Literature Review



Trump’s first 60 days: The impact on the home health industry

03/24/25 at 03:00 AM

Trump’s first 60 days: The impact on the home health industry Home Health News; by Audrie Martin; 3/20/25 Tax, immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion policies are some of the top-of-mind regulatory concerns for home health agencies in 2025. The first 60 days of the Trump Administration and their impact on the home health care industry were highlighted during a webinar hosted by the Polsinelli Law Firm on Thursday. National Alliance for Care at Home CEO Steve Landers and Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) CEO Jason Lee joined representatives from Polsinelli to discuss potential Medicaid cuts, the importance of extending telehealth services, and the need for workforce expansion. The webinar also explored how executive orders and administrative actions are affecting home care and hospice services. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

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Utah funeral home is first in state to offer "human composting" as a green alternative to traditional burials

03/24/25 at 03:00 AM

Utah funeral home is first in state to offer "human composting" as a green alternative to traditional burials Salt Lake City Weekly, Salt Lake City, UT; by Aimee L. Cook; 3/19/25 ... Jason and Shayneh Starks, who opened [Starks Funeral Parlor in Millcreek] in 2005, offer their clients an innovative and environmentally conscious option—natural organic reduction (NOR), often called human composting. This process transforms the deceased into nutrient-rich soil over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. While the concept may sound unconventional to some, it's gaining traction with families in Utah and beyond, ... "We're seeing a lot of interest from environmentally conscious individuals who want a natural, meaningful way to return to the earth," observed Shayneh Starks, who has worked in funeral services since 1995. Natural organic reduction has already been legalized in states like Washington, Oregon and California, but Utah has yet to officially approve this process.  Currently, Starks Funeral Parlor assists families who wish to choose this option by transferring remains out of state to Seattle, ensuring that those who value NOR have access to it.

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Writer survey: 42% of c-suite say Gen AI is tearing their companies apart

03/24/25 at 03:00 AM

Writer survey: 42% of c-suite say Gen AI is tearing their companies apart Inside AI News, San Francisco, CA; by Staff; 3/19/25 Writer, a generative AI platform for the enterprise, today announced the release of its 2025 AI Survey: “Generative AI Adoption in the Enterprise.” The study, conducted in partnership with independent research firm Workplace Intelligence, is intended to provide a lens into the experiences of knowledge workers and C-suite executives actively using AI in the workplace.

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Hospice of the Panhandle gets van through grant

03/24/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospice of the Panhandle gets van through grant The Journal, Martinsburg, WV; 3/19/25 As a result of a generous state Local Economic Development Assistance (LEDA) grant secured by state Sens. Jason Barrett and Patricia Rucker and former state Sen. Craig Blair, Hospice of the Panhandle was able to purchase this 2025 Toyota Sienna custom van, designed for non-emergency transportation. Since coming into service on March 1, the van has transported 15 patients to and from area hospitals to Hospice’s Inpatient Facility and from the IPF to patients’ homes. “We are so excited to provide this much-needed service,” said CEO Nikki Bigiarelli. “It assures that we can get patients into hospice care, to our facilty and to their homes safely and quickly.”  

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St. Croix Hospice opens new Eagan location

03/24/25 at 03:00 AM

St. Croix Hospice opens new Eagan location Sun Thisweek Dakota County Tribune, Eagan, MN; by Kara Hildreth; 3/20/25 The new Eagan St. Croix Hospice office opened this week to give support and end-of-life care from personal care teams. St. Croix Hospice team welcomed local businesses and city leaders March 18 to its ribbon cutting at 2121 Cliff Drive, Suite 101. The Eagan team said it looks forward to offering personalized end-of-life care to patients, their families, and caregivers.

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Introducing our new President and CEO, Dan Ayres: Coastal Hospice welcomes experienced hospice leader

03/24/25 at 02:30 AM

Introducing our new President and CEO, Dan Ayres: Coastal Hospice welcomes experienced hospice leader Coastal Hospice, Salisbury, MD; Press Release; 3/21/25 The Coastal Hospice Board of Directors is pleased to announce Dan Ayres to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Hospice, effective April 2025. We are excited to welcome Dan to the Coastal Hospice family, including our dedicated staff, volunteers, leadership, and medical professionals. ...  “Ayres is a respected hospice leader, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Coastal Hospice team,” said Coastal Hospice Board Chair Morgan Fisher. “His strategic vision, proven record of operational excellence, and sheer passion for this work make him the perfect fit to guide Coastal Hospice effectively.” The Board also extends its deepest gratitude to Ann Lovely, RN, BSN, CHPN, for her outstanding leadership and dedication as Interim President and CEO during this critical period. Her contributions have been invaluable ...

