Literature Review

Unity raises nearly $95,000 during Give Big Green Bay 2026 The Chamber of Manitowoc County; Press Release; 4/20/26 Unity is celebrating the impact of this year’s Give BIG Green Bay campaign, which generated $94,786 in support of compassionate end-of-life care and grief support services across Northeast Wisconsin. During the 24-hour giving event, 362 donors contributed $78,435 directly to Unity, with an additional $16,786 in matching funds and incentives through Give BIG Green Bay, hosted by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. 

Hospice Fraud Briefing: one page summaryLund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting; by Judi Lund Person; 4/16/26 Download this one-page, detailed summary of Top Cases, Total Losses, and Dominant Schemes from April 2025-2026.

South Surrey hospice thrift shop getting crafty with fundraising Europe Says; 4/21/26A new initiative launching at the Peace Arch Hospice Thrift Store in time for Mother’s Day will showcase the heartfelt talents of volunteers, staff and patrons to help boost funds raised at the shop in support of hospice programs and services. Handmade with Love was inspired by a volunteer who offered up “beautiful” aprons she’d made, suggesting the store could sell them as possible gifts for the occasion. ... The idea sparked excitement, and a flurry of conversation and brainstorming that followed quickly transformed it. ... Robbins said another positive of the initiative is the opportunity it creates for crafty folks who want to support hospice but are physically unable to volunteer at the store or give cash donations. ... With a story behind each piece, it is “a reflection of the care, creativity, and connection that defines our hospice community,” a news release states.

How a pickleball injury highlights fraud in California's hospice industry ArcaMax; by Richard Winton; 4/21/26 Lynn Ianni didn't learn she was apparently dying in a Los Angeles County hospice care facility until her Medicare claim for a pickleball injury was rejected. "At first we laughed because it was an obvious clerical error," the Seattle-based psychotherapist recalled before a congressional committee Tuesday, where she was providing testimony about her months-long experience in 2024 with fraud in the hospice industry. "It wasn't just frustrating, it was terrifying." Ianni appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill at a hearing that revealed details about fake claims and stolen doctors' identities. She was a victim of California hospice scammers. 

VITAS® Healthcare breaks ground on new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie's Tradition community PR Newswire, Port St. Luci, FL; Press Release; 4/22/26 As Florida's aging population continues to grow, increasing demand for inpatient hospice care, VITAS Healthcare, the nation's leading provider of end-of-life care, broke ground this week on a new inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie. Expected to open in 2027, the new 14,000-square-foot facility will expand access to comfort-focused inpatient hospice care for individuals whose symptoms can no longer be managed at home, ensuring more families can receive expert care close to Florida's Treasure Coast. 

Future-proofing care: the challenges we face in hospice and palliative care | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/22/26In this special reverse-role episode, Chris Comeaux steps into the guest seat as Cordt Kassner leads a deep dive into one of the most comprehensive strategic frameworks developed for hospice and palliative care organizations which was developed by TCN and it’s members. In Part One of this forward-looking series, Chris unpacks the foundational challenges shaping the future of hospice and palliative care.  Drawing from nearly a decade of strategic research and collaboration with healthcare leaders, he introduces a powerful framework built around eight core challenges that every organization must navigate. From intensifying competition to shifting reimbursement models, this conversation equips leaders with a clearer lens to anticipate disruption and respond with intention.

What is a ‘green burial’? Plainfield Township is now offering them MLive, Palinfield Township, MI; by Danielle James; 4/14/26 Plainfield Township will soon allow “green burials” in its cemetery located at 6205 Packer Drive NE. The alternative method of burial has been described by some as more natural and environmentally conscious. Township leaders said when approving it, they also had to weigh the potential for additional complications. At a March meeting, Plainfield Township Board members signed off on a resolution that amended the cemetery ordinance to allow for green burials. On April 13, the board approved designated areas in the cemetery where the burials could take place. The alternative burials will still require township approval on a case-by-case basis.Editor's Note: We provide this in light of today's "Earth Day 2026" awareness and the growth of alternative burial processes. Related articles we have posted include:

Turning wishes into wonder - creating magic at home when dreams take a detour Hometown News, Treasure Coast, FL; by Mary Ann Ketcham; 4/19/26 Thanks to Treasure Coast Hospice, the dream of becoming princesses recently came true for 11-year-old Olivia and her younger sister Valerie. Olivia, a patient being cared for by Treasure Coast Hospice’s Little Treasures program, and her family were scheduled to set sail on a Disney Princess Cruise when unforeseen circumstances arose, resulting in them having to cancel the opportunity. Music Therapist Liz Lung learned of the heartbreaking news and gathered her Treasure Coast Hospice colleagues together to develop a plan to create a Princess Party Experience that would bring smiles and laughter to Olivia and her sister. 

Top graduate nursing programs for 2026: US News Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 4/7/26 U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 rankings of the nation’s best graduate nursing programs April 7, with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Emory University in Atlanta topping the lists for Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, respectively. The rankings are part of U.S. News‘ broader Best Graduate Schools rankings, which evaluate programs across disciplines including business, education, law, engineering, medicine and nursing using a combination of statistical indicators and peer assessments. ...

[United Kingdom] Tulip spectacle helping to prevent hospice cuts BBC News, Hillington, United Kingdom; by Zoe Applegate; 4/19/26 A sprawling striped patchwork of tulips has reopened to the public, raising money for a hospice that says it could be forced to cut services and jobs without the funding. About 9.1 million of the bell-shaped blooms now carpet 20 acres (8ha) near Sandringham, Norfolk, and should raise £500,000 for Tapping House hospice in nearby Hillington. ... Tapping House's chief executive, Niki Ellis, said if the event did not take place the charity would have to consider closing services or reducing staff numbers. ... The hospice head said the ticketed showstopping display, which once doubled as Munchkinland in Hollywood blockbuster Wicked, was its major fundraiser and also represented the spirit of its services.

Full committee hearing on protecting patients and taxpayers: cracking down on Medicare fraud United State House Committee on Ways & Means, Chairman Jason Smith; 4/21/26 The House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) held a hearing today [4/21] examining the prevalence of fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and efforts to combat fraud to protect patients and taxpayers.Full Committee Hearing: April 21, 2026, 10:00AM ET

Alliance statement on the Ways & Means Hearing examining fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 4/21/26 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) continues to support efforts by policymakers and regulators to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program. On April 21, the House Committee on Ways and Means hosted a hearing titled “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud.” The harm experienced by victims of Medicare fraud cannot be overstated. Hospice care exists to provide dignity, comfort, and support at the end of life. When bad actors exploit this trusted system, they don’t just harm individual patients — they erode confidence in the Medicare hospice benefit as a whole. Receiving care at home is the preferred choice for care by many patients and families, and home health plays a vital role in providing skilled care that improves health outcomes and reduces hospitalizations.