Literature Review
8 health system CEOs on the turbulence defining 2025
04/18/25 at 02:00 AM8 health system CEOs on the turbulence defining 2025 Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch and Kristin Kuchno; 4/16/25 From capacity constraints to reimbursement pressures, health system CEOs are navigating a changing healthcare landscape. One of the top concerns in 2025 is the potential for Medicaid funding cuts. A recent report estimates hospitals could face a $31.9 billion loss in revenue if federal proposals to scale back Medicaid expansion move forward. CEOs from across the country — including safety-net systems, academic medical centers and expanding regional providers — recently shared how they are preparing for continued uncertainty and what strategies they are prioritizing in response.
Ahead of National Volunteer Week and in celebration of National Volunteer Month, NPHI CEO urges Americans: “Step forward. Be present. Volunteer with your local hospice.”
04/17/25 at 03:10 AMAhead of National Volunteer Week and in celebration of National Volunteer Month, NPHI CEO urges Americans: “Step forward. Be present. Volunteer with your local hospice.” National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; by Matthew Wilkinson; 4/16/25 Ahead of National Volunteer Week next week, and in celebration of National Volunteer Month this April, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is shining a light on the often-unsung heroes of hospice: volunteers. These compassionate individuals are central to the mission of NPHI’s member providers nationwide, offering their time, energy, and hearts to patients and families during life’s most tender and vulnerable moments. NPHI member organizations rely on nearly 30,000 volunteers to keep their programs running—almost matching the number of full- and part-time staff employed across its national member network. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of hospice volunteers contribute millions of hours of service annually. This deep tradition of volunteerism isn’t just symbolic—it’s built into the very structure of hospice care. All Medicare-certified hospices are required to have volunteers actively involved in patient and family support, reflecting the core values of compassion and community care that define the field.Editor's note: Throughout the year, find this and more national observances on our newsletters "Healthcare Observances" tab at the top of our website, https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/resources/healthcare-observances.
Why risk managers need to address SaaS security
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMWhy risk managers need to address SaaS security Risk Management; by Chithra Rajagopalan; 4/15/25 As organizations increasingly adopt cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps that store and handle sensitive and proprietary company data, cybersecurity risks have quickly become direct financial concern. The stakes around SaaS have never been higher—today, current spend on SaaS tools like Workday, Google Workspace and ServiceNow is in the hundreds of billions, or approximately $8,700 per employee. ...
More than just meds: What a palliative care pharmacist learned from the bedside
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMMore than just meds: What a palliative care pharmacist learned from the bedside Pharmacy Times; by Trinh Bui, PharmD, Yale New Haven Health; April 2025 Issue A palliative care pharmacist highlights a spectrum of clinical opportunities for patients, caregivers, and clinicians when rounding at the bedside. ... I hold a unique clinical position. In 2018, the National Palliative Care Registry reported that less than 10% of national palliative care (PC) programs have a dedicated pharmacist. I am a member of the PC consultation service at a cancer hospital affiliated with a large tertiary academic medical center in New Haven, Connecticut. Routinely, we are consulted for at least 40 patients a day, with more than 2000 consults in 2024. ... A benefit of having a clinical pharmacist on the interdisciplinary team includes the ability to provide off-label medication to optimize complex medication regimens while honoring patients’ psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs. ...
Why good palliative care clinicians get fired
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMWhy good palliative care clinicians get fired JAMA Network - Viewpoint; by Abby R. Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA; Elliot Rabinowitz, MD; and Robert M. Arnold; 4/14/25 Even the most seasoned palliative care clinician gets fired. In the past year, one of us was fired after asking whether a patient endorsing suicidal ideation had access to a gun; the patient requested not to see the palliative care team because we asked intrusive questions and documented the encounter. One of us was fired after supporting a family’s decision to discontinue life-sustaining therapies for their loved one with multisystem organ failure; the primary intensivist suggested palliative care overstepped in discussing options for which the family (and clinical teams) was not ready. And one of us was fired after sharing the impression that a patient with cancer was dying; the family suggested they preferred the oncologist’s version of a more hopeful future.
Patient-centered communication drives supportive care needs in incurable cancer
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMPatient-centered communication drives supportive care needs in incurable cancer Oncology Nursing News; by Kristie L. Kahl; 4/16/25 The Primary Palliative Care Communication Intervention (PRECURSOR) may improve the psychosocial experiences of patients with incurable gynecologic cancer and their caregivers in the outpatient setting, according to results of a pilot study presented at the 50th Annual ONS Congress. ... Currently, most of the conversation around supportive care is provider-driven, and clinical tendency is to insert palliative care in the terminal setting. However, the study investigators aimed to integrate supportive care across the cancer continuum.
Empath Health commits funding for hospice, palliative care education at University of Southern Florida
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMEmpath Health commits funding for hospice, palliative care education at University of Southern FloridaHospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/16/25Hospice and senior services provider Empath Health is financially supporting clinical education in hospice and palliative care at the University of Southern Florida (USF). The company has made a $50,000 commitment to supporting education efforts. Empath will provide $10,000 annually to USF’s Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies. ... “At Empath Health, we are absolutely doubling down on how important investing in our people is to achieve those goals and outcomes,” CEO Jonathan Fleece said at the Home Care 100 conference in Florida.
