Literature Review
Coming Soon: Vitas Healthcare in Marion County
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMComing Soon: Vitas Healthcare in Marion County South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report, Ocala, FL; by cfelixcpa; 4/20/25 Florida is home to one of the country’s largest aging populations, with adults 65 and older making up 22 percent of its residents. As demand for hospice services rises statewide, VITAS Healthcare ... is expanding into Marion County. Beginning May 15, VITAS will accept patient referrals in the new service area. ... “Expanding into Marion County reflects VITAS’ ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality hospice services for more Florida families,” said Angela Hamrick, vice president of operations.
Jury convicts home health agency executive of fixing wages and fraudulently concealing criminal investigation
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMJury convicts home health agency executive of fixing wages and fraudulently concealing criminal investigation U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Public Affairs; Press Release; 4/14/25 A federal jury convicted a Nevada man today for participating in a three-year conspiracy to fix the wages for home healthcare nurses in Las Vegas and for fraudulently failing to disclose the criminal antitrust investigation during the sale of his home healthcare staffing company. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez of Las Vegas, Nevada conspired to artificially cap the wages of home healthcare nurses in the Las Vegas area between March 2016 and May 2019. The three-year conspiracy affected the wages of hundreds of Las Vegas registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who provide care to patients in their homes. During the pendency of the government’s investigation, Lopez then sold his home healthcare staffing company for over $10 million while fraudulently concealing the government’s criminal investigation from the buyer.
Supreme Court hears ‘crucial’ case today on free preventive health care
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMSupreme Court hears ‘crucial’ case today on free preventive health care KFF Health News; 4/21/25 The lawsuit, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, could have far-reaching consequences for the health coverage of tens of millions of Americans. A ruling is expected in June. ... The Supreme Court on Monday is set to hear arguments in a case challenging a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires private insurers to cover health care screenings, tests and checkups for free. Experts say the court’s ruling in the case, called Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, could have sweeping consequences for patient access to preventive health care across the United States.
Value-based palliative care moving toward risk-based models
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMValue-based palliative care moving toward risk-based models Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/21/25 Risk-based contracts may be the future of palliative care reimbursement as Medicare Advantage continues to ascend. The simple term “value-based care” belies its complexity. The term can refer to any number of payment models that are designed to reduce total cost of care and improve outcomes. While most palliative care remains locked in the fee-for-service realm, most value-based organizations like MA plans are moving towards it, according to Dr. Gavin Baumgardner, vice president and national medical director for complex and palliative care at Contessa Health, a subsidiary of Amedisys (Nasdaq: AMED).
Closing the hospice care coverage gap in Florida
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMClosing the hospice care coverage gap in Florida Naples Daily News, Naples, FL; by Nichole Goble; 4/20/25 For too many Floridians living with serious illness, accessing high-quality hospice care remains a challenge. Families are left struggling to find the support they need, and patients are forced to navigate complex medical decisions without adequate guidance. In Florida, this gap is especially pronounced, leaving thousands without the specialized care that could improve their quality of life. Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is dedicated to advocating for caregivers and their loved ones. ... Living in a rural area, bringing in hospice support to the home ensured that family could more easily be with him on a continuous basis. ... This year, CAN has engaged over 65,000 caregivers across the state of Florida to better understand their priorities when it comes to hospice care and the benefits of integrated health systems, with over 28,000 of those being in Hendry, Lee, Pinellas, Glades, and connected counties.
Mergers and Acquisitions: An overview of notable healthcare M&A activity in 2025
04/22/25 at 03:00 AM
Pope Francis has died, Vatican says
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMPope Francis has died, Vatican says Reuters, Vatican City; by Joshua McElwee; 4/21/25, 6:11 am EDT, updated 6:51 am EDT Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution. He was 88, and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia this year, but his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter's Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday.Editor's Note: This breaking news emerged after today's newsletter had been sent. Please check your email for today's full issue of Hospice & Palliative Care Today.
Federal court strikes down minimum staffing rule: The details you might not know behind the decision
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMFederal court strikes down minimum staffing rule: The details you might not know behind the decisionMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by Neville M. Bilimoria; 4/21/25On April 7, 2025, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas struck down the federal minimum staffing Final Rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This was incredibly good news for nursing homes across the country for a variety of reasons ... The opinion from District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk outlined the many laws and regulations America’s nursing homes are subject to in the healthcare arena, but it also recounted some deep history behind minimum staffing efforts that were previously unsuccessful, both by HHS and Congress. ...
Belief in an afterlife is increasing in the United States: Even among the non-religious
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMBelief in an afterlife is increasing in the United States: Even among the non-religious The Association of Religion Data Archives (The ARDA); by Ryan Burge; 4/17/25 This post has been unlocked through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment for the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). The graphs you see here use data that is publicly available for download and analysis through link(s) provided in the text below. ... I wanted to dig a bit deeper on the variations in those belief metrics today, with a question that I haven’t really probed a whole lot. The General Social Survey, which is available on the Association of Religion Data Archives website, contains a really straightforward question, “Do you believe there is a life after death?” And it has an even simpler set of response options - yes or no. It’s been asked with regularity since 1973, so we have nearly five decades of data on this one specific question. ... Even today, the share of Americans who believe in life after death is 82%. When people ask me, “Is the United States a religious country?” This is the stat that I’m going to trot out.
