Literature Review

In fight against fraud, leading national organizations urge CMS to take action while protecting legitimate providers and patient access The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance); Press Release; 3/25/26The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance), LeadingAge, LeadingAge California, and the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) in a March 25, 2026 letter to Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, ​the ​Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), commend the agency’s actions to protect Medicare beneficiaries, preserve the integrity of the hospice and home health benefits, and root out bad actors who are exploiting the program and harming patients and families. At the same time, the associations emphasize the need for a carefully targeted federal response to protect current and prospective patients, and preserve access to care delivered by trustworthy providers.

Important changes coming to National Government Services National Government Services; email; 3/24/26 National Government Services will begin operating as Wellpoint Federal on 4/1/2026. ... While we embrace the opportunities of the Wellpoint Federal name, this change does not impact our team structure, service levels, or the operating model that has earned your trust for the past 60 years. Beginning April 1, we will start adopting our new brand identity. During this transition, you may still see National Government Services referenced online or in existing printed materials.

What does moral agency mean for nurses in the era of artificial intelligence?Hastings Center Report; by Connie M Ulrich, Oonjee Oh, Sang Bin You, Maxim Topaz, Zahra Rahemi, Liz Stokes, Lisiane Pruinelli, George Demiris, Patricia Flatley Brennan; 2/26Being a moral agent was once thought to be an irreplaceable, uniquely human role for nurses and other health care professionals who care for patients and their families during illness and hospitalization. Today, however, artificial intelligence systems are often referred to as “artificial moral agents,” “agentic,” and “autonomous agents.” As these systems begin to function in various capacities within health care organizations and to perform specialized duties, the question arises as to whether the next step will be to replace nurses and other health care professionals as moral agents. Focusing primarily on nurses, this essay explores the concept of moral agency, asking whether it remains exclusive to humans or can be conferred on AI systems. We argue that AI systems should not supplant nurses’ moral agency, as patients come to hospitals or any other health care setting to be heard, seen, and valued by skilled professionals, not to seek care from machines.Editor's Note: Pair this with yesterday's article, ""Black box" artificial intelligence for mortality prediction: a mixed-methods study of palliative care team, patient, and caregiver perspectives."

Dignity in motion: How hospice care and wheelchair transportation shape senior comfort in Tacoma US Culture & Style Today, Tacoma, WA; Press RElease; 3/11/26 For seniors approaching the most sensitive stages of life, the quality of care is defined not only by what happens inside a home or medical facility but also by how individuals move between places. Transportation during hospice care and assisted living transitions must protect dignity, emotional calm, and physical safety. When medical transportation is handled with respect and patience, the entire care experience becomes gentler for both seniors and their families. ... 

Pediatric Resource GuideThe HAP Foundation press release; 3/16/26Our team with the Lynda P. Bollman’s Pediatric Program collected as many resources as we could find to assist patients, families, and practitioners. Our goal is for this Resource Guide to be an efficient and effective tool to aid in caring for children with a serious illness and their families navigating their journey... The Pediatric Resource Guide is divided into several categories (i.e., financial support, transportation support, emotional wellness support, etc.) to ease navigation. You will also be able to break some sections into subcategories (i.e., Midwest, East, West, etc.)...

Will Scotland be the first [in the UK] to legalise assisted dying? BBC News; by James Cook, Scotland editor; 3/16/26 For more than a year, Scottish politicians have been grappling with matters of life and death as they debated one of the most contested bills in the history of devolution. Tuesday's (3/10) final Scottish Parliament vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is seen as too close to call. But, if it passes, Scotland could become the first nation in the UK to legalise assisted dying. ... Critics of the bill have called it dangerous and say MSPs should focus instead on improving end-of-life care. ... [Supporters of the bill have] said the result was a "bulletproof" bill which amounted to "the toughest and most comprehensively-safeguarded" such legislation in the world.

