Literature Review

A smarter approach to fraud means better care at home The Hill | Opinion; by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Jennifer Sheets; 6/23/26 .. Home health and hospice providers meet people where they are — both physically and through wraparound support — caring for them in their homes at the end of life or during critical healing and recovery periods when trust is paramount. ... Fraudulent operators do not simply steal taxpayer dollars; they harm real people, exploit vulnerable individuals, undermine legitimate providers, and erode confidence in critical healthcare services that families depend on every day. Combatting fraud, waste and abuse in healthcare must remain a national priority. That is why I am glad to partner with the National Alliance for Care at Home on the Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act, designed to strengthen program integrity in home health and hospice while protecting access to care for patients who depend on these services, and reducing burden for legitimate providers.

Disability-rights advocates sue Illinois over physician-assisted suicide law RegionalMediaNews.com; by The Center Square; 6/18/26 A law that is set to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois is being challenged by disability-rights advocates and organizations in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois.The law, signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last December, is set to go into effect on Sept. 12, but disability rights advocates, which make up the “End Assisted Suicide Coalition,” are seeking to prevent it. Similar laws have been passed in 13 states across the country, with many also being challenged in court.

Neal, Sánchez release new GAO report finding the cecessity of Sánchez’s Hospice CARE Act U.S. Ways & Means Committee - Ranking Member Richard E. Neal, Washington, DC; Press Release; 6/9/26Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) today [6/9/26] highlighted a new report from the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) finding that Congress must reform the Medicare hospice benefit to address misaligned payment incentives, reduce excessive