings together art, community, and fundraising, but it has become much more. It is a celebration of generosity, connection, and the incredible impact we can make when we come together with purpose. Each piece of art tells a story – of humanity, love, struggle, beauty, and the moments that matter most. 

Oregon governor signs Hospice Licensure Bill (SB 1575)  LegiScan - Bringing People to the Process; by Oregon Senate Bill 1575; 4/7/26New law bars individuals excluded from Medicare/Medicaid or found liable for fraud from holding ownership interest in a hospice program. 

Attorney General Bonta dismantles Los Angeles hospice fraud ring responsible for $267 million in fraud, 21 charged Office of the Attorney General California Department of Justice - Rob Bonta, Los Angeles, CA; Press Release; 4/29/26 California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), today announced charges filed against 21 suspects and the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded California of $267 million. Operation Skip Trace resulted in the arrest of five people after ten different locations were searched in Southern California. In addition, two handguns and over $757,000 in cash were seized. “This isn’t a political game for us. This is about protecting taxpayer dollars, protecting the programs that sick and vulnerable Californians rely on, and protecting our state,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. 

Reminder: National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2026 Compilation by Hospice & Palliative Care Today; 4/10/26 National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16, 2026) is a nationwide initiative that encourages individuals to reflect on and communicate their healthcare preferences—especially for times when they may not be able to speak for themselves. It promotes meaningful conversations, advance care planning, and the completion of documents like advance directives to ensure care aligns with what matters most. Multiple resources are below:

Connecting palliative care and age‑friendly care to support what matters most Institute for Healthcare Improvement; by Marian Grant; 4/8/26 ... The 4Ms Framework of an Age-Friendly Health System identifies the core subjects that should drive the care of older adults. The 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) align with the approach of palliative care teams and are part of their comprehensive assessment. Age-friendly leaders and team members can use the expertise of palliative care colleagues to implement the 4Ms. Editor's Note: Click here for a great graphic of this "4Ms Framework." It states, "For related work, this graphic may be used in its entirety without requesting permission. Graphic files and guidance at www.ihi.org/AgeFriendly.

State associations urge CMS to forgo potential national hospice enrollment moratorium Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/10/26 A group of state hospice associations have expressed mounting concerns that a rumored national moratorium prohibiting new provider enrollments could adversely affect access. A letter to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was recently penned by the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA), the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC of NC) and the South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association (SCHCHA). A national moratorium, if enacted, would impact the ability for legitimate hospices to provide quality care during a time of rising demand, said FHPCA President and CEO Paul Ledford and Tim Rogers, president and CEO of SCHCHA and AHHC of NC. 

Hospice groups: 2.4% proposed pay raise threatens care delivery Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/3/26 Two of the nation’s largest hospice trade organizations decried a proposed 2.4% hospice base rate increase as inadequate in today’s financial climate. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday issued its proposed payment rule for hospices in 2027 containing a 2.4% payment increase. If finalized, this would result in a $785 million payment boost from Fiscal Year 2026. The amount of the proposed pay raise puts the sustainability of hospice care in jeopardy, according to Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy at LeadingAge.

Joan Teno’s SOS Hospice SubstackDr. Joan Teno is a health services researcher and practicing hospice physician. She started SOS Hospice as a space to share insights, data, and reflections about hospice care in the U.S. She seeks to connect research, policy, and real world experience to help make hospice care more transparent, understandable, and person centered.Guest Editor Note by Dr. Ira Byock: Joan Teno has been a prolific health delivery and policy researcher. She creatively mines public health and health services data to reveal patterns and trends of hospice use – and identifies opportunities to expand access and improve quality of care. Now she is bringing her skills and insights to this new Substack. To the data wonks among us, SOS Hospice is a compelling read. I subscribed immediately!Publisher's Note: I subscribed immediately, too!

Blending storytelling with education: Southampton author’s book sheds light on hospice and palliative care Daily Hampshire Gazette; by Sam Ferland; 3/3/26 When a loved one is dying, there is no specific script to freeze the flooding of emotions and decisions a family faces. But hospice nurse Maureen Groden believes bridges can be built through the power of storytelling to help guide families over the universal challenges faced as a loved one nears the end of life. “It’s about telling stories and listening to them too,” said Groden, who has more than 30 years of experience nursing in the Valley.

Moral distress and occupational burnout in US physicians JAMA Network; by Michael A. Tutty, PhD, MHA, Colin P. West, MD, PhD, Liselotte N. Dyrbye, MD, MHPE, Hanhan Wang, MPS, Lindsey E. Carlasare, MBA, Christine A. Sinsky, MD, Mickey Trockel, MD, PhD, Tait D. Shanafelt, MD; 3/24/26 Question: What is the level of moral distress and the association between burnout, intent to leave (ITL), and intent to reduce work hours (ITR) among physicians and US workers?Conclusion and Relevance:  In this survey study, moral distress was common among physicians and experienced at higher rates than the general US working population. Understanding the differences between moral distress and burnout may allow organizations to more effectively implement interventions to address both concerns among clinicians. 

Hospice of the Prairie & Prairie Home Health announces leadership transition The Dodge City Daily Globe, Dodge City, KS; by Tammy Lawson; 4/3/26 Dodge City Hospice of the Prairie & Prairie Home Health ... announces an Executive Director leadership transition. After 25 years of service, Julie Pinkerton, BS RN CHPN, will step down as Executive Director. ... Under Julie's leadership, the organization experienced growth through increased usage of home health and hospice care throughout the service area while establishing organizational sustainability, working closely with frontline clinicians and community partners.The organization is pleased to welcome Jeremy Rabe, MBA, as the new Executive Director of Hospice of the Prairie & Prairie Home Health. Jeremy brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership. ... Jeremy will begin his role as Executive Director on June 1 with Julie leaving the organization later in the summer.

Sunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!