Literature Review

NPHI concludes record-setting 2026 Summit “Quality in Action” in Chicago National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Chicago, IL; Press Release; 5/2/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the national voice for nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care, has concluded its 2026 Summit, Quality in Action, at the Chicago Marriott Marquis — marking the largest gathering in the organization’s history. Over three days, nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care leaders from across the country came together around a shared commitment to Quality in Action. The Summit created space for candid discussion and practical exchange, with a clear focus on how nonprofit hospice and advanced illness providers will continue to lead in delivering high-quality, community-based care for patients and their families.

Healthcare leaders break down hospice reform, Medicare & quality care | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Tom Koutsoumpas and Carole Fisher; 5/6/26 In Part One of Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally respected healthcare leaders Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI and Carole Fisher, President of NPHI to explore the evolving future of hospice, palliative care, Medicare oversight, and the growing demand for quality-driven, compassionate healthcare leadership. Together, they unpack the growing challenges facing end-of-life care — from fraud and benefit manipulation to the urgent need for quality transparency and authentic patient-centered care.

Final arrangements | What happens if I can’t afford a funeral? Fox Carolina, Anderson County, SC; by Amanda Shaw; 5/5/26 ... Two hundred and twelve names are on a memorial wall at the Anderson County cemetery. Each one represents a person who died with no one, or no money, to bury them. This year, Anderson County is on track to add more names than ever before. “Every one of these people on this wall gave something here,” McCown said. “They gave something to our society. They gave something to somebody else.” At the center of the wall is a plaque for the names no one will ever know. McCown said the life stories of those memorialized would surprise people. ... On average, Anderson County handles between 28 and 35 indigent burials a year. This year, they are on track to shatter that record, with 26 indigent cremations already reported.

CMS trains its program integrity sights on Texas Hospices JD Supra; by B. Scott McBride and Howard Young; 5/5/26 California has seen hundreds of hospice “takedowns” and Medicare payment suspensions targeting what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proclaims are a multitude of fraudulent hospices, particularly in LA County. Now, based on recent public statements of CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, it appears CMS is poised to train its sights on fraud, waste, and abuse among Texas hospice agencies.

New tech lets home carers and hospice providers communicate better, more safely Columbia Basin Herald Local News, Wenatchee, WA; by Joel Martin; 5/6/26 Anyone who’s ever had to deal with communication between medical providers, home caregivers and Medicare or insurance knows the frustration of trying to get everybody on the same page. A new system debuted by Confluence Health is expected to make those connections easier and safer. “Suppose a patient fell and (injured themselves) and they go in for (treatment),” said Adam MacDonald, corporate communications program manager for Confluence Health. “This is going to make it so their home health and hospice nurses are looking at the exact same record.”

How do physicians perceive and manage the influence of their personal end-of-life preferences on clinical practice and end-of-life decision-making with patients? An international qualitative study  Health and Medicine Daily | Palliative Care and Social Practice; research portion by Sarah Mroz, Frederick Daenen, and Kenneth Chambaere; 5/5/26 ... Physicians acknowledge the impact of their personal end-of-life preferences on their clinical practice and emphasize the importance of maintaining objectivity and centering decision-making on patient preferences. Physicians adopt strategies to mitigate potential biases. There is a divergence of opinion about whether it is appropriate to share when asked what they would do in the position of their patients. Most believe focusing on patients' values and priorities is essential and others feel sharing is crucial to maintain trust. Physicians struggle with ethical tensions and moral discomfort, particularly when patients' requests conflict with their beliefs. ...

Ambassador spotlight: Jill Nida’s lifelong commitment to Hospice of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA; by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 5/5/26 For more than three decades, Jill Nida has been a steadfast advocate, volunteer, and champion for Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB). Her leadership and generosity have helped shape the organization into what it is today, and her personal story is deeply woven into its mission.  ...

Mother's Day support for hospice families

[UK] Dorset hospice and community choir charities announce merger CivilSociety; by Alex Turner; 4/30/26 Two Dorset-based charities, one providing hospice care and the other a community choir supporting people living with cancer, have announced a merger. Lewis-Manning Hospice Care said this week that the “exciting new step” will “bring together clinical excellence in palliative care with the powerful therapeutic and community benefits of music and singing.” Rising Voices Wessex, based in Poole, added that the partnership will expand access to the choir for people living with life-limiting illness and their families across east Dorset and Purbeck. The charities highlighted the benefits that group singing can bring, including around lowered stress, improved respiratory function, new social connections and overall mental wellbeing. 

Have guitar, will travel: music therapist brings comfort Lovin' Life; by Karen Schaffner; 5/3/26 Michael Hieber has a warehouse of music in his brain, everything from the Great American Songbook to Rob Zombie and beyond. He knows the value of music and how personal it is. As a board-certified music therapist, Hieber’s job is no different from other types of therapy. “The way to think of music therapy just in general is, imagine any kind of therapy there is: cognitive behavioral, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, et cetera,” Hieber said. “Music therapists can work in all those areas but you use music to achieve your therapeutic goals.” Hieber is a music therapist at Casa de la Luz Hospice, has a Yamaha guitar and will travel to patients.

Livingstone sells Elevate Hospice to Legacy HospiceLivingstone Partners; Press Release by Jim Moskal and Joseph Ens; 3/26/26 Livingstone’s healthcare team advised Elevate Hospice, a provider of comprehensive hospice care across Kansas and Missouri, on its sale to Legacy Hospice, a portfolio company of Bain Capital Double Impact.  Livingstone served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Company. Elevate operates three locations and delivers personalized hospice care to more than 225 patients per day.  ... Legacy Hospice, which was acquired by Bain Double Impact in November 2025, provides hospice services across five states in the Southeast with a specialized focus on in-home care in rural markets.

New website launch addresses growing demand for hospice care in the Bay Area lohud, Brentwood, CA; Press Release; 4/29/26 Grace and Glory Hospice has launched a new website designed to help families better understand hospice services and access support more quickly, reflecting a growing need for personalized, non-corporate care options. As demand increases for hospice care bay area providers that offer a more individualized approach, the organization’s updated digital presence aims to simplify decision-making during a critical time.

What a new hospice center means for Cleveland – beyond health care: Bill Finn Cleveland.com, Cleveland, OH; by Bill Finn, President and CEO of Reserve Care (formerly Hospice of the Western Reserve); 5/3/26 Cleveland is no stranger to reinvention. We are a city shaped by resilience, by industry and by a deep commitment to one another. That spirit is what makes this moment so meaningful as Reserve Care opens a new lakefront care center, designed not only for patients and families, but for our entire community. ... Set along Lake Erie, the space was intentionally designed to feel different from a hospital. ... Every detail, from the views of the water to the quiet areas for conversation, supports a single goal: to ease stress and create a sense of peace. But the impact goes beyond the walls of the building. ...