Literature Review

At least 28 dead as winter storm brings ice, snow, extreme cold USA Today, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA; by Karissa Waddick and Dinah Voyles Pulver; 1/26/26 At least 28 people have died amid a monster winter storm over the weekend that unleashed freezing temperatures and heavy snow across dozens of states, causing power outages and treacherous road conditions for emergency responders. ... The treacherous conditions have so far been linked to 28 deaths in 12 states, including one each in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan and South Carolina; two each in Louisiana, Massachusetts and Mississippi, three each in Pennsylvania and Tennessee and nine in New York. ... Here’s what we know about deaths related to the winter storm. ...

MedPAC signals need to bolster Medicare physician payments AMA - American Medical Association; by Tanya Albert Henry; 1/27/26 Influential body backs added 0.5% Medicare pay update but backtracks on linking doctor payment to practice-cost inflation. ... The influential Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted in January to address inadequate payment for Medicare physician services under current law, once again underscoring a longstanding policy failure that is widely recognized but remains unresolved. MedPAC voted to recommend an additional 0.5% update on top of the updates specified in current law—0.25% and 0.75%—and will forward that recommendation to Congress. 

Defining palliative care quality in a tight reimbursement environment Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 1/27/26 Palliative care delivery is undergoing an evolutionary period of change. These services are offered in several different ways across the country, which brings both benefits and challenges when it comes to defining quality in the space. Today’s palliative care providers are shaping the outlook of the field, but through diversified approaches, according to Brynn Bowman, CEO of Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). The field is reaching a pivotal stage when it comes to supply and demand or resources, an issue that greater standardization could help to address, she indicated. 

Lifespark’s COMPLETE Senior Living Model sets new standard for senior living innovation Business Wire, Minneapolis, MN; Press Release; 1/27/26 Lifespark, a complete senior health company managing more than 50 senior living communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, has unveiled its COMPLETE Senior Living (CSL) model with plans for significant growth in 2026. The CSL model integrates four key components: Lifespark Senior Living Management, SPARK Growth and Wellness led by Dr. Bill Thomas, Lifespark Medical Group, and Lifespark Hospice.

BAYADA unveils the first Home Intensive Care Unit (HICU®) for infants and children PR Newswire, Philadelphia, PA; by BAYADA Home Health Care; 1/20/26 BAYADA Home Health Care ... is proud to announce its pioneering Home Intensive Care Unit (HICU®) program for infants and children with high-acuity medical needs. Following a successful pilot of this unique care delivery model, BAYADA's HICU® services are now available in three states—Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania—with growing interests to expand nationwide.

Many in Pacific Northwest delay end-of-life paperwork, expert says NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima, WA; by NonStop Local; 1/21/26 Experts are saying the beginning of the year is a great time to break the silence around one of life's most important, yet most avoided conversations: our wishes for the end of life. Research reveals that only one in three people have completed necessary paperwork like advanced directives, according to Meagan Williams of Compassion and Choices. This national nonprofit focuses on end-of-life healthcare planning and options. 

Half a million without power and dozens of deaths. A winter storm’s toll, in numbers Associated Press; by Jeff Martin; updated 1/27/26, 1:50pm EST As a deadly storm that brought crippling ice to the South and deep snow to the Northeast finally swirled out to sea, it represented a light at the end of the tunnel for some. However, roughly half a million Americans were still without power or heat, and temperatures were forecast to fall well below freezing Tuesday evening in areas where the massive ice storm did its worst damage. ... Here’s a look at the storm by the numbers. ...

Urns over caskets: Cremations now way more popular than burials Axios; by Carly Mallenbaum; 1/25/26 Cremations are now twice as common as burials in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. Why it matters: Shifting attitudes around religion, cost and the environment are reshaping how Americans handle death. By the numbers: Cremation surpassed burial nationwide in 2015 — and the gap has only widened since, with the NFDA projecting cremation will continue gaining share. ... Instead of opting for a traditional burial — which requires more land use, upkeep, embalming processes and items like caskets — people are going greener. 

Briana Kohlbrenner: End-of-life care is under threat - as demand for hospice grows, workers say staffing and pay must keep paceVTDigger, Vermont; commentary by Briana Kohlbrenner; 1/27/26 As demand for hospice grows, workers say staffing and pay must keep pace. University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice (UVMHHH) is at a crossroads. As Vermont’s population ages, the demand for hospice care is growing. ... We are asking for fair and transparent pay scales, safe staffing and equity within the UVM Health system. Though we wear the same logo on our badges, we are paid less than our counterparts in other parts of the UVM Health system. A new nurse starting at UVM Home Health and Hospice earns $6.72 less per hour than a new nurse at the UVM Medical Center.

The most important thing you need to know about end of life planning Forbes; by Peter Ubel; 1/22/26 ... Many experts say I should document my preferences clearly and unambiguously in my medical records so that, in the case of mental incapacity, my doctors can look at what I say and honor those preferences. According to the AARP, leaving ahead detailed instructions about your end-of-life preferences means “that you remain the captain of your own ship.” ... I respect these experts. And I do not begrudge anyone who has filled out such a document. But I worry that this approach won’t work and could even backfire. That is why I prefer a different approach, which I will describe shortly. But first, I need to explain why these kind of detailed advanced directives could backfire. ...

How does palliative care work under Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Law? WorkersCompensation.com; 1/25/26 What does it take for an injured worker in Rhode Island to receive palliative care? State regulations spell out the steps ... "Palliative care" means the first 12 visits for medical services provided by a physician licensed by the State after maximum medical improvement has been attained. ... Additional palliative care beyond the 12 visits after the employee reaches maximum medical improvement, is conditioned on the authorization of the claim administrator (insurer, self-insured employer, third party administrator) upon the request of the employee’s treating physician (Medical Provider).

Scarves, mittens, and hats are a great way to express your personality in the cold weather. ~ Brad Goreski

[Snow shoveling] Call to action: Local volunteer opportunities Prince William Living; by Volunteer Prince William; 1/23/26 ... Volunteer Prince William is recruiting Volunteer Snow Shovelers to assist senior citizens and adults with disabilities by clearing sidewalks and driveways after snowstorms.  ...