Literature Review
HMN 2026: How Nursing’s moral agency cannot be outsourced to AI
03/26/26 at 03:00 AMHMN 2026: How Nursing’s moral agency cannot be outsourced to AI Health Medicine Network; by George Demiris, PhD, Patricia Brennan, PhD. Oonjee Oh, MSN, and Sang Bin You, MSN; 3/24/26 ... Recommendations for health systems: The article emphasizes that nurses must not be passive users of technology but active leaders in its design and implementation. To preserve the public’s trust, the authors offer several critical recommendations.
And they'll walk out to the bleachers ...
03/26/26 at 03:00 AM... And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces. ~ from Field of Dreams, actor James Earl JonesCelebrating 2026's Opening Day of Baseball!
Medicare plan switching and hospice care among decedents with advanced cancer
03/26/26 at 03:00 AMMedicare plan switching and hospice care among decedents with advanced cancer JAMA Network Open; by Xin Hu, Changchuan Jiang, Youngmin Kwon, Fangli Geng, Qinjin Fan, Kewei Sylvia Shi, Zhiyuan Zheng, Jingxuan Zhao, Joan L Warren, K Robin Yabroff, Xuesong Han; 3/2/16Importance: Hospice ... is an excluded benefit under Medicare Advantage (MA), with coverage instead provided by traditional Medicare (TM). With growing MA penetration, more beneficiaries also switch between MA and TM for financial protection and physician access considerations, although less is known about how different Medicare programs and plan switching behaviors affect EOL care for patients with advanced cancers.Conclusions and relevance: In this cohort study of Medicare decedents with advanced cancers, continuous MA enrollees were most likely to receive hospice at home, while those who switched from MA to TM more frequently received hospice care in nursing homes. Plan switching near the EOL may reflect access barriers, highlighting the importance of addressing care coordination to improve EOL care.
21 hospitals, health systems raising workers’ pay
03/26/26 at 03:00 AM21 hospitals, health systems raising workers’ payBecker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 3/24/26 Since December 2025, the following hospitals and health systems have said they plan to raise their workers’ pay. ... This webpage was created Jan. 9 and is updated regularly. It was last updated March 24.
Hospice of the Golden Isles received donation from Terry Thomas Foundation
03/26/26 at 03:00 AMHospice of the Golden Isles received donation from Terry Thomas Foundation The Brunswick News, Brunswick, GA; by Amy Broderick; 3/25/26 For more than a decade, the Terry Thomas Foundation has partnered with Hospice of the Golden Isles (HGI) to support important initiatives for the Hospice Home campus. During that time, the foundation has contributed more than $155,000 to help enhance care and services for hospice patients and their families. This year’s grant will enable HGI to purchase 12 new oxygen concentrators, meeting a vital need for high-quality, dependable oxygen support for patients receiving end-of-life care.
NPHI calls on CMS to enact temporary nationwide moratorium on new hospice provider enrollments to stop fraudulent operators
03/26/26 at 02:00 AMNPHI calls on CMS to enact temporary nationwide moratorium on new hospice provider enrollments to stop fraudulent operators National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/25/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), representing the nation’s leading nonprofit, mission-driven, safety-net, hospice and advanced illness care providers, is calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a temporary, nationwide moratorium on new hospice provider enrollments in response to the continued growth of fraudulent providers exploiting the Medicare hospice benefit. In a letter sent today to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Deputy Administrator Kimberly Brandt, NPHI outlines concerns regarding the unchecked expansion of fraudulent hospice providers and the impact on patients, families, and the integrity of the Medicare program.
Next Level Hospice Care receives Texas Medicaid hospice license and expands access to critical care services
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMNext Level Hospice Care receives Texas Medicaid hospice license and expands access to critical care services EIN Presswire, Houston, TX; by OAK Interactive; 3/24/26 Next Level Hospice Care is proud to announce that it has received contractual approval for a Texas Medicaid hospice license as a Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA), effective February 4, 2026. This milestone approval was granted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) following a rigorous and comprehensive review process.
Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can ...
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMYour mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds. ~ "Osho" / Rajneesh.
Important changes coming to National Government Services
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMImportant changes coming to National Government Services National Government Services; email; 3/24/26 National Government Services will begin operating as Wellpoint Federal on 4/1/2026. ... While we embrace the opportunities of the Wellpoint Federal name, this change does not impact our team structure, service levels, or the operating model that has earned your trust for the past 60 years. Beginning April 1, we will start adopting our new brand identity. During this transition, you may still see National Government Services referenced online or in existing printed materials.
AI is coming for admin jobs, CFOs say
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMAI is coming for admin jobs, CFOs sayBecker's Hospital Review; by Andrew Cass; 3/24/26 Artificial intelligence is expected to disproportionately affect routine, clerical and administrative roles, while having a limited near-term impact on overall employment, The Wall Street Journal reported March 24. The Journal cited findings from a working paper recently published on the National Bureau of Economic Research website. The study, produced with economists from the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Richmond, surveyed about 750 CFOs across multiple industries between late 2025 and early 2026. Five things to know: ...