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‘Disturbing’ outlook: Hospices’ top regulatory concerns in 2025

03/24/25 at 02:00 AM

‘Disturbing’ outlook: Hospices’ top regulatory concerns in 2025 Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/20/25 Telehealth policies and program integrity concerns represent two of the leading regulatory issues on hospices’ radar this year. Regulatory changes and increasing oversight were the second-most cited concerns among nearly a quarter (21%) of 112 hospice professionals who participated in this year’s Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase. Challenges around staffing and improved public awareness also topped the list of providers’ concerns. This is the third piece of this three-part Hospice News series that explores the significant regulatory challenges facing hospice providers in 2025. 

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Medicare Payment Advisory Commission [MedPAC] releases report to Congress on Medicare Payment Policy

03/23/25 at 03:55 AM

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission [MedPAC] releases report to Congress on Medicare Payment Policy Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Washington, DC; News Release, contact Stephanie Cameron; 3/13/25Today [3/13/25], the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) releases its March 2025 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. The report presents MedPAC’s recommendations for updating provider payment rates in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare for 2026, providing additional resources to acute care hospitals and clinicians who furnish care to Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes, and eliminating certain Medicare coverage limits on stays in freestanding inpatient psychiatric facilities. The report reviews the status of ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Medicare Part C), and the Part D prescription drug program (Medicare Part D). ... Fee-for-service payment rate update recommendations. ... MedPAC recommends ... payment reductions relative to current law for hospice providers, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.  [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

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VITAS Healthcare is first hospice organization to earn American Heart Association Heart Failure Certification across all 15 states and DC

03/23/25 at 03:50 AM

VITAS Healthcare is first hospice organization to earn American Heart Association Heart Failure Certification across all 15 states and DC Florida News Guide, Miami, FL; Press Release; 3/18/25 ... VITAS has become the first nationwide hospice provider to earn the American Heart Association® Palliative/Hospice Heart Failure certification across all 15 states in which it operates. The certification applies to 56 unique VITAS service areas, including the District of Columbia. ... “Many patients with heart failure do not receive the hospice care that could significantly improve their final months of life,” said Joseph Shega, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at VITAS. “This certification affirms our commitment to providing evidence-based hospice care that helps patients and families navigate advanced heart disease with dignity, comfort and the right level of support.”

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Hospice of Redmond presents a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony

03/23/25 at 03:45 AM

Hospice of Redmond presents a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day CeremonyCascade Business News; by CBN; 3/18/25... Did you or someone you know serve in the military between 1955 and 1975? Hospice of Redmond would like to thank you for your service. This year marks the 50th anniversary for the end of the Vietnam War. The Scottish American Military Society will present veterans and their spouses with a Vietnam Lapel pin which was established in 2011 by Congress and administered by the DOD. Editor's note: Click here for more about this 50th Anniversary, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025

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How work in the hospice field differs from hospital work

03/23/25 at 03:40 AM

How work in the hospice field differs from hospital work Healthcare Business Today; 3/17/25 ... How work in the hospice field differs from hospital work goes beyond the obvious difference in care settings—it reflects a fundamental shift in approach, focus, and philosophy. Hospice focuses on enhancing quality of life, while hospitals often prioritize life-saving interventions. This contrast not only shapes patient care but also defines the role of the medical teams in these environments.

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Less wealth at death linked to more end-of-life symptoms

03/23/25 at 03:35 AM

Less wealth at death linked to more end-of-life symptoms McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 3/10/25 Older people with less wealth showed a higher burden of symptoms when they approached the end of their lives compared with those who had more wealth, a study found. The report was published in JAMA Network Open on March 6. Investigators looked at data from 8,976 older adults. The team evaluated 12 end-of-life symptoms including difficulty breathing, frequent vomiting, low appetite, difficulty controlling arms and legs, depression, and severe fatigue or exhaustion.Then they correlated symptoms to individuals’ wealth. Wealth was broken into three categories: low wealth was having less than $6,000; medium wealth was having between $6,000 and $120,000; and high wealth was considered having more than $120,000 at the time of death. Of respondents, 22.5% had low wealth, 50.5% had medium wealth and 27.1% had higher wealth. People who had less wealth were more likely to have a higher burden of symptoms compared to those who had more money. Functional impairment, multimorbidity and dementia were factors that affected the association, data revealed.Editor's note: Click here for this important JAMA article, posted in our Saturday Research issue 3/15/25, "Wealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adults."

