Literature Review

2026 Forbes top hospitals Forbes; edited by Rachel Rabkin Peachman; 12/4/25 Forbes has developed its inaugural list: Forbes Top Hospitals 2026. This unique rating system evaluates general acute care hospitals throughout the United States to offer consumers unbiased information on which hospitals can offer top-notch, high-value medical services, no matter where they are in the country—as well as a benchmark against which hospitals can compare their performance to that of their peers. ... Central to the methodology is its emphasis on clinical patient outcomes (such as rates of mortality, survival, infection and readmissions). These measures were given the most weight and, therefore, had the most influence on each hospital’s overall rating. Editor's Note: Go to this article and scroll down to "The Full List." You can search by name, filter by state, see methodology (link next to "Star Ratings"), and see star ratings for "Overall," "Outcomes," "Best Practices," "Value," and "Patient Experience." A related article about this list is by Becker's Hospital Review, "253 5-star hospitals: Forbes." Are any hospitals you partner with listed? Share this article and congratulate them.

A Place for Mom’s refreshed marketing strategy focused on family stories, thought leadership Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/8/25 Upon the 25th anniversary of its founding, the senior services company A Place for Mom is undergoing a rebrand and redesigning its marketing strategy. The company’s name is not changing as part of the rebrand. Rather, A Place for Mom has a new logo and visual identity and has developed a data-driven, tech-enabled approach to marketing that leverages AI, social media and video content. This is coupled with efforts to further establish the company as a thought leader in the senior care space.

Social worker dies from injuries suffered in San Francisco hospital stabbing attack: Police ABC News; by Bill Hutchinson; 12/7/25 A social worker, described by colleagues as "remarkable" and "compassionate," has died from stab wounds she suffered when a patient armed with a steak knife allegedly attacked her inside a San Francisco hospital, according to authorities. The victim, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead on Saturday, two days after she was stabbed repeatedly inside Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to the San Francisco Sheriff's Office. The victim was described by the sheriff's office as a 51-year-old University of California, San Francisco, social worker. 

HOV honors family traditions North Central News; by Staff; 12/8/25 Family traditions enrich the holiday season, and for Hispanic families in the community, Día de los Muertos is an especially meaningful observance, says Lin Sue Flood, director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley. “Though the name translates to ‘Day of the Dead,’ this cherished Mexican holiday is not a morbid occasion. Instead, it is a vibrant celebration that honors those we hold dear through ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, favorite foods and bright marigolds, alongside music and dancing,” she added. ... Organizer Dulce Rodriguez noted that the event helps reinforce family bonds across generations and strengthens cultural identity.

Inside TRU Thrift’s Giving Room: How Boulder donations reach neighbors in need The Gazette, Boulder, CO; by Tricia Stortz; 12/6/25 In the back of TRU Community Care’s Thrift Shop in Boulder, past racks of winter coats and holiday decor, there’s a doorway most shoppers never notice. Step through it, and you enter the Giving Room, a bustling, volunteer-run operation where nearly nothing goes to waste and where unsold items find new purpose across Boulder County. The space is compact, but the impact is wide. More than 30 local partner organizations – from homeless outreach teams to youth programs, animal shelters, mobility-assistance nonprofits and more – rely on the items flowing through this little room. Editor's Note: Calling all hospice organizations that have a thrift shop, read on!

Healthcare fraud enforcement trends to expect in 2026 JD Supra; by Arnall Golden Gregory; 12/8/25Key Takeaways

MedPAC to recommend 7% cut to 2027 home health payment rate Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 12/8/25 Just over a week after home health providers were hit with the announcement that their 2026 Medicare payment rates would be reduced by a 1.3% aggregate cut, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) agreed to recommend a significantly more drastic cut for the following year. On Friday, MedPAC released a draft report recommending that Congress reduce the Medicare base payment rate for home health care services for calendar year 2027 by 7%. 

Hospice House marks 20 years of compassion and community support KTLO.com, Mountain Home, AR; by Staff; 12/4/25 The Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice House is celebrating a major milestone this week, 20 years of providing comfort and dignity to families across the Twin Lakes Area. On Friday [12/5], the community is invited to join the celebration from noon until 2 at the administration building. Rebecca Rainer, relationship and giving officer, says the Dec. 5 date was intentional, marking exactly two decades since the hospice house first opened in 2005.

Revelstoke Capital-Backed The Care Team acquires select assets of Traditions Health Revelstoke Capital Partners, Denver, CO; 12/4/25 Revelstoke Capital Partners (“Revelstoke”), a growth-oriented, healthcare-focused private equity firm, announced today that its portfolio company, The Care Team, has acquired select hospice and palliative care operations from Traditions Health, a Tennessee-based hospice, palliative, and home health provider with operations in 16 states. The Care Team, a hospice provider, acquired Traditions Health operations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia, complementing its existing locations in Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. 

Poinsettias bring Christmas cheer and funds for hospice The Times-News; by Tommy Murphy; 12/4/25 This week, thousands of red and green poinsettias have been hand-delivered to folks across Troup County and beyond as part of a fundraiser for Wellstar West Georgia Hospice. ... This is the 36th annual poinsettia fundraiser held by West Georgia Hospice. It’s their second-largest fundraiser of the year behind their annual Ely Callaway Golf Tournament, said Sandy Melton, volunteer coordinator for West Georgia Hospice. ... This year, they’re delivering around 3,800 poinsettias.

The alphabet soup of laboratory compliance Parkview Health; by Amy Stiles; 12/4/25 Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries can review their healthcare coverage and choose to enroll in or switch between Original (Traditional) Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans for the upcoming year. However, many people may not realize that the type of plan they choose can affect how certain laboratory tests are processed and billed. In this post, we aim to unscramble the letters and bring clarity to common Medicare terminology, helping you better understand what your plan offers and how to maximize the value of your benefits.

Bristol Hospice expands into Alabama with acquisition of DaySpring Hospice offices Bristol Hospice; New Locations; 12/3/25 Bristol Hospice is pleased to announce the acquisition of three DaySpring Hospice offices in Alabama, located in Enterprise, Dothan, and Andalusia. This expansion reflects Bristol’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered end-of-life care. The DaySpring name carries a strong legacy of compassionate service throughout the Wiregrass region and Bristol Hospice is honored to continue that legacy for years to come.