Mercy Hospice House reopens after five month hiatus
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMMercy Hospice House reopens after five month hiatus Durango Herald, Durango, CO; by Elizabeth Pond; 3/21/26 The Mercy Hospice House, an end of life care wing of Mercy Hospital, officially reopened this week after a five-month-long closure, according to a Monday news release by Mercy’s owner, CommonSpirit Health. The hospital wing temporarily closed because of a change in outpatient service ownership and a required licensing review, a CommonSpirit spokesperson told The Durango Herald in November. The facility transferred leadership of outpatient services to its national entity, CommonSpirit Health at Home, on a for-profit basis in October, with inpatient ownership remaining under its original regional leadership and nonprofit model.
CMS looks to kill the fax machine
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMCMS looks to kill the fax machine McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kimberly Marselas; 3/23/26 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is moving forward with a interoperability rule that aims to “eliminate” faxing and replace it with universal electronic healthcare claims and documentation exchanges by mid-2028. ... While it applies to all providers covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, including health plans, the new rule could strike fear among the many nursing homes still reliant on faxing or other manual communication methods for referrals and approvals.
It’s time to let stereotypes about older adults die
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMIt’s time to let stereotypes about older adults die McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 3/6/26 They say there is strength in numbers. If that is true, the nation’s roughly 67 million baby boomers should not be afraid to speak up about how to talk to and refer to older adults. It’s time they did. I was reminded of this after reading a smart post by Anthony Cirillo, a caregiving expert. In the post, he talked about how people (younger ones primarily) casually make ageist comments without realizing the harm they cause. Cirillo gives the examples of a young adult referring to him as “Pops” and another asking him if he knows how to use an iPhone.Editor's Note: One of the worst memories for me about my dad's last week of life was the way a physical therapist spoke to my dad--our gentle, gentle-man-ly giant of a man in both character and stature. Fortunately, I was a strong advocate and asked him (in her presence), "Dad, am I saying it right?" Even in his vulnerable state, he voiced, "Yes. ... Yes." There was no apology. No follow-up. Years later, I invite you to pair these descriptions with our 2025 post, "Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The perils of elderspeak."
Trauma-informed palliative care: A systematic scoping review of evidence sources describing concepts relevant to an emerging field of practice
03/25/26 at 03:00 AMTrauma-informed palliative care: A systematic scoping review of evidence sources describing concepts relevant to an emerging field of practice Palliative Medicine; by Rebecca Salama, Jane Simpson, Fiona J. R. Eccles, Maddy French; 3/23/26 Background: Trauma-informed palliative care aims to improve end-of-life experiences by recognising and responding to the presence of psychological trauma. While many practitioners support the approach, they also acknowledge the need to build a stronger evidence base.Results: ... the review identified a substantial body of evidence that describes concepts relevant to its approach. These findings provide a valuable starting point for future research.
3 potential policy options for high-acuity palliative services
03/25/26 at 03:00 AM3 potential policy options for high-acuity palliative services Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/24/26 The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is considering new policy options to expand access to high-acuity palliative services for hospice patients. The treatments under exploration include palliative radiation, chemotherapy, dialysis and blood transfusions. Though these treatments can aid in palliation, patients often do not receive them due to high costs and questions as to whether they fall within the scope of the Medicare Hospice Benefit. To identify potential approaches, MedPAC conducted a literature review, stakeholder interviews, site visits and data analyses.
Oversight Committee launches investigation into rampant taxpayer fraud in California hospice programs
03/25/26 at 02:00 AMOversight Committee launches investigation into rampant taxpayer fraud in California hospice programs U.S. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/23/26Following alarming reports that California officials failed to properly safeguard federal funds, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Oversight Committee Republicans today launched an investigation into rampant taxpayer fraud in California’s hospice programs. In a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the lawmakers emphasized that the Newsom administration has been aware of state audit reports of hospice fraud for at least four years but has failed to prevent or detect it and has enabled hospice providers to defraud the American taxpayer and exploit vulnerable patients. The Oversight Committee is now requesting documents and communications regarding California’s oversight and internal controls to detect and prevent fraud for its federally funded hospice programs.
Larchmont woman sentenced to nearly 3 years in federal prison for her role in hospice and diagnostic testing fraud that conned Medicare
03/25/26 at 02:00 AMLarchmont woman sentenced to nearly 3 years in federal prison for her role in hospice and diagnostic testing fraud that conned Medicare United States Attorney's Office - Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA; Press Release; 3/24/26 A woman from the Larchmont area of Los Angeles was sentenced today to 35 months in federal prison for defrauding Medicare out of more than $14 million by submitting fraudulent claims for hospice care and diagnostic testing services that were either unnecessary or not provided at all. Sophia Shaklian, 38, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who also ordered her to pay $14,103,043 in restitution. Shaklian pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of health care fraud.
