Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Headlines.”
CHAP celebrates 60 years in home-based care
12/08/25 at 03:00 AMCHAP celebrates 60 years in home-based care Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP); email and website; 12/5/25 This year, CHAP marked a milestone that speaks volumes about our legacy and our future: our Diamond Jubilee. Sixty years of progress, partnership, and innovation came to life as our incredible team gathered to celebrate not just an anniversary, but the people who make our mission possible every day. It was a moment to honor the tradition that began in 1965 and continues to shape home-based care across the nation; a tradition built on excellence, compassion, and a shared commitment to the providers we serve. As we reflected on six decades of impact, the celebration reminded us of something even more powerful: the strength of our present and the promise of what’s next.Editor's Note: Hospice & Palliative Care Today celebrates CHAP immeasureable contributions to improving patient / caregiver / family care, staff education and standards, organizational systems, and more!
Women are telling the truth in their out-of-office messages. It’s devastating
12/07/25 at 03:55 AMWomen are telling the truth in their out-of-office messages. It’s devastating Marie Claire, New York, NY; 11/25/25 A national campaign is delivering a radically honest wake-up call about childcare, burnout, and what it means to live in a country without paid leave. ... This year, working women across the U.S. hit a breaking point. More than 450,000 have left the workforce since January—one of the sharpest declines in recent history, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, overwhelmingly, the women most likely to walk away are mothers with young children. ... Which is why today, some of them are finally saying so out loud. Not in op-eds or protests, but in their out-of-office replies.
Local hospice offers support for grieving families on Thanksgiving
12/07/25 at 03:50 AMLocal hospice offers support for grieving families on Thanksgiving ABC News 7, Amarillo, TX; by Aby Molina; 11/27/25 As families gather for Thanksgiving, the holiday can be particularly painful for those who have lost a loved one. BSA Hospice of the Southwest is offering a place for empathy and a Thanksgiving gathering to support those in mourning. ... BSA Hospice has hosted this event for several years, providing extra support during this time of year. Lindsey Wyatt, bereavement coordinator at BSA Hospice, expressed excitement about hosting the event. "We're just really excited to host, to provide an opportunity and a warm, safe place for people to fellowship and come together who have experienced that loss. ... "
New from MedPAC: 2025 Payment Basics series
12/07/25 at 03:45 AMNew from MedPAC: 2025 Payment Basics series MedPAC - Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; 11/24/25 MedPAC announces the release of the updated 2025 Medicare Payment Basics series. MedPAC's mission is to advise the Congress on Medicare issues, and part of that mission is providing clear and accessible information about how Medicare works. Payment Basics is a series of explainers on how Medicare's payment systems function. These "basics" are typically no more than 5 pages long and feature handy diagrams that visually depict how the payment systems calculate providers' payments. MedPAC produces "basics" for the major payment systems (20 in all), and updates the series once a year in the fall. The updated versions are now available here.
Memorial bricks at William Childs Hospice House pave way for comfort, community and healing
12/07/25 at 03:40 AMMemorial bricks at William Childs Hospice House pave way for comfort, community and healing Space Coast Daily, Palm Bay, FL; by Space Coast Daily; 11/29/25 Under a beautiful November sky, more than 200 family members and friends gathered on a recent Saturday morning in front of the Butterfly Garden, nestled on the grounds of the William Childs Hospice House. Attendees joined the Health First Foundation’s annual Brick Paver Dedication Ceremony, a heartfelt tradition held each November during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. ... One such brick was in honor of Arthur “Lou” Larmay, 94, who passed in July while in Hospice care. During his final weeks, Lou was commended by Hospice with a ceremony honoring his military service – and his days as a jazz musician. Gathering in the garden after his passing was just what his mourning loved ones needed.
