Literature Review
DOWNLOAD E-BOOK: A History of Care - 250 Years of American Need, Service and Care
07/05/26 at 02:00 AMA history of care: 250 years of American suffering, service, and hope
O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain ...
07/04/26 at 03:00 AM"O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain For purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plain America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!" ~ Words by Katherine Bates, Music by Samuel Ward
Announcement 2017-2026
07/04/26 at 12:00 AMSunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!
CMS is right about hospice fraud but wrong about the moratorium on new enrollments
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMCMS is right about hospice fraud but wrong about the moratorium on new enrollments Health Affairs; by Tamara Weaver; 6/30/26 Under CMS’s six-month moratorium on new enrollments, I have effectively been told to sit still, burn cash, and hope I survive long enough to eventually serve patients. That is not good policy. That is collateral damage. I am exactly the kind of hospice agency owner the federal government should want in this industry. I am not a private equity fund. I am not a shell company. I am not a fraudster who enrolled patients who did not qualify, billed for services never rendered, or relocated across state lines to outrun regulators. I am a founder who spent years building something genuinely different—investing my life savings, my retirement, and my professional identity into a mission-driven hospice designed specifically as an antidote to the failures that have eroded trust in end-of-life care. ...
Navigating the 2026 home health & hospice M&A market
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMNavigating the 2026 home health & hospice M&A market Levin Associates; by CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors; 7/2/26 Through the first six months of 2026, there have been 55 Home Health & Hospice transactions, a slightly slower pace than the same period in 2025 (58 deals). Around 41% of these deals in 2026 were committed by private equity (PE) firms. Although we’re still seeing the usual add-on acquisitions from PE-backed portfolio companies, there have also been some high-profile platform deals this year. Firms such as Palladium Equity Partners and Warburg Pincus added new home health operators to their portfolios this year, and, in the sector’s largest deal, General Atlantic acquired TEAM Services Group from Alpine Investors for $3 billion, including debt.
Dignity, not dollars: Thompson reflects on HopeWest’s role in community as he retires
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMDignity, not dollars: Thompson reflects on HopeWest’s role in community as he retires Montrose Press, Montrose, CO; by Katharhynn Heidelberg; 7/1/26 Kelly Thompson never expected to finish his working life at a service providing hospice and palliative care, with other supportive services. When the Grand Junction native returned to the area by moving to Montrose from Lakewood 28 years ago, he had been a horticulturist. Here, he taught at Northside and Pomona elementary schools after earning certification at CMU-Montrose. Thompson was set. Then along came his "10-year itch," and an opportunity at HopeWest's Heirlooms for Hospice store in Montrose. Thompson rose to the manager's position and later, became the care oganization's volunteer coordinator. "I loved that position," Thompson said. Not bad for someone who, upon beginning with HopeWest says he barely knew what the word "hospice" meant. His life's path turned again when HopeWest's program director announced her retirement and approached him about putting in for the position. ...
DOWNLOAD E-BOOK: A History of Care - 250 Years of American Need, Service and Hope
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMDOWNLOAD E-BOOK: A History of Care - 250 Years of American Need, Service and Care
CMS mulls tougher Medicare enrollment rules to combat fraud as part of 2027 home health payment rule
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMCMS mulls tougher Medicare enrollment rules to combat fraud as part of 2027 home health payment rule Fierce Healthcare; by Heather Landi; 7/1/26 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released on Wednesday afternoon its 2027 proposed payment rule for home health agencies. The rule includes an aggregate payment increase of $420 million, or 2.4%, based on a proposed 2.1% payment update and an estimated 0.3% increase related to the fixed dollar loss ratio. That 2.1% payment update represents $370 million, according to a CMS fact sheet. The proposal also includes updates to payment methodologies, case-mix weights, outlier payments and quality reporting requirements, while seeking feedback on expanding access to home-based palliative care. Beyond payment policy, CMS is proposing a series of anti-fraud measures that would make all Medicare enrollment revocations retroactive and broaden the agency’s authority to deny or revoke enrollment for providers and suppliers linked to compliance violations.