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MedPAC’s flawed recommendations would harm patients and increase costs

03/23/25 at 03:30 AM

MedPAC’s flawed recommendations would harm patients and increase costs National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, DC and Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/14/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) released the following statement on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) March 2025 Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. ... “MedPAC’s recommendations are based on flawed and incomplete analyses with conclusions unsupported by all the available facts. These recommendations severely undervalue the critical role that home health and hospice providers play in ensuring the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries,” said Alliance CEO Dr. Steve Landers. “Recommending unthinkable cuts for home health and stagnant payment rates for hospice in the face of workforce shortages and inflation threaten access to these vital services for our aging population and undermine the dedicated providers who support them. ..."

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End-of-life conversations: ‘When they open the door, you have to go in’

03/23/25 at 03:25 AM

End-of-life conversations: ‘When they open the door, you have to go in’ Oncology Nursing News; video by Pattie Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN; 3/13/25Oncology nurses have a unique relationship with patients that allows for difficult but essential end-of-life conversations, says expert Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN. Jakel, one of the editors in chief of Oncology Nursing News, emphasized that following up with patients and ascertaining what answers and support they need comes with the close bonds that oncology nurses form with patients with cancer. ... [Jakel describes:] We play a really important role. And sometimes patients ask us difficult questions, and we have to be prepared for it. I remember a lovely young patient I had, she had 2 little girls, and she was very sick. And things weren’t going well for her in the hospital, and she just—she looked up at me and she said, "Am I dying today?" And I thought, "She’s opening the door. She needs to have this conversation.” [Click here to hear this nurse describe the gentle interaction that unfolded.]Editor's note: Share this significant, sensitive video/article from Oncology Nursing News with your nurses. What communication education and support do you provide for your nurses? Explore this similar article from Oncology Nursing News, "APPs, Oncologists Work Together for End-of-Life Discussions," 11/2/24.

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Hospice care quality: Latest CMS data

03/23/25 at 03:20 AM

Hospice care quality: Latest CMS data Becker's Hospital Review; by Elizabeth Gregerson; 3/12/25 CMS has analyzed data from more than 5,000 hospice agencies for its latest update to Care Compare. Care Compare, a consumer search tool for home health, hospice and other Medicare-reimbursed healthcare services, provides patients with information to make informed decisions about healthcare. National hospice care quality data from April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, was published by the agency Feb. 19. ... The proportion of hospice patients who received each care measure:

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U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Hearing Health Subcommittee “After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care”

03/23/25 at 03:15 AM

U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Hearing Health Subcommittee  “After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care” U.S. House of Representatives Documents (Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.); by Jonathan D. Fleece, President & CEO Empath Health; 3/11/25 Chairman Buchanan, Ranking Member Doggett, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. ... As President and CEO of Empath Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit home-based care organizations, it is an honor and privilege to serve one in five Floridians who need hospice care. ... My commitment to this mission is deeply personal. After losing my first daughter at birth, I dedicated my life’s work to ensuring that no family faces serious illness or loss without the support, dignity, and compassion they deserve. That experience shaped my belief that health care must do more than treat symptoms—it must care for the whole person and those who love them. ... Today, as the leader of Empath Health, I remain committed to advancing that vision—ensuring that patients and families have access to the right care, at the right time, in the place they call home. That is the foundation to my testimony: to speak for the millions of Americans who rely on home-based care and the policies that make it possible. ...

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System upgrades: New features and any interruptions for you?

03/23/25 at 03:10 AM

System upgrades: New features and any interruptions for you? 3/14/2025, Editor's note: Upon upgrading our technical system, we are aware that a few readers have not received one or more recent newsletters. If you have experienced this, please let us know, as we are committed to ensuring timely excellence for you.

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MedPAC 2025 Annual Report Released

03/23/25 at 03:05 AM

MedPAC 2025 Annual Report ReleasedMedPAC Report; 3/15/25 - sent 3/18/25 @ 3:00 PM ETFor fiscal year 2026, the Congress should eliminate the update to the 2025 Medicare base payment rates for hospice. In 2023, more than 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries (including more than half of decedents) received hospice services from about 6,500 providers, and Medicare hospice expenditures totaled $25.7 billion. [Click the title's link to download and read MedPAC's most recent Report to Congress - Hospice chapter.]

