Literature Review

United States Power Outage Tracker: Updates automatically every 15 minutes Retrieved from the internet 10/9/24 As severe weather or blizzards threaten, this database aggregates power outage information from more than 1,000 companies nationwide. It will automatically update every 15 minutes.Companion article: Florida power outage map: Track where power is out as Hurricane Milton approaches landfall. USA Today; by Julia Gomez and C.A. Bridges; 10/9/24 Utility providers were preparing for over a million power outages when Hurricane Milton hits Florida, which comes as the state is still recovering from Hurricane Helene. More than 25,000 outages had already been reported in Florida by 1:15 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to the USA TODAY power outage tracker, with many more expected as Milton approaches landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. [You can follow the latest outage numbers by clicking here.]Editor's note: For all affected by Hurricane Milton--evacuees, first responders, long distance family members and friends, colleagues, businesses, more. Stay informed about power outages in areas impacted by both Milton and Helene. The companion article provides important safety information about downed power lines, reporting outages, and more. (However, access to this text-heavy information assumes the person has power.)  

BREAKING NEWS 10/1/2024, 12:30pm - Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction Federal Register - The Daily Journal of the United States Government; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); 10/1/24 This document corrects technical and typographical errors in the final rule that appeared in the August 6, 2024 Federal Register titled “Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements”.I. Background: In FR Doc. 2024-16910 of August 6, 2024 (89 FR 64202), there were a number of technical and typographical errors that are identified and corrected in this correcting document. The provisions in this correction document are effective as if they had been included in the final rule that appeared in the August 6, 2024 Federal Register . Accordingly, the corrections are effective October 1, 2024.II. Summary of Errors: ...Given these errors, we are republishing the FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index file accordingly on the CMS website at: https://www.cms.gov/​medicare/​payment/​fee-for-service-providers/​hospice/​hospice-wage-index effective October 1, 2024.

The death toll rises as rescue crews respond to Hurricane Helene's devastation NPF Network; by Emma Bowman; 9/29/24, 4:35pm As rescue teams continued to respond in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction in the Southeast U.S. and southern Appalachia on Sunday, the death toll continued to climb. Hundreds remained missing across the region. At least 64 people were killed across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, The Associated Press reported. Many people drowned after not heeding evacuation orders; others were killed in their homes and cars by falling trees and road signs. At least two Georgians were killed when a tornado picked up their car. Large portions of the region remained in darkness with power still knocked out to more than 2 million customers in five states on Sunday evening, nearly three days after Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.Publisher's: 

Blumenauer proposes overhaul to Hospice Benefit: If enacted, the legislation would be the single most significant update to the hospice benefit and payment structure since its inception in 1982.U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Washington, DC; Press Release; 9/26/24Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform and Enforcement Act (Hospice CARE Act) to modernize Medicare’s hospice benefit, which has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. The proposal comes as egregious reportsof fraud and abuse within the benefit persist, despite action from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The legislation is the product of years of collaboration between stakeholders, lawmakers, and industry leaders. It builds on Blumenauer’s decades-long commitment to ensure the federal government supports families at a time of great stress and vulnerability: the end of life. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Steve Landers, MD, MPH, Named Inaugural Chief Executive Officer of NAHC-NHPCO Alliance NAHC-NHPCO Alliance Press Release, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; by Elyssa Katz and Thomas Threlkeld; 8/26/24, 9:36 am ET Steven Landers, MD, MPH, has been named the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly merged NAHC-NHPCO Alliance (The Alliance). A recognized national leader and innovator in home health, primary care and aging services, Dr. Landers brings almost two decades of experience as a physician, executive leader and health policy advocate to The Alliance, which represents care at home and community providers across the country. ... “The Alliance members provide a wide range of high-quality home- and community-based services that promote comfort, dignity and independence. I’m so proud to become a part of this organization, and am eager to serve,” said Dr. Landers. “I’ve had the opportunity in my career to see the health care industry from many vantage points, and in this new role with The Alliance, I will use all that I have learned to make a difference for our members as we continue to expand to meet the growing public needs for our care.”

Fraudulent hospices reportedly target homeless people, methadone patients to pad census Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/23/24 Fraudulent hospices in California reportedly have been targeting homeless people and methadone patients, promising them a steady supply of opioids in exchange for enrolling in hospice. Three hospice leaders came forward to Hospice News to report these practices. According to their reports, unscrupulous providers have canvassed both homeless encampments and methadone clinics seeking to sign up patients who are not terminally ill. In many cases, the sources said, these operators offer patients free access to board-and-care facilities and a daily supply of morphine. Another frequent practice among these hospices is to offer patients cash or other items in addition to drugs, they said. “This conduct raises serious fraud concerns on kickbacks or gifts to beneficiaries who do not appear to qualify for hospice,” Bill Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), told Hospice News. “More importantly, this conduct is predatory, taking advantage of individuals in addiction. Jail time is not enough punishment for the harm that such conduct creates.”Editor's Note: This is abhorrable. Click on the title's link to read more. While John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" episode on 8/18/24 gained criticism from many hospice leaders, these fraudulent unethical behaviors (and others') lay the groundwork for such dire distrust from the public. These organizations' behaviors must be stopped. These persons and organizations must be held accountable.