Literature Review

Bipartisan group of N.Y. legislators urge Hochul to sign bill preventing for-profit hospice expansion Spectrum News 1, Northern New York; by Susan Arbetter; 10/9/25 Because hospice care doesn’t provide curative treatment, for-profit companies, including private equity firms, are swiftly entering the field because they can make a lot of money. It hasn’t worked out well. In New York state, there are 39 not-for-profit hospice programs and two for-profit. There are those who point to the state’s low hospice utilization rate and say the answer is to open the state up to more for-profit hospice. State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat from Manhattan, and state Assemblyman Brian Maher, a Republican from the Hudson Valley, both strongly disagree.

Telepalliation creates a sense of security: A qualitative study of patients with cancer receiving palliative carePalliative Medicine; by Jarl Voss Andersen Sigaard, Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensen, Una Rósa Birgisdóttir, Helle Spindler, Birthe Dinesen; 10/7/25 ... The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences with the functionality of the Telepalliation program while receiving specialized palliative care. ... Results: Four key themes emerged: "Sense of coherence," "Telepal platform," "Roles of spouse/partner and relatives," and "Cross-sector collaboration." The program improved patients' sense of security and coherence by enhancing communication with healthcare professionals. ... The platform also successfully integrated relatives into the care process. Editor's Note: While this research was conducted in Denmark, it surely resonates with patient care in the US. Reference articles in the uncertainties of government shutdowns, legislative needs to extend telehealth, and more: 

Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems Wisconsin Watch; by Mario Koran and Sreejita Patra; 10/7/25 Increased use of compassionate release could ease costs and crowding with minimal risks to public safety, experts say. But it remains off limits to many prisoners. ... Wisconsin grants few applicants compassionate release, leaving many severely ill inmates in short-staffed prisons that often struggle to meet health care needs. Wisconsin courts approved just 53, or 11%, of 489 compassionate release petitions they received between January 2019 and June 2025 — about eight petitions a year, Corrections data show. Courts approved just five of 63 petitions filed in all of 2024. 

What is water cremation and why did Pa. lawmakers just back a bill to legalize it? LeighValleyLive.com, Leigh Valley, PA; by Lehigh Valley Community News; 10/5/25 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation on Wednesday authorizing alkaline hydrolysis, commonly known as water cremation, as an approved cremation method in the state. The bill would give Pennsylvania families a more environmentally sustainable option for end-of-life services. Alkaline hydrolysis uses a mixture of water and alkali in a sealed pressurized steel chamber to reduce the body to bone, which is then processed into ash. The process consumes significantly less energy than traditional flame cremation, which requires temperatures exceeding 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Mayo Clinic, alkaline hydrolysis uses only about one-quarter of the energy required for flame cremation. 

CMS issues memo with contingency plans for state survey & certification activities in the event of federal government shutdown CMS - Center for Clinical Standards and Quality; by CMS Directors, Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) and Survey & Operations Group (SOG); 10/1/25 On October 1, 2025, CMS issued QSO-26-01-ALL identifying State Survey and Certification functions that (a) are not affected by a Federal shutdown, (b) excepted functions that are to be continued in the event of a shutdown (also referred to as “essential functions”), and (c) other activities that are directly affected and therefore should not be operational during a Federal shutdown. CMS also clarified that Hospice Surveys funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021are considered mandatory and are not impacted by the Federal Government shutdown. Work funded under these sources should continue.