Family Hospice hosts open house and ribbon-cutting for new McDonough Inpatient Unit
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMFamily Hospice hosts open house and ribbon-cutting for new McDonough Inpatient Unit NEWSnet, McDonough, GA; by EIN Presswire; 7/2/26 Family Hospice welcomed community leaders, healthcare professionals, and community partners on June 25 for an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating its new McDonough Inpatient Unit. The event marked an important milestone in the organization’s continued commitment to expanding access to compassionate hospice care. ... “At Family Hospice, our mission is simple: We are a team that cares for people, and we make lives better,” said Charlie Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Family Hospice. “Our new McDonough Inpatient Unit reflects that commitment and will allow us to provide an additional level of compassionate care and support for patients and families.”
Hospice pinning ceremony honors Margate veteran
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMHospice pinning ceremony honors Margate veteran The Press of Atlantic City; by Haram Shahid; 7/1/26 After celebrating 87 Fourths of July, Vietnam War veteran Tom Misner knows the simple pleasures that make America home: Homemade Italian gravy filled with meatballs and sausage, dairy-free ice cream packed with thick chunks of pecans, and “God Bless America” sung by his music therapist. On Wednesday, days before Independence Day, Misner’s front yard was filled with neighbors, family, hospice staff and even his mail carrier for a pinning ceremony honoring his service in the Navy from 1956 to 1962 and the Army Reserves from 1976 to 1985. The ceremony, organized by NJ Health Hospice, is part of a veteran recognition program that brings end-of-life care into moments of memory, identity and community, focusing not just on medical support but on honoring the lives patients lived before hospice.
Where liberty dwells, there is ...
07/03/26 at 03:00 AMWhere liberty dwells, there is my country. ~ Benjamin Franklin
VITAS Healthcare promotes Bryan Wysong to Chief Operations Officer
07/03/26 at 02:00 AMVITAS Healthcare promotes Bryan Wysong to Chief Operations Officer South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report; Press Release; 7/2/26 VITAS Healthcare announced the promotion of Bryan Wysong to chief operations officer (COO). As executive vice president and COO, Wysong will lead companywide operations across VITAS, overseeing hospice care delivery, high acuity services, operational performance, quality improvement, home medical equipment and palliative care services. He will work closely with leaders across the organization to strengthen clinical excellence, advance operational performance and support the continued growth of VITAS. Since joining VITAS in 2014 as an internal management consultant, Wysong has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including senior director, vice president, head of high acuity services and senior vice president of operational performance.
Mt. Hood Hospice gets $41K after largest-ever fundraising month
07/03/26 at 02:00 AMMt. Hood Hospice gets $41K after largest-ever fundraising month Sandy Post, Sandy, OR; by Christopher Keizur; 7/1/26 The 2026 Support Mt. Hood Hospice Month is an annual effort that involves businesses, organizations, and community members across the greater Sandy area. It is in support of Mt. Hood Hospice, which provides care to terminally ill patients regardless of their ability to pay. “This year we tried a lot of new things and had better numbers and donations,” said Brian York, marketing specialist for Clackamas County Bank. On Wednesday, July 1, at Mt. Hood Hospice, 39085 Pioneer Boulevard, a check for $41,877.99 was presented (leave it to a bank to be so precise). That is the highest donation yet.
Announcement 2007-2016
07/03/26 at 12:00 AMSunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!
1997-2006: 250 Years - A History of Care
07/03/26 at 12:00 AM1776-1786: 250 Years - A History of CareHospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger; for 6/10/26Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
CMS creates new health tech office to lead interoperability efforts, digital products
07/02/26 at 03:10 AMCMS creates new health tech office to lead interoperability efforts, digital products Fierce Healthcare; by Heather Landi; 6/15/26 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to play a bigger role in health tech modernization efforts, including leading interoperability initiatives. The agency created a new Office of Health Technology and Products (OHTP) to provide "enterprise leadership and oversight for CMS healthcare technology modernization, digital products and transformation of platforms and services supporting Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other CMS-administered programs," according to a notice in the Federal Register published on June 11. The new health tech-focused office will work in close coordination with the CMS Chief Information Officer (CIO) and will lead enterprise strategy for artificial intelligence, interoperability, digital product development, Medicare.gov, provider directories and claims system modernization, according to the notice. The office consists of eight divisions and the notice lists more than 90 responsibilities.Editor's Note: Examine the detailed Federal Register's "Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority"
Judge bars San Antonio hospice from using Magnolia name for now
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMJudge bars San Antonio hospice from using Magnolia name for nowSan Antonio Express-News; by Patrick Danner; 7/1/26 A federal judge has temporarily barred a San Antonio hospice provider from using its current name, concluding the company likely is infringing on a Texas hospice’s federally registered trademark.U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez issued the preliminary injunction against Magnolia Hospice Company Inc. of San Antonio after finding its nearly identical name had caused confusion among patients and health care providers while the businesses marketed the same hospice services in overlapping markets. Tuesday’s order stems from a lawsuit filed by RHI Magnolia of North Texas LLC, which has operated in the state under the Magnolia Hospice name for more than a decade and obtained a federal trademark registration in 2024. [Access to the article may be limited by a paywall.]