'It has made my life a lot easier': New Ohio program pays people to care for their loved ones at home
12/07/25 at 03:35 AM'It has made my life a lot easier': New Ohio program pays people to care for their loved ones at homeWTOL-11, Columbus, OH; by Kevin Landers; 11/24/25 Mark Straub, of Delaware County, started caring for his 93-year-old mother about two years ago. As much as he loves to have his mother at home instead of a nursing home, caring for a loved one 24/7 brings with it stress, both emotional and financial. ... The average cost of in-home care in Ohio is $60,238, according to CareScout. The average cost of nursing home care is $108,500 a year, or about $9,000 per month. Thanks to a new program in Ohio, those who care for a loved one at home are about to get financially easier. It’s called Structured Family Caregiving, or SFC. Currently, at least 11 states have formal Medicaid SFC programs that pay family members. “I didn’t believe it at first, until I got that first paycheck and I really wanted to cry, “ said Tsavaris.
UConn Health’s palliative care growth continues: Expanding staff and services in both hospital and outpatient settings
12/07/25 at 03:30 AMUConn Health’s palliative care growth continues: Expanding staff and services in both hospital and outpatient settings UConn; by Chris DeFrancesco; 12/1/25 Health’s expanded palliative care services continue to grow, spanning hospital patients to ambulatory patients, with or without cancer. Palliative care referrals in the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center are up 31% from last year, and 600% since inception in 2017. Referrals for inpatient palliative care consultations, which started two years ago, are up 35% from last year. A year ago, Dr. Mary Buss and Dr. Germaine Soliman established an outpatient palliative care clinic for patients dealing with conditions other than cancer. Since opening, it has seen more than 130 patients over nearly 450 visits.
The memory bear legacy, sewn with love: One woman’s heartfelt stitches continue to warm the Treasure Coast community
12/07/25 at 03:25 AMThe memory bear legacy, sewn with love: One woman’s heartfelt stitches continue to warm the Treasure Coast community Hometown News, Port St. Lucie, FL; by MaryAnn Ketcham; 11/30/25 Director of Volunteer Services for Treasure Coast Hospice Lisa Gunggoll recently joined Board Chairwoman and former staff member Eileen Emery at the Gardens of Port St. Lucie Senior Living Facility. There, they spent time with resident Gerry Cornell in what became a truly memorable occasion. ... Over the years, Cornell handcrafted more than 100 Memory Bears for Treasure Coast Hospice patients and families. On the day of the visit at the Port St. Lucie Gardens, Cornell proudly presented an album filled with photos of those bears, each stitched with love, care, and compassion. The album is a beautiful gift, returning a piece of her legacy that had brought comfort to so many grieving families. Editor's Note: Click here for more about Treasure Coast Hospice's Memory Bears and Pillows.
'Rehabbed to death’: Bringing more palliative, hospice care to SNFs
12/07/25 at 03:20 AM'Rehabbed to death’: Bringing more palliative, hospice care to SNFs Hospice News; by Kristin Easterling; 11/26/25 Patients in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) can become trapped in a “rehabbed to death” cycle that could be prevented with better access to palliative care and hospice. The Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) used by SNFs could be harnessed to enable more palliative care and earlier admission to hospice, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.Editor's Note: Click below for the study and related articles we've posted.
Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - November 2025
12/07/25 at 03:15 AMHonoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - November 2025
National Alliance for Care at Home: CMS modifies Final Payment Rule based on stakeholder feedback, but 1.3% cut still undermines access
12/07/25 at 03:10 AMNational Alliance for Care at Home: CMS modifies Final Payment Rule based on stakeholder feedback, but 1.3% cut still undermines access National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 11/28/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today acknowledged that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made significant adjustments in the Home Health Perspective Payment System (HH PPS) Final Rule for CY 2026 in response to community concerns regarding patient access and data integrity. However, the Alliance remains concerned that any payment cut for home health providers will continue to compromise access for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on these services to age and recover from illness or injury safely at home.
Arkansas BCBS offers employee buyouts
12/07/25 at 03:05 AMArkansas BCBS offers employee buyouts Becker's Payer Issues; by Elizabeth Casolo; 12/1/25 Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield started offering buyouts to eligible employees, according to a Dec. 1 report from Arkansas Business. ... Other payers have offered early retirement as they slim down their workforces. For example, Humana said in July it would extend voluntary buyouts. Following headwinds in 2024, Independence Blue Cross also offered early retirement in July.