[Portugal] End-of-life care in the prison environment (supplement #22) ehospice, republished from by Portual Plus; 9/25/25 “Inmates who are dependent on assistance have a significant need for help from fellow prisoners,” stated Manuel Almeida dos Santos, secretary-general of the Obra Vicentina de Auxílio aos Reclusos (OVAR) [i.e., St. Vincent de Paul Work to Aid Prisoners], citing the lack of nursing aides and other professionals within prisons. “The shortage of human resources is not limited to prison guards. The deficiencies in prisons are even greater in other areas,” he argued. This concern was echoed by Vítor Ilharco, president of the Associação Portuguesa de Apoio ao Recluso [i.e., Portuguese Association for Prisoner Support], who mentioned cases of sick or elderly inmates who are bedridden, with their families paying “fixed amounts” to other inmates for assistance. Editor's Note: Log in to your newsletter account, type "prison" in the "Search" field, and compare this with many articles we've published on this topic; notably, "IL law calls for annual report on prison hospice, palliative care" and "Death and redemption in an American prison."

Driving innovation: Healthsperien launches Center for Health Research, Policy & Strategy led by seasoned experts  PR Newswire, Washginton, DC; by Healthsperien; 9/23/25 Healthsperien announces the official launch of its Center for Health Research, Policy & Strategy, marking the third in a series of new Centers of Expertise designed to provide clients with specialized, high-quality services and reinforce Healthsperien as a comprehensive partner and integrated hub for health policy, government relations, and research strategies. ... The Center will be led by Dianne Munevar, Partner, who joins Healthsperien after serving as Vice President of Health Care Strategy at NORC at the University of Chicago. She will lead a seasoned team of 5 research, policy, and strategy experts, who also come from NORC at the University of Chicago, ...

C-TAC announces reintroduction of the Improving Access to Advanced Care Planning Act The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), Washington, DC; by Debra McCarron; 9/18/25 The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) today announced the reintroduction of the Improving Access to Advanced Care Planning Act, a key bill designed to expand access to advanced care planning (ACP) services under Medicare. The announcement was made by Senator Warner (D-VA), a long-time champion of patient rights, during the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation Washington Leadership Meeting. The bill continues to enjoy bipartisan support and has been cosponsored by Senator Collins (R-ME).

Over 240 advocates rally in DC for the future of care at home: National Alliance for Care at Home hosts Inaugural Advocacy Week on Capitol Hill National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/12/25 More than 240 care at home care advocates from across the country met with over 275 congressional offices this week to discuss key legislative and regulatory priorities for expanding access to home-based care services. The meetings were part of the 2025 National Alliance for Care at Home’s inaugural Advocacy Week. Alliance Advocacy Week brings together leaders, advocates, and supporters to unite as one voice for care at home, driving positive legislative change and shaping the future of care to ensure broader access to the life-changing home care services for all Americans. 

Home health groups press for a piece of rural health funding Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 9/2/25 Key Takeaways

Bipartisan home health legislation introduced to protect Medicare beneficiaries and lower Medicare costs National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/4/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement today in response to the introduction of the Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Terri Sewell (D-AL), would protect home health care by pausing the devastating payment cuts proposed in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) CY 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule. 

Letter to the Editor: Hospice needs the state’s support Mid Hudson News, Hudson Valley / Catskill Region, NY; by Mid-Hudson News Staff; 8/19/25 Dear Editor: Hospice care can greatly enhance life for patients and families during an incredibly difficult time, but it is, unfortunately, underfunded and underutilized in New York State. As the leader of a hospice program serving Rockland and Orange Counties for 38 years, I have seen firsthand the undeniable, positive impact hospice can have.  ... Understandably, New Yorkers struggle to understand the benefits of hospice because hospice providers themselves have faced decades of underfunding and limited government support. ... The consequences of this cannot be understated. ... Cara Pace, Chief Executive Officer of United Hospice

With time running out, advocates mount push for telehealth, hospital-at-home extensions McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 8/15/25 With the Sept. 30 expiration date approaching for telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, industry advocates are urging lawmakers to pass a two-year extension. “We have only 48 days to avert a telehealth shutdown on October 1, and we’re relying on continued bipartisan, bicameral support to win the day,” Kyle Zebley, executive director of American Telemedicine Association Action and senior vice president of public policy for the ATA, said Thursday [8/14] in a statement.