Florida lawmakers unanimously approve bill to make medical marijuana cards free for military veterans
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMFlorida lawmakers unanimously approve bill to make medical marijuana cards free for military veterans Marijuana Moments; by Ben Adlin; 4/15/25 A Florida House panel on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would exempt military veterans from state registration fees for medical marijuana cards, allowing them to obtain the certifications for free. ... If HB 555 becomes law, the changes would take effect July 1.
CMS to withdraw federal Medicaid match for workforce, social needs, and infrastructure: What states, health care providers and community organizations need to know
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMCMS to withdraw federal Medicaid match for workforce, social needs, and infrastructure: What states, health care providers and community organizations need to know The National Law Review; by Margia Corner, Adam Herbst of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; 4/16/25 In a move signaling a major shift in federal priorities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently announced it will limit federal funding for state Medicaid initiatives that support services beyond direct medical care. ... On April 10, CMS notified states that it will no longer approve new, or renew existing, state proposals for Section 1115(a) Demonstration Project expenditure authority to provide federal matching funds for state expenditures for designated state health programs (“DSHP”) and designated state investment programs (“DSIP”).
Most men secretly regret these life decisions once they hit 50
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMMost men secretly regret these life decisions once they hit 50 Bolde; by Natasha Lee; 4/15/25 Hitting the big 5-0 has a way of making you take stock of your life choices. It's that moment when the road behind you starts looking longer than the one ahead, and suddenly, those decisions you made in your 20s, 30s, and 40s come into sharper focus. ... I've gathered insights from countless discussions with men in their 50s and beyond to shed light on these common regrets.
Months after CEO’s killing, an intruder is arrested near UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnesota
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMMonths after CEO’s killing, an intruder is arrested near UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnesota WIZM News Talk, Minneapolis, MN; by Associated Press; 4/15/25 A man was arrested near UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters in Minnesota after threatening violence, months after the company’s CEO was killed, authorities said Monday. The man was spotted around 11 a.m. in a parking lot outside of the UnitedHealthcare corporate campus in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka. City spokesman Andy Wittenborg said the man contacted the FBI’s field office in Minneapolis once he arrived, and an FBI negotiator made contact with him by phone. ... News helicopter video of the aftermath showed over a dozen law enforcement vehicles from multiple agencies at the scene, as well as an ambulance that was standing by. There were no reports of injuries.
German doctor charged with murdering 15 patients
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMGerman doctor charged with murdering 15 patients Time.News; Press Release; 4/16/25 ... The accusations against the unnamed 40-year-old doctor are disturbing: administering lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients without their knowledge. This raises unsettling questions about the boundaries of medical ethics and the role of healthcare professionals in the lives—and deaths—of their patients. Between September 2021 and July 2024, the doctor allegedly unmasked a hidden danger, killing 12 women and three men, some as young as 25 and others as old as 94. Prosecutors have warned that the total may rise as investigations deepen, with additional exhumations of suspicious deaths planned. ... What makes this case even more sinister is the alleged attempts by the doctor to conceal his actions—setting fire to his patients’ homes to destroy evidence.
Join Rebecca Ramsey and Chris Comeaux in exploring the future of home care
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMJoin Rebecca Ramsey and Chris Comeaux in exploring the future of home care Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Rebecca Ramsey; 4/16/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Rebecca Ramsay, CEO of Housecall Providers. Rebecca shares her unique journey in healthcare and emphasizes the importance of nonprofit organizations in delivering quality care. Rebecca discusses the evolution of Housecall Providers, the significance of home-based primary care, and the interdisciplinary approach required to meet the needs of patients with complex conditions. She also advocates for Hospice organizations to expand into home-based primary care, highlighting the growing demand and the gaps in current services. Chris and Rebecca explore the challenges of maintaining a stable workforce, the complexities of payment structures, and the importance of a steady referral stream for viable home-based primary care.
Aveanna CEO Jeff Shaner: Medicaid uncertainty detrimental to markets
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMAveanna CEO Jeff Shaner: Medicaid uncertainty detrimental to markets Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 4/16/25 Earlier this month, Aveanna Healthcare Holdings (Nasdaq: AVAH) announced plans to acquire Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care for $75 million. ... This expands Aveanna’s private-duty services, home health and hospice care, and medical solutions in 27 states. ... Home Health Care News spoke with Aveanna CEO Jeff Shaner about this acquisition, future M&A plans, the impact of potential Medicaid cuts and the value of home-based care. ... Shaner: Regarding the broader M&A strategy, I would say M&A is not our core strategy; caring for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients remains our core mission. However, enhancing our growth profile through add-on acquisition strategies, primarily in our Medicaid business, private-duty service business like Thrive, and home health and hospice businesses, is our focus in 2025 and 2026. ... However, the uncertainty regarding Medicaid and federal funding prompts us to reconsider any long-term investments and ensure we have strategically contemplated the reasons for such investments.
Today's Encouragement: With the story of your life, ...