Society of Critical Care Medicine 2026 Guidelines on the Care and Management of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Patients at the End of Life
03/25/26 at 02:00 AMSociety of Critical Care Medicine 2026 Guidelines on the Care and Management of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Patients at the End of Life Pediatric Critical Care Medicine; by Sabrina Derrington, Elizabeth G Broden Arciprete, Matthew C Lin, Simon J W Oczkowski, Amanda Alladin, Uchenna E Anani, Amanda K Borchik, Cassandra A Collins, Claudia Delgado-Corcoran, Mindy J Dickerman, Christopher G Harrod, Natalia Henner, Alexander A Kon, Mithya Lewis-Newby, Blyth T Lord, Ashley-Anne Masters, Sarah McCarthy, Katie M Moynihan, Sara M Munoz-Blanco, Lauren Rissman, Kathryn E Roberts, Amy B Schlegel, Ashleigh Schopen, Linda B Siegel, Harriett Swasey, Sarah E Wawrzynski, David J Zorko, Danielle D DeCourcey; 3/20/26 online ahead of print Objectives: To develop and provide evidence-based recommendations for EOL care and management of critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients and their families. Results: The [21-member multidisciplinary panel of experts] generated five conditional recommendations and one good practice statement, focused on advance care planning, pediatric palliative care consultation and education, systematic symptom management, bereavement support, and health equity in EOL care.
Study: Families pleased after meeting nursing home advance care planning specialist
03/24/26 at 03:00 AMStudy: Families pleased after meeting nursing home advance care planning specialist McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Foster Stubbs; 3/10/26 Overall, family caregivers who met with advance care planning (ACP) specialists reported positive experiences in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. The study enrolled 28 family caregivers of nursing home residents with dementia who had engaged in an ACP discussion with the ACP specialist in the prior three-month period. ... [Authors said,] “Their reports of needs and challenges reinforce the importance of ACP training programs like the ACP Specialist that promote routine conversations in the NH to support family decision makers for persons living with dementia.”
15 hospices incorporated in a single day, in a single suite in Van Nuys
03/24/26 at 03:00 AM15 hospices incorporated in a single day, in a single suite in Van Nuys Daily Breeze; by Jason Henry; 3/22/26 A group operating out of a Friar Street office building in Van Nuys that advertises “virtual offices” incorporated 22 hospices and home care agencies in one year, including 15 hospices registered in one day to a single suite, according to an investigation by the Southern California News Group. The 15 hospices, all formed in “Suite 205” at 14545 Friar St., later collected $12.3 million from Medicare and Medi-Cal billings in 2023 and 2024, records showed. ... While operating out of the same building is permitted, hospices cannot use the same office, according to Sheila Clark, the president and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care. ... She’s been sounding the alarm about fraud risks in Los Angeles’ hospice industry for years now. ...However, these hospices seemingly bypassed that limitation by appending letters from “A” to “P” onto the suite number in official documentation.
Ohio’s Hospice fundraiser in Malvern raises more than $42,000
03/24/26 at 03:00 AMOhio’s Hospice fundraiser in Malvern raises more than $42,000 Your Ohio News; by Kyle Valentini; 3/22/26 The Carroll County community came together March 21 to raise funds for nonprofit hospice care during Ohio’s Hospice Spring Spectacular Treasures of Time at Good Shepherd Hall in Malvern. According to Ohio’s Hospice, more than 175 attendees took part in the event, supporting celebrity servers while helping raise $42,175.
[United Kingdom] Hundreds run in memory of mum and 'dearest friend'
03/24/26 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] Hundreds run in memory of mum and 'dearest friend' BBC News, Yorkshire, United Kingdom; by Fiona Callow and Heidi Tomlinson; 3/22/26 More than 200 family and friends of a woman who died of cancer last month have run a 10k in her memory.Debbie Holland, 47, spent her final days being cared for at Wakefield Hospice, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. A fundraising page, set up to sponsor the runners, has almost raised more than 10 times its original target of £3,000. Debbie's husband Andrew said: "We always felt we wanted to pay back. The staff in Wakefield Hospice are amazing."
The Pennant Group highlights acquisition momentum, conservative guidance at Oppenheimer Healthcare chat
03/24/26 at 03:00 AMThe Pennant Group highlights acquisition momentum, conservative guidance at Oppenheimer Healthcare chat MarketBeat; by MarketBeat; 3/21/26 [The Pennant Group's] Chief Financial Officer Lynette Walbom said the company’s guidance includes conservatism, largely tied to the scale and complexity of the UnitedHealth Group/Amedisys transaction. ... She said the company expects an annualized EBITDA margin around 16% for the Home Health and Hospice segment. For Senior Living, she said the company expects margin expansion through the year, leading to an annualized margin around 11%.