Awards and Recognitions: November 2025
12/07/25 at 03:00 AMAwards and Recognitions: November 2025
Data book: Beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
12/04/25 at 03:00 AMData book: Beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid MEDPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commision) and MACPAC (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission); December 2025 This data book is a joint project of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The data book presents information on the demographic and other personal characteristics, expenditures, and health care utilization of individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Dually eligible beneficiaries receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits by virtue of their age or disability and low income. This population is diverse and includes individuals with multiple chronic conditions, physical disabilities, and cognitive impairments such as dementia, developmental disabilities, and mental illness. It also includes some individuals who are relatively healthy.
The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges
12/04/25 at 02:00 AMThe future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Ira Byock and Cordt Kassner; 12/3/25 In this meaningful episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Cordt Kassner and renowned Hospice pioneer Dr. Ira Byock to explore why Hospice and Palliative Care matter now more than ever—especially during the holiday season, when reflection and connection take center stage.The conversation traces the evolution of Hospice, highlighting how its mission has expanded beyond end-of-life care to fostering true well-being for patients and families. Dr. Byock challenges long-held assumptions about Hospice, urging a reframing of the narrative to emphasize life completion, compassion, and the profound impact these services have on the broader healthcare landscape.
Awards and Recognitions: November 2025
12/01/25 at 03:00 AMAwards and Recognitions: November 2025
National Alliance for Care at Home: CMS modifies Final Payment Rule based on stakeholder feedback, but 1.3% cut still undermines access
12/01/25 at 02:00 AMNational Alliance for Care at Home: CMS modifies Final Payment Rule based on stakeholder feedback, but 1.3% cut still undermines access National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 11/28/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today acknowledged that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made significant adjustments in the Home Health Perspective Payment System (HH PPS) Final Rule for CY 2026 in response to community concerns regarding patient access and data integrity. However, the Alliance remains concerned that any payment cut for home health providers will continue to compromise access for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on these services to age and recover from illness or injury safely at home.
In-flight emergencies: Practical medicine and ethical considerations
11/30/25 at 03:55 AMIn-flight emergencies: Practical medicine and ethical considerations Medscape; by Stephen Powell, MD, Bret A. Nicks, MD, MHA, Michael W. Supples, MD, MPH; 11/3/25As a medical professional, are you prepared to respond to an in-flight medical emergency as a passenger on a commercial aircraft? Key questions are addressed about the scope of care, available equipment, decision-making regarding diversions, and liability concerns. Editor's Note: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "expects the 2025 Thanksgiving travel period to be the busiest in 15 years." Please read and share.
He built a nursing home empire despite state investigations. Now, lawsuits are piling up
11/30/25 at 03:50 AMHe built a nursing home empire despite state investigations. Now, lawsuits are piling upCalMatters; by Jocelyn Wiener; 11/20/25California nursing homes affiliated with Shlomo Rechnitz are facing lawsuits alleging that patients were raped, ignored and unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19. His companies deny the allegations. In February 2024, a Los Angeles County jury awarded $2.34 million to an 84-year-old nursing home resident named Betsy Jentz, finding that the facility had violated her rights on 132 occasions, at times leading to serious injuries. [Three more equally offensive cases.] All of these facilities have one thing in common: state records list Shlomo Rechnitz as an owner. Court documents show Rechnitz and his companies have denied all allegations in all of the cases.
Rowan and Bayada Home Health Care to strengthen nursing workforce with innovative partnership
11/30/25 at 03:45 AMRowan and Bayada Home Health Care to strengthen nursing workforce with innovative partnership Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; Press Release; 11/18/25 “More. Great. Nurses”: That was the chant echoing through the room as BAYADA founder and chairman of the board Mark Baiada energized the crowd during a ceremonial signing event on Nov. 17 at Rowan University. The celebration launched a new agreement between Rowan and BAYADA Home Health Care, the nation’s largest independent nonprofit home health care provider. The partnership creates a debt-free pathway for aspiring nurses and expands access to high-quality home health care in the region.