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMWith the story of your life, you don't get to write the whole book, just your character. ~ Olivia Munn
HHS restructuring and workforce reductions – key implications for the health care industry
04/17/25 at 02:00 AMHHS restructuring and workforce reductions – key implications for the health care industry JD Supra; by Mintz.com; 4/15/25 ... As part of the department-wide restructuring plan, HHS is in the process of consolidating 28 different divisions into 15 divisions. As of April 4, 2025, it had also reduced the number of Regional Offices from ten to five. ...
Where bills stand in the Nevada legislature in 2025: ... AB161 - Hospice Care
04/16/25 at 03:10 AMWhere bills stand in the Nevada legislature in 2025: ... AB161 - Hospice Care Fox 5 - KU-TV, Las Vegas, NV; by FOX5 Staff; 4/14/25 FOX5 gathered the most high-profile bills moving in the Nevada legislature this year. Here’s where they stand: ...
NABIP responds to HHS Proposed Rule on Marketplace Integrity
04/16/25 at 03:10 AMNABIP responds to HHS Proposed Rule on Marketplace Integrity National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals; by Kelly Lousedes; 4/14/25 The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) submitted formal comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule, CMS-9884-P: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability. While NABIP strongly supports efforts to enhance program integrity, it strongly objects to elements that could lead to unfair treatment of licensed health insurance professionals. ...
For AYAs with advanced cancer, study finds serious communication gaps about their care
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMFor AYAs with advanced cancer, study finds serious communication gaps about their care National Cancer Institute; by Daryl McGrath; 4/15/25 Many adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with advanced cancer don’t have discussions with their clinicians about how they want to approach palliative care until the final weeks of life, a study of medical records of nearly 2,000 young patients showed. ... Talking about care and treatment near the end of life is one of the most challenging aspects of caring for AYAs with advanced cancer, said Ashley Wilder Smith, Ph.D., M.P.H., of NCI’s Healthcare Delivery Research Program and co-leader of NCI’s Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Working Group. ... “When a young person is faced with a disease that may lead to an early death, it’s vitally important to give them the opportunity to think about what’s most important to them and what happens to them in terms of care in the time they have left,” she said.
AI in procurement: How different industries are harnessing its power
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMAI in procurement: How different industries are harnessing its power Spend Matters; by Spend Matters Team; 4/15/25 ... Across industries, AI is capable of reshaping procurement, making it smarter, more predictive and highly efficient. In this article we will highlight some of the key changes AI has made to procurement strategies in the following industries: manufacturing and industrials, life sciences and healthcare, and the public sector.
CMS halts spending for nonmedical in-home Medicaid services, likely affecting providers
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMCMS halts spending for nonmedical in-home Medicaid services, likely affecting providers McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/13/25 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told states last week that it would not approve future federal matching funds for designated state health programs (DSHPs) and designated state investment programs (DSIPs). These programs are widely used to help Medicaid beneficiaries remain at home and in their communities.
CMS clarifies physician referral authority, tightens attestation requirements in proposed hospice rule
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMCMS clarifies physician referral authority, tightens attestation requirements in proposed hospice ruleInside Health Policy; by Jalen Brown; 4/11/25... The proposed rule would explicitly allow the physician member of the hospice interdisciplinary group (IDG) to recommend patients for hospice care, addressing a gap in current regulations over which physicians have that authority. While CMS already lets IDG physicians certify that a patient is terminally ill and eligible for hospice, the existing admission rules only name the hospice medical director or physician designee as authorized to recommend admission. CMS also wants to strengthen documentation requirements for hospice recertification, ... Starting at day 180 and every 60 days thereafter, Medicare requires a hospice physician or nurse practitioner (NP) to conduct a face-to-face visit with the patient before recertifying eligibility. After the visit, the clinician must provide a written attestation confirming that the visit occurred and was used to assess whether the patient still qualifies for hospice care. Under CMS' proposal, that attestation would also need to include the clinician's signature and the date signed, submitted as a clearly labeled section or addendum to the recertification form.
Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day - Make your advance care plans
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMToday is National Healthcare Decisions Day - Make your advance care plans Institute for Healthcare Improvement - The Conversation Project; retrieved from the internet 4/14/25The links and resources [provided in this article] explore a variety of resources to help make, discuss and document future healthcare wishes and decisions in your advance care planning. ... The Conversation Project offers free tools, guidance, and resources to begin talking with those who matter most about your and their wishes.
The modern health care professional: How to combine skills from different fields to redefine your career
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMThe modern health care professional: How to combine skills from different fields to redefine your career MedPage Today's KevinMD.com; by Jalene Jacob, MD, MBA; 4/11/25 Gone are the days when careers followed linear paths and job titles neatly fit into predefined boxes. Today’s health care industry celebrates versatility, and hybrid professionals are redefining what it means to succeed. A hybrid health care professional combines skills and expertise from different fields, blending knowledge to create unique value in the health care space. Whether you’re a nurse with coding skills, a doctor with a passion for data analysis and research, or a biomedical engineer with a talent for design and business, hybridization is becoming the new competitive advantage. This article explores how early professionals can harness their diverse interests and talents to shape their careers and stand out in a rapidly evolving job market.