MedPAC identifies low rates of hospice use among kidney disease patients
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMMedPAC identifies low rates of hospice use among kidney disease patients McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/17/25 Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) use hospice at far lower rates than patients with other conditions, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. In 2023, 31% of Medicare decedents with ESRD used hospice services, compared with 52% of all Medicare decedents. Hospice lifetime length of stay is also lower among decedents with ESRD, at a median of six days compared with 18 for all Medicare decedents, MedPAC commissioners said during their April meeting. ...
FL 40th Annual Forum May 29-30
04/22/25 at 02:00 AMFL 40th Annual Forum May 29-30FHPCA press release; 4/21/25Please join us May 29-30 for the 40th Annual Forum – Hospice Works: Sunshine State of Mind at the beautiful Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel for networking and education. Get ready for innovative content and incredible speakers. Visit the official Forum website for a full listing of speakers and education sessions. Register yourself and your team today!Publisher's note: FHPCA is a sponsor of Hospice & Palliative Care Today.
Pope Francis has died, Vatican says
04/21/25 at 09:00 AMPope Francis has died, Vatican says Reuters, Vatican City; by Joshua McElwee; 4/21/25, 6:11 am EDT, updated 6:51 am EDT Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution. He was 88, and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia this year, but his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter's Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday.Editor's Note: This breaking news emerged after today's newsletter had been sent. Please check your email for today's full issue of Hospice & Palliative Care Today.
7 challenges of AI integration in healthcare and their remedies
04/21/25 at 03:00 AM7 challenges of AI integration in healthcare and their remedies informa - TechTarget and Informa; by John Moore; 4/16/25 The healthcare sector faces many hurdles when adopting AI. Obstacles include setting an AI strategy, dealing with fragmented data, and addressing ethics, security and compliance. The integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare has been long coming, dating back to at least the 1980s, when expert systems were touted as a potential diagnostic tool. ... Top challenges of AI in healthcare:
Statement by the American Nurses Association on the importance of nursing specific science and research and the leaked FY 2026 HHS Budget Proposal
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMStatement by the American Nurses Association on the importance of nursing specific science and research and the leaked FY 2026 HHS Budget Proposal American Nurses Association; Press Release, newsroom@ana.org; 4/17/25 Nursing-specific science and research is uniquely positioned to inform the health care delivery system on evidence-based approaches to patient-centered, quality care that meets the needs of patients as effectively and efficiently as possible. ... “The American Nurses Association (ANA) is deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the leaked draft FY 2026 proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the elimination of National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and deep cuts to Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs," expressed American Nurses Association President Dr. Jennifer Mensik-Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “ANA firmly believes that NINR plays a vital role in ensuring that research guided by nurses’ education, experiences, and clinical training continue to enable our overall health care system to improve and be driven by evidence.” ... Further, ANA is grateful for the broad bipartisan support these programs have historically received from Congress and will work closely with lawmakers to safeguard funding for these programs during the FY2026 appropriations process. ...
What healthcare leaders can learn from palliative medicine
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMWhat healthcare leaders can learn from palliative medicine Becker's Hospital Review; by Elizabeth Gregerson; 4/18/25 The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in March appointed Kristina Newport, MD, as chief medical officer for the organization. Dr. Newport currently serves as chief of palliative care for Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health. She recently spoke with Becker’s about her priorities as AAHPM’s new CMO, as well as the role palliative care can play in oncology.Question: Congratulations on your appointment, what are your top priorities in this new role?Dr. Kristina Newport: Thank you. It’s really a privilege to be in this role and give back to the organization that raised me up. I’ve been a member of the Academy since 2007 when I was a medical resident, so the academy really has guided my career. One of my first priorities is to understand our members’ needs. ... My second priority is developing and strengthening the relationships we have with other organizations who share our mission. ... [The] foundations of palliative care are to prioritize what matters to patients and address the whole person through human connections and relationships. We have strong evidence in the literature that says when we do that well, we decrease non-beneficial treatment and improve the patient’s well-being, as well as the well-being of people that care for them. At the same time, we decrease unnecessary costs in the healthcare system while improving healthcare worker satisfaction.
Using technology to improve matching drug details in hospice care
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMUsing technology to improve matching drug details in hospice care Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH); by Matt Phillion; 4/17/25 For Wise Hospice Options, prescribers had been spending an average of 15 seconds matching each flagged drug and 20 seconds per drug entering missing sig, or label, details. Recently, they incorporated clinical-grade AI from DrFirst into automating this process, enabling those same providers to spend two to three seconds per drug, with fewer medications flagged for manual review by pill icons. ... The AI implementation allowed Wise to standardize data from different systems into a workflow that allows clinicians to see complete information before ordering prescriptions, helping avoid delays and reduce errors. Clinicians continue to review medication information for accuracy and adjust based on discussions with the patient but require fewer clicks and keystrokes so they can make faster, more informed decisions. ... Why the impact on hospice is key: The first thing to consider, Faubion explains, is that when it comes to hospice patients, they are going to be on a lot of medications. ...
