Literature Review

Change Healthcare's temporary funding program 'not even a Band-Aid,' AHA says Becker's Health IT, by Giles Bruce; 3/4/24 The American Hospital Association called Change Healthcare's temporary funding program for providers affected by the cyberattack on the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary inadequate, while a U.S. Senate leader asked CMS to speed up payments to hospitals. Change Healthcare set up the funding assistance March 1 for providers facing cash-flow issues after losing access to its payer systems, which have been down since the Feb. 21 ransomware attack. However, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack wrote in a March 4 letter to UnitedHealth Group that the program is "not even a Band-Aid on the payment problems you identify."

Pharmacy associations join forces to advocate for pharmacists during change healthcare outageNewswire Press Release; 3/3/24 Association executives from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) released an open letter to pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) executives and other insurance payers whose systems may have been impacted by the Change Healthcare outage. Pharmacists and pharmacies are asking for assurances that claims fulfilled during this outage will be paid, and paid in a timely manner, considering the challenges faced by pharmacies and pharmacists with predicting co-payments and determining eligibility and coverage. 

At Frieze LA, Gary Tyler finds resilience after prison—in each stitch of his poignant quilts ARTnews, by Steven Vargas; 2/29/24 Los Angeles–based artist Gary Tyler has been making quilts for close to 15 years but has yet to exhibit them in his hometown. This week, he will debut several of his intricate and emotionally packed pieces at Frieze Los Angeles, after having been named the winner of the fair’s Impact Prize. His quilts document the 42 years he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction of murder at age 17. His journey to receiving the prize may be unconventional, but for him, it is a reminder of the resilience of an artist.Publisher's note: This article features another quilter from the Angola Prison Hospice Project.

How will Kentucky's medical marijuana program be regulated? Here's where things stand Louisville Courier Journal, by Olivia Evans; 3/4/24The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program — which regulates the legal cultivation, production, sale and use of medical marijuana products — is set to officially start Jan. 1, 2025. ... In early January, Gov. Beshear's administration filed its first set of 10 regulations governing the industry and providing a framework for how businesses will operate. ... The 10 regulations focus on cultivators, processors, producers, safety compliance facilities, dispensaries and more. ... According to the website for the state medical cannabis program, the cabinet is in the process of developing additional regulations.

Home health disparities: Medicare Advantage patients receive fewer visits, worse outcomes Home Health Care News, by Patirck Filbin; 3/1/24Home health patients under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have worse functional outcomes compared to traditional Medicare patients, likely as a result of receiving fewer visits, according to a new study.

Hospice of the Chesapeake appoints new CEOThe Southern Maryland Chronicle, by David M. Higgins II; 3/1/24Rebecca Miller has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of the Chesapeake, a prominent not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing end-of-life care.

Aspirus Health completes St. Luke's Duluth acquisitionModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 3/1/24Aspirus Health finalized its acquisition of St. Luke's Duluth, forming a 19-hospital system spanning northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. ... As part of the transaction, Aspirus will invest at least $300 million over eight years in St. Luke’s and will expand its health plan to St. Luke’s service area within two years. In addition, Aspirus will honor all physician, labor and union contracts, the system said in a news release Friday. Editor's Note: Both Aspirus Health and St. Luke's Duluth provide hospice care.

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step. - Naeem Callaway 

Perceptions of interprofessional practitioners regarding pediatric palliative transports Am J Crit Care; by Harriett Swasey, Diana Morrill, Sandra Mott, Shannon Engstrand, and Jean Anne Connor; 3/1/24 Background: Pediatric palliative transport (PPT) is the practice of offering critically and terminally ill children requiring life-sustaining measures the opportunity to be discharged from the hospital to home or a hospice facility for end-of-life care. Although studies have shown PPT to favorably affect both children and their families, limited research exists on the perspectives of health care practitioners. 

3 predictions for the future of post-acute careBecker's Hospital Review, by Mariah Taylor; 2/28/24Robust in-home care, advances in technology and seamless access to nursing facilities are some of the ways leaders anticipate post-acute care may change in the next 50 years. Here, three leaders give their predictions and hopes for the industry in the future.

Joyce Slocum, Texas Public Radio president and CEO, in hospice careTexas Public Radio, by TPR Staff; 3/1/24Joyce Slocum, TPR's president and CEO, was hospitalized this week due to complications from colon cancer. In a statement on Thursday, TPR and Slocum's family added that she has transitioned to hospice care. "TPR must share the difficult news that President & CEO, Joyce Slocum, was hospitalized this weekend due to complications from a recurrence of her colon cancer, and has now transitioned to hospice care," the statement read. "Her family and the TPR staff are grateful for the outpouring of support and love for Joyce."

Frontpoint Health acquires High Plains Senior Care, expanding Texas footprint and Medicare Advantage partnerships BNN, by Salman Akhtar; 2/29/24 Frontpoint Health, a leader in Home Health and Hospice services, has officially acquired High Plains Senior Care Group (HPSC), marking a significant expansion into over 176 counties across Texas. This strategic move not only broadens Frontpoint's geographical reach but also strengthens its collaborations with Medicare Advantage plans in the Southeast, promising accelerated growth and enhanced care for Medicare Advantage patients.

Revolutionizing healthcare: New legislative measures reshape services and access in 2023 BNN, by Israel Ojoko; 2/28/24[Oklahoma Senate] Recent legislative actions have significantly altered the healthcare landscape, addressing issues in hospice care, long-term care training, pharmacy services, physician licensure, Medicaid, and substance abuse services.