Hospice fraud explodes in California after state ‘crackdown’: 742 flagged providers, $105 million overbilled, and ghost offices California Globe; by Megan Barth; 3/11/26 California investigative reporter Christian Hartsock, in collaboration with California State Assembly woman Alexandra Macedo for the California Courier, released a breaking undercover investigation just days ago, exposing dozens of suspicious hospice and home healthcare agencies in Los Angeles. Their on-site visits revealed hundreds of companies registered to crumbling buildings with no ramps, no handicap parking, disconnected phones, and signs reading “Out to Lunch.” Hartsock’s footage highlights how over $3.5 billion in Medi-Cal fraud has been identified in Los Angeles County alone, with 31% of all U.S. hospices registered there despite only 2% of the nation’s aging seniors residing in the area. 

Alliance concerned by MedPAC’s misguided 2026 home health and hospice payment recommendations National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandira, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/13/26The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is deeply concerned by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) March 2026 Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. MedPAC’s congressionally mandated report provides analysis and recommendations on various Medicare programs, including home health and hospice. The Commission’s findings focus on payment adequacy, access to care, quality, financial performance, and projections for 2026 and beyond. The Alliance previously expressed concern in response to MedPAC’s vote in January 2026.

MedPAC: March 2026 Report to CongressMedPAC Reports; 3/12/26Medicare Benefit: National health care spending grew rapidly in 2023 and 2024, by 7 percent in each of these years. By 2024, national health care spending totaled $5.3 trillion. Health care spending has made up an increasing share of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) over time, rising from about 13 percent of GDP in 2000 to 18 percent in 2024. Medicare spending grew more rapidly than national health care spending in 2023 and 2024 (by 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively), in part due to changes in Part D financing that shifted more of the cost of prescription drug coverage from beneficiaries to the federal government. By 2024, Medicare spending totaled $1.1 trillion—equivalent to 21 percent of national health care spending and 3.8 percent of GDP. (Please see the full report here for additional detail.)

Hospice News 50: Hospice News Provider Rankings and Annual Trends Report Hospice News; 3/10/26 Second Annual Hospice News Provider Rankings and Trends ReportThe hospice sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by shifting ownership structures, demographic demand and new approaches to caring for seriously ill populations. For the second annual Hospice News 50 report, we partnered with Hospice Analytics to rank the largest hospice chains by 2024 Medicare claims. Drawing on proprietary data — including Medicare payments, corporate disclosures, acquisition activity and SEC filings — the report provides a detailed view of how consolidation, investment patterns and emerging players are reshaping the industry. Explore the latest data and analysis to understand the market forces driving hospice transformation — and what they mean for providers in 2026 and beyond.

Residential Home Health and Hospice acquires Covenant [Home Health in Pennsylvania] Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/10/26 Residential Home Health and Hospice has acquired Covenant Home Health in Pennsylvania for a confidential amount. Covenant provides home health, private duty and supportive services throughout nine counties in its home state. The transaction will bring Residential’s footprint to two new counties and add density in seven others. ... Residential provides skilled home health, palliative and hospice care in communities across Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Deprescribing at the End of Life: Jennifer Tjia, Jon Furuno, Simon MooijaartGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, Jennifer Tjia, Jon Furuno, Simon Mooijaart; 2/26/26In this episode of the GeriPal Podcast, we tackle the pressing topic of deprescribing at the end of life with expert guests Jennifer Tjia, Jon Furuno, and Simon Mooijaart. The conversation focuses on identifying medications that should almost always be discontinued—such as statins, osteoporosis meds, finasteride, and vitamins, which offer minimal benefit for patients with limited life expectancy. We also delve into more nuanced cases, such as antithrombotics, which present complex decisions that challenge clinicians, particularly when prognosis spans the many weeks to months range. Finally, we explore practical strategies for engaging patients and families in deprescribing conversations.

Granite VNA names James Culhane President and CEO Granite VNA, Concord, NH; Press Release; 3/5/26 After a rigorous and comprehensive executive search, Granite VNA, New Hampshire’s largest not-for-profit home health and hospice agency, has named James Culhane as its next President and CEO. He will succeed Beth Slepian, who has served in that role since 2015, upon her retirement in June 2026. Culhane has served as President and CEO of Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice in New London, New Hampshire, since 2015.