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Sunday newsletters

03/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Sunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!

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Today's Encouragement

03/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Within Me, by Albert CamusIn the midst of hate, I found there was,within me, an invincible love.In the midst of tears, I found there was,within me, an invincible smile.Click the link above to read the full poem.

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Alliance Statement on MACPAC Report

03/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Alliance Statement on MACPAC Report National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/18/25 On Thursday, March 13th, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its semi-annual report, which included three chapters and five recommendations. (See analysis from the National Alliance for Care at Home HERE and HERE.) Two recommendations in the MACPAC report concern home and community-based services (HCBS):

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[Germany] Web-based educational tools and decision aids for patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review

03/22/25 at 03:55 AM

[Germany] Web-based educational tools and decision aids for patients with advanced cancer: A systematic reviewPatient Education and Counseling; Phoebe Ullrich, Henrike Voß, Laura Unsöld, Michael Thomas, Matthias Villalobos; 2/25In advanced cancer care, patient involvement in decision-making is complex. Web-based solutions are promising because of easy accessibility and dissemination and the ability to adapt information to patients' needs and new treatment developments. Still, only a few evidence-based web-based educational tools and decision aids are available. Filling this gap is essential to empower patients to make informed and goal-concordant treatment decisions.

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[UK] Why we need to consider frailty in the assisted dying debate

03/22/25 at 03:55 AM

[UK] Why we need to consider frailty in the assisted dying debateAge and Aging; Sarah A Hopkins, Annabel Price, Simon N Etkind; 2/25Assisted dying/assisted suicide (AD/AS) is legal or decriminalised in several countries and Bills to legalise it are currently being considered by the UK and Scottish Parliaments. Older adults living with frailty make up an increasing proportion of those who die, yet the possible implications of AD/AS for these individuals are relatively unexplored. Frailty complicates AD/AS in relation to eligibility because of ambiguity over whether frailty constitutes a terminal illness, challenges in accurately predicting prognosis, and difficulty determining reversibility of suffering. Frailty also blurs the distinction between terminal illness and disability, in contrast to the clear-cut language of current proposed legislation where those with a terminal illness are eligible, but those with disability are not. Further consideration is needed regarding eligibility, safeguards in the context of relational autonomy and for those who already feel a burden, and how to mitigate risks of further entrenching ableist and ageist attitudes.

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Feasibility study of using electronic patient-reported outcomes to screen patients with advanced solid cancers for palliative care needs

03/22/25 at 03:50 AM

Feasibility study of using electronic patient-reported outcomes to screen patients with advanced solid cancers for palliative care needsJournal of Palliative Medicine; Tara L Kaufmann, Matthew Kearney, Dagoberto Cortez, John W Saxton, Katie Goodfellow, Carolyn Smith, Patrick Chang, Katherine Sebastian, Aaron Galaznik, Julie Scott, Elizabeth Ann Kvale, Arif H Kamal, Antonia V Bennett, Angela M Stover, Ashley M Henneghan, Michael Pignone, Gabrielle Betty Rocque; 3/25Standardized, needs-based screening and triage systems are essential to more effectively address patients' palliative care needs. We developed a 13-item ePRO [electronic patient-reported outcomes] palliative care survey to assess multidimensional palliative care needs and conducted a pilot study (n = 25) of a palliative care screening intervention using ePRO monitoring and presentation of ePRO reports to a multidisciplinary care team. Patients found the ePRO palliative survey acceptable and appropriate. Screening patients for unmet palliative needs using ePRO monitoring is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate among patients, but more work is needed to understand the perspectives of diverse patients and how to integrate ePRO palliative care screening into clinical workflows.

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Employer-sponsored digital health platforms for mental wellness—A good investment

03/22/25 at 03:50 AM

Employer-sponsored digital health platforms for mental wellness—A good investmentJAMA Network Open; Molly Candon, PhD; Rebecca E. Stewart, PhD; 2/25The authors evaluate an employer-sponsored digital health platform (Spring Health; Spring Care Inc) that screens employees for mental health conditions and, when warranted, connects them to treatment. Hawrilenko et al found a reduction in health care spending among digital health platform users compared with a matched comparison group. These findings contribute to a broader literature that considers the economic value of employer-sponsored interventions aimed at mental wellness ... There are broader implications of the study by Hawrilenko et al, because employer-sponsored digital health platforms are among the quickest and easiest pathways to grant a majority of US individuals accessible mental health care. 

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