Agape Care Group acquires Community Hospice of Alabama
11/30/25 at 03:40 AMAgape Care Group acquires Community Hospice of Alabama Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/19/25 Agape Care Group Hospice (ACG Hospice) has acquired Community Hospice of Alabama. Financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. Community Hospice operates three locations in the Foley, Bay Minette and Mobile communities in Alabama. Post-transaction, Agape will now provide services in 41 Alabama counties with a total of 11 locations in the state.
“I was horrified”: 34 surgeons and doctors recall their worst mistakes
11/30/25 at 03:35 AM“I was horrified”: 34 surgeons and doctors recall their worst mistakes BoredPanda; by Justin Sandberg; 11/19/25 Someone asked “Medical professionals, what mistake have you made in your medical career that, because of the outcome, you've never forgotten?” and people shared their stories from fortunately comical to downright grim. ...#4. I work in palliative care, ... I knew he wanted to be a DNR (do not resuscitate). I wrote it on my note. But I didn't re-fill out the hospital paperwork. The next day, I got to work to discover he'd been coded and was on a ventilator in the ICU. Instead of passing peacefully, his wife had to make the decision to turn off life support. ...Editor's Note: Entry #20 comes from a hospice nurse describing a patient with severe bone pain started on morphine—then an out-of-town daughter arrived, shocked to see “Daddy on morphine.” What unfolded was realistic and tragic. This story highlights two timely essentials:
United States, et al. v. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, et al.; Response of Plaintiff United States to Public Comments on the Proposed Final Judgment
11/30/25 at 03:30 AMUnited States, et al. v. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, et al.; Response of Plaintiff United States to Public Comments on the Proposed Final Judgment Federal Register, The Daily Journal of the United States Government; A Notice by the Antitrust Division; 11/19/25 Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C. 16(b)-(h), that the Response of Plaintiff United States to Public Comments on the Proposed Final Judgment has been filed with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in United States of America, et al. v. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, et al., Civil Action No. 1:24-cv-03267. Copies of the Public Comments and the United States' Response are available for inspection on the Antitrust Division's website at http://www.justice.gov/atr.
Major hospice company that operates in 15 states says patient data stolen by hackers
11/30/25 at 03:25 AMMajor hospice company that operates in 15 states says patient data stolen by hackers NJ.com; by Jackie Roman; 11/24/25 The personal information of current and former hospice patients may have been exposed in a cyberattack targeting VITAS Healthcare, one of the largest hospice companies in the United States. VITAS discovered on Oct. 24 that an unauthorized party had gained access to certain network systems through a compromised vendor account, according to a company statement about the data breach. ... Patrick Hale, executive vice president and chief information officer, in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media ... [said, "We] are acting swiftly to ensure transparency, accountability, and enhanced security moving forward. Our top priority remains the patients and families we are privileged to serve."
Phoebe Sumter helps hospice patient say final goodbyes to "Moonshine" and "Cowboy," her beloved animals
11/30/25 at 03:20 AMPhoebe Sumter helps hospice patient say final goodbyes to "Moonshine" and "Cowboy," her beloved animals Phoebe Putney Health System, Americus, GA; Press Release; 11/14/25 ... Kate’s only wish was to see her horse, Moonshine. ... Kate’s close friend Sunday Laramore said, “She was an amazing horse trainer. She had been doing that since very early adulthood. She got Moonshine when he was 18 months-old; ... they had an amazing bond.” Kate’s condition was too unstable for her to return home to visit Moonshine, so the Phoebe Sumter care team began formulating a plan to bring Moonshine – and Kate’s dog, Cowboy – to the hospital to see her. Less than an hour after the team learned of Kate’s desire to see her animals, the pets were loaded up and on the way to the hospital.