Today's Encouragement: Volunteering is at the very core of ...
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMVolunteering is at the very core of being human. No one has made it through life without some else's help. ~ Heather French Henry
Attorneys general challenge Trump’s deportations, citing impact on home health workforce
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMAttorneys general challenge Trump’s deportations, citing impact on home health workforce McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/16/25 Nineteen state attorneys general filed an amicus brief Monday challenging President Donald Trump’s deportation policies. Among their arguments, they contended that deportations would have an outsized, negative impact on the home health industry’s ability to deliver care. “From a public health perspective, [states] depend on noncitizen healthcare workers who, like other immigrants, are forced to live in a climate of fear — nationwide over 1 million immigrants work in healt hcare, including 40% of home health aides and 18% of nursing home staff,” the brief said. The brief aims to block the administration’s so-called “ideological deportation policy,” established by executive orders 14161 and 14188. These orders intimidate workers, impair healthcare delivery and harm states’ economies, the attorneys general argued.
Healthcare trends & transactions Q1 2025
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMHealthcare trends & transactions Q1 2025 JD Supra; by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC; 4/17/25 [Scrolling down to section titled, "Home Health, Hospice Care & Personal Care Services"] ... The notable uptick in M&A activity in this sector began in January, as several significant transactions were finalized.
6 nonverbal cues that reveal your leadership communication style
04/21/25 at 03:00 AM6 nonverbal cues that reveal your leadership communication style Forbes; by Cheryl Robinson; 4/17/25 ... [Some] of the most influential leadership communication doesn’t come from words—it comes from what you do when you’re not speaking. And it’s not always the cues you’d expect. These subtle, often overlooked signals shape how others perceive your authority; your body language tells a completely different story from your words. Dr. Albert Mehrabian’s well-known 7-38-55 rule breaks down communication into three key components: 7% of meaning comes from words, 38% is conveyed through tone of voice and 55% through body language. Mastering nonverbal communication has become a critical leadership skill in the digitally remote workspace. ... To lead with greater impact, you need to recognize the signals you’re sending, especially the ones you don’t realize you’re giving off.
Access to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMAccess to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer MedPAC; by Kim Nueman, Grace Oh, and Nancy Ray; 4/11/25 [From MedPac Presentation Roadmap, Meetings held April 10 & 11, 2025]
Portugal: Government signs contracts for 3,000 palliative care beds
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMPortugal: Government signs contracts for 3,000 palliative care beds MacauBusiness.com; by LUSA; 4/18/25 The government on Thursday [4/17/25] signed 90 financing contracts worth €88 million with the private and social sectors to create 3,300 places in the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI). ... The government on Thursday signed 90 financing contracts worth €88 million with the private and social sectors to create 3,300 places in the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI). ... The minister added that “the government’s determination is not to slow down the pace of implementation of the RRP”, emphasising that another 800 contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, in different areas.
What's at stake if CDC's Infection Control Practices Committee is cut
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMWhat's at stake if CDC's Infection Control Practices Committee is cut MedPage Today; by Alexander Sundermann, DrPH; 4/17/25 Whether you are placing a central line, managing a Clostridioides difficile case, or keeping a surgical field sterile, you're likely following standards influenced by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). While it may not be widely known outside of infection prevention circles, HICPAC plays a central role in shaping the evidence-based guidelines that frontline clinicians use every day to protect both patients and healthcare workers. ... Frontline clinicians ... rely on HICPAC guidance every day. Its recommendations shape the protocols used to prevent device-related infections, respond to emerging outbreaks, and meet regulatory and accreditation requirements. ...Eliminating HICPAC wouldn't just slow progress -- it would erode the foundation of infection prevention in U.S. healthcare.
‘Medical aid in dying’ bill passes Nevada Assembly despite Lombardo veto threat
04/21/25 at 03:00 AM‘Medical aid in dying’ bill passes Nevada Assembly despite Lombardo veto threat Las Vegas Review-Journal; by McKenna Ross; 4/17/25 An effort to legalize medical aid in dying for terminally ill people has passed a crucial vote Thursday despite Gov. Joe Lombardo’s threat to veto the measure. Assembly Bill 346 would create a legal framework for competent and willing terminally ill patients to self-administer life-ending medicines. It passed in the Assembly on Thursday, 23-19.
3 major tactics used by hospice scammers
04/21/25 at 03:00 AM3 major tactics used by hospice scammers Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/18/25 Among the numerous tactics that unscrupulous hospices use to commit fraud, three are rising to the forefront. Four states have garnered national attention as fraud hotbeds — Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. These regions have seen swarms of new hospices emerging and receiving Medicare dollars. Numerous reports of unethical or illegal practices have surfaced, particularly among these new companies. ... One common practice among them is to keep their patient census low to avoid regulators’ attention, Judy Lund Person, principal of the consulting firm Lund Person and Associates, ... Among these providers, three principal tactics are emerging, according to Sheila Clark, president and CEO of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. ...