Literature Review

You manage things. You lead people. ~ Grace Murray Hopper

Georgia hospice provider reaches $9.2M settlement with DOJ over kickback allegations McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 6/13/25 Georgia-based Creative Hospice Care Inc paid the Department of Justice $9.2 million to settle claims that it entered kickback arrangements with medical professionals in exchange for patient referrals, the DOJ disclosed Wednesday. “Decisions regarding end-of-life care are incredibly difficult and personal, and families must be able to trust the intentions of their chosen providers,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a statement. “Those who instead take advantage of the system for their own personal gain will be held accountable.”

Hospice a saving grace during our hardest time Pikes Peak Courier; by Mary Lovato; 6/11/25 ... I recently lost the two most important men in my life. My husband passed away from bladder cancer and within 6 months, my brother passed away from COPD. The individuals who worked for Hospice and helped us deal with the end of life of each of these loved ones were amazing. It wasn’t just the medical personnel, it was also the person who came to the house to set up the required equipment, it was the person who bathed the patient, it was the social worker, it was the person who offered spiritual guidance, it was even the person who in an emergency, delivered medicine in the middle of the night.

Nursing home is pressuring my mother-in-law to enter hospiceAging Care - Caregiver Forum - End of Life - Questions; question posed by "concerned8"; 6/12/25 I am her Health Care Surrogate but as they won't declare her incompetent it has not come into effect. I believe the home's intent is to prevent me from making the decision regarding hospice and instead to pressure her to enter it in various ways. ... I am not anti-hospice and expect her to enter it in the near future, but want that to be my decision, not the home's (even if it's portrayed as hers).  ... [An answer from another reader" Our family has only had bad experiences with three different hospice companies. Contrary to what most people believe, many patients are placed on hospice for free equipment and free services. I was told this by more than one hospice worker.Editor's Note: This post raises numerous troubling perceptions, with descriptions of poor hospice experiences. 

Providence announces 'difficult but necessary' restructure cutting 600 positions Fierce Healthcare; by Dave Muoio; 6/13/25 Providence said it launched a restructuring this week that will bring a reduction of 600 full-time-equivalent positions. The major nonprofit, which employs 125,000 people across seven Western states, said it will be shifting those affecting into other open positions “where possible.” There are more than 5,000 open roles across the system, it said. Affected roles are “primarily in non-clinical, administrative functions, though some patient-care roles are also impacted,” Providence said in its Thursday announcement. Transitional resources are being provided to impacted employees, it said. 

[Wales] 'Breaking point' as people in last 12 months of life occupy 'almost a fifth of Welsh hospital beds' Sky News; 6/3/25 People in the last 12 months of their life occupy "almost a fifth of Welsh hospital beds", according to a end of life care charity. Marie Curie Cymru says end of life care in Wales is "at breaking point" and is calling on the next Welsh government to ensure high-quality care. The charity says that, for many, support could be better provided at home or close to home, as it launched its manifesto for next year's Senedd election at Cardiff Bay's Norwegian Church on Tuesday. Gareth Miles died at home in Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire, in September 2023. Mr. Miles, who had Parkinson's disease, had spent 10 weeks in hospital before his last week.

Revolutionizing health in South Florida: The benefits of IV therapy and inclusive hospice care South Florida Reporter; by southfloridareporter.com; 6/8/25 ... South Florida is known for its multicultural population, making the expansion of hospice care to diverse groups particularly significant. Traditionally, certain cultural or community groups may have had hesitations or lacked access to hospice care due to language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, or lack of awareness. Increasingly, hospice organizations are focusing on outreach and education within these communities, breaking down barriers and encouraging patients and families to consider hospice as a valuable option for quality end-of-life care. 

Colorado exemplifies how to build upon paid leave progress to meet families’ evolving needs A Better Balance; 6/3/25 Colorado continues to pave the way for strong work-family protections by modeling how these policies can be expanded to meet families' needs. This spring, Colorado expanded the state’s paid family and medical leave program (the FAMLI Act, which our Colorado Office helped write and pass) to include an additional 12 weeks of paid leave for parents with a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. Governor Polis signed the bill into law on Friday, May 30th, and Colorado workers with a child in the NICU will be able to take additional leave under the expansion beginning on or after January 1, 2026. ... For parents with children in the NICU, additional time off work to remain present can be a lifeline during a stressful time.Editor's note: As we know, the fragile and uncertain health of an infant in a neonatal intensive care unit can, heartbreakingly, lead to death. This—one of the most devastating forms of loss—often leaves parents to grieve in silence, their sorrow compounded by the experience of disenfranchised grief. While family and friends care deeply, they frequently falter in their efforts to provide meaningful support. Bravo to Colorado's FAMLI Act. May more states follow their lead.

Willamette Vital Health completes affiliation with Chapters Health System Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/6/25 Oregon-based Willamette Vital Health has completed its affiliation with Chapter Health System. Willamette now becomes part of Chapters Health West, an extension of Florida-based Chapters’ footprint into Nevada, California and Oregon. Chapters Health West came into being with the affiliation of four hospices with Chapters, including Nathan Adelson, California-based Hospice of Santa Cruz County and Hospice East Bay and Willamette. The organization is the second to complete an affiliation with Chapters. Las Vegas-headquartered Nathan Adelson was the first to complete in April. 

The Alliance champions community-based solutions at Senate palliative care briefing National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 6/4/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) played a lead role in [Wednesday's] Senate Comprehensive Care Caucus briefing, which focused on expanding access to palliative care services for patients with serious illness. The bipartisan event, hosted by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Deb Fischer (R-NE), underscored the need for innovative models that deliver person-centered care in the home and community. Hillary Loeffler, Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs for the Alliance, moderated the panel discussion, guiding thoughtful conversation on access, workforce, and innovation in care delivery. 

Research study participation, 6/7/25

Some talk to you in their free time and some free their time to talk to you. Learn the difference. ~Unknown

NPHI proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming documentary for PBS, Caregiving, from Executive Producer Bradley Cooper National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 5/19/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is proud to announce its partnership on the upcoming PBS documentary Caregiving, a powerful new film executive produced by Academy Award-nominated actor, director, and producer Bradley Cooper. Created in collaboration with Cooper’s production company, Lea Pictures, as well as WETA Washington, D.C., and Ark Media, Caregiving will shine a national spotlight on the often unseen yet essential work of caregivers across the country. NPHI is honored to serve as a national partner on this important project. Narrated by Uzo Aduba (The Residence, Orange Is the New Black) and directed by Chris Durrance, Caregiving intertwines deeply personal stories of caregivers with the untold history of the American care system. The documentary examines how caregivers—often family members, friends, and frontline professionals—navigate the immense challenges and unseen achievements of their roles.