Nancy Streber Memorial Golf Classic raises more than $10,000, surpasses $200,000 lifetime milestone
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMNancy Streber Memorial Golf Classic raises more than $10,000, surpasses $200,000 lifetime milestone Tri-County Times, Davison, MI; Press Release; 7/1/26 Davison The 29th Annual Nancy Streber Memorial Golf Classic, held May 9 at Heather Hills Golf Course in Romeo, Mich., raised more than $10,000 in support of McLaren Hospice's compassionate end-of-life care services. Founded by Dave Streber and his family, the golf outing was established to honor the memory of his mother, Nancy Streber, while also recognizing the compassionate care his grandfather received as a McLaren patient. With this year's contribution, the event has now raised more than $200,000 over its 29-year history in support of McLaren Hospice a remarkable milestone made possible through decades of community support and dedication to hospice care.
Advance Care Planning documentation completeness and end-of-life care: trends and associations using HRS 2010-2022 data
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMAdvance Care Planning documentation completeness and end-of-life care: trends and associations using HRS 2010-2022 data American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Zhigang Xie, PhD, MPA, Jiaming Liang, PhD, and Molly Jacobs, PhD, MS; 6/16/26 Objectives: This study examined additive associations between comprehensive advance care planning (ACP) documentation and end-of-life care (EOL) outcomes among older adults in the United States. ...Results: About 42.7% decedents had two documents and 28.9% had none, documentation increased substantially around 2014. ... Associations were stronger among decedents with expected death and attenuated among those with unexpected death.
Carolina Caring Community Counseling Program expands services to anyone who has experienced loss
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMCarolina Caring Community Counseling Program expands services to anyone who has experienced loss Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; Press Release; 7/1/26 For many individuals, addressing the mental health concerns tied to grief and loss can feel overwhelming, complicated, or out of reach. Recognizing the profound impact that loss can have on one’s wellbeing, Carolina Caring has expanded a Community Counseling Program to support individuals who have experienced a major loss of any kind. ... Traditionally, organizations like Carolina Caring provide bereavement services to families of hospice patients for up to 13 months. But the Community Counseling Program is different from this traditional model. Through the expansion, the Community Counseling Program redefines what it means to provide compassionate care to the whole person, both physically and emotionally.
Indiana's Saint Anne eldercare campus opens hospice suites to provide holistic end-of-life care
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMIndiana's Saint Anne eldercare campus opens hospice suites to provide holistic end-of-life care Catholic Health World; by Julie Minda; 6/30/16 Saint Anne Communities, an eldercare campus in northeast Indiana, has opened a five-suite wing that offers people at the end of life holistic care and services. In the Saint Joseph Hospice Suites, staff provide medical, spiritual and emotional care to residents as well as support to their loved ones. Facility leaders said Saint Anne designed the suites to have a homelike feel. They said a key priority is to surround the residents and their loved ones with prayer, comfort and dignity.
Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: ...
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMSurely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’ ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Hospice sues Medicare over denied claims worth over $1 million
07/02/26 at 03:00 AMHospice sues Medicare over denied claims worth over $1 million Bloomberg Law; by Ganny Belloni; 7/1/26 An Arizona hospice group is suing Medicare alleging the program arbitrarily denied hundreds of claims for palliative care services. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas by Infinity Hospice Care claims that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, through its private claims processor, denied over 200 claims for hospice services worth over $1 million after audits found the services didn’t meet the Medicare Administrative Contractor’s payment criteria. [Full access may be limited by a paywall.]