Literature Review

Data book: Beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid MEDPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commision) and MACPAC (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission); December 2025 This data book is a joint project of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The data book presents information on the demographic and other personal characteristics, expenditures, and health care utilization of individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Dually eligible beneficiaries receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits by virtue of their age or disability and low income. This population is diverse and includes individuals with multiple chronic conditions, physical disabilities, and cognitive impairments such as dementia, developmental disabilities, and mental illness. It also includes some individuals who are relatively healthy.

Aging is changing: Three truths that should reshape our strategiesMcKnights Long-Term Care News; by 

Hospice SLO County announces move to new location Paso Robles Daily News, Paso Robles, CA; by News Staff; 12/3/25 Hospice of San Luis Obispo County says its new location improves visibility and long-term stability. The new, smaller facility will continue to be known as the Dorothy D. Rupe Center. The name honors the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation and the legacy that helped establish the organization’s first permanent home in 2001. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County said the move reflects a step toward sustainability by providing a more visible and efficient space while maintaining its existing environment.

Still complaining about compliance? Attackers love hearing that Forbes - Innovation - Cybersecurity; by Emil Sayegh; 12/1/25 Across industries, compliance frameworks are often misunderstood. Executives see cost. IT teams see checklists. Owners see audits, findings corrective actions. Whether it is NIST 800-171, CMMC, HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001 or SOC 2, the reaction is predictable. Another requirement. Another deadline. Another disruption. But the truth is that these frameworks have saved companies from ruin. They have reduced breach costs, protected consumers and patients, stabilized industries and prevented the collapse of trust systems that modern life depends on.

The role of Artificial Intelligence in palliative oncology: Zeroing in on hematologic malignancies CancerNetwork - Oncology Journal; by Ram Prakash Thirugnanasambandam, MBBS, Ariana Bauer, MD, Christopher D’Angelo, MD; 12/3/25 AI revolutionizes palliative oncology by enhancing prognostication, symptom management, and personalized care for patients with hematologic malignancies. ... As AI becomes integrated into health care, it is vital that clinicians understand what it is and how it works. At its core, AI refers to computer systems designed to learn from data to help recognize patterns, make decisions, and support decision-making. ...

The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Ira Byock and Cordt Kassner; 12/3/25 In this meaningful episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Cordt Kassner and renowned Hospice pioneer Dr. Ira Byock to explore why Hospice and Palliative Care matter now more than ever—especially during the holiday season, when reflection and connection take center stage.The conversation traces the evolution of Hospice, highlighting how its mission has expanded beyond end-of-life care to fostering true well-being for patients and families. Dr. Byock challenges long-held assumptions about Hospice, urging a reframing of the narrative to emphasize life completion, compassion, and the profound impact these services have on the broader healthcare landscape.

BULLETIN: HHS repeals nursing home staffing rule provisions McKNights Long-Term Care News; by Kimberly Marselas; 12/2/25 The Department of Health and Human Services today repealed key provisions of the minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities finalized in 2024. The move follows months of legal and legislative challenges, which had already rendered hourly staffing and registered nurse requirements moot. HHS said it was repealing provisions in alignment with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which imposed a nine-year moratorium on the rule’s staffing measures. ... Notice of the appeal was posted in the Federal Register Tuesday morning. Editor's Note: Click here for the official publication of this repeal, scheduled to be published on 12/3/25.

$600K distributed to support UP seniors facing care difficulties, increasing isolation MyUpNow.com, Marquette, MI; by Alexandria Bournonville; 12/2/25 The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (BCBSM Foundation) awarded $632,590 in grants to 14 Upper Peninsula with the goal of supporting the health and well-being of older adults. These grants were made possible in partnership with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Superior Health Foundation. The funds will go to caregiving initiatives, care coordination, chronic disease prevention, workforce development and programs to reduce isolation and loneliness. 

WVU Health to acquire Independence, invest $800M in upgrades Modern Healthcare; by Hayley DeSilva; 11/19/25 Key Takeaways

Rainbow dedicates tree and memorial bench in honor of beloved nurse practitioner Kristina Heimsch Rainbow Community Care; Jefferson, Wisconsin; by Rainbow Community Care Team; 10/13/25Rainbow Community Care hosted a touching dedication ceremony on Monday, October 6, to honor the life and contributions of Kristina Heimsch, a cherished nurse practitioner who passed away in April 2025 at the age of 37. Held in collaboration with Kristina’s family, the event established a peaceful and lasting tribute to her presence within the Rainbow family. A Fire Maple tree, which was generously gifted by McKay Nursery of Waterloo, now stands on the front lawn of the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center. Kristina’s family also donated a memorial bench in her memory.

New tool predicts dementia years before onset Medscape; by Megan Brooks; 11/14/25 A new predictive tool combining amyloid PET data with key clinical factors estimates an individual’s lifetime risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia years before symptoms, potentially transforming the way risk is assessed. The model combines age, sex, APOE-ε4 status and findings on amyloid PET scans, with amyloid PET results having the largest effect on risk. The lifetime and 10-year absolute risk for MCI and dementia in older adults with normal cognition increased continuously with increasing centiloid value for all combinations of sex and APOE-ε4 status.

I went to a conference about death. Everyone was laughing. USA Today, Los Angeles, CA; by David Oliver; 12/2/25 Welcome to the EndWell Summit, a gathering of more than 700 caregivers, clinicians and advocates who've grieved, are grieving or are working with those at the end of their lives. Speakers included a pediatric palliative care physician, a global health economist and a prison hospice advocate, not to mention celebrities like Emma Heming Willis (Bruce Willis' wife) and Katherine LaNasa ("The Pitt"). It's an inviting space – ... --where casual conversations and formal talks about death are tear-jerking one second and laugh-out-loud funny the next. ... The conference's theme was "radical bravery." Don't get it twisted, though. Radical bravery is not about being fearless, but staying present even when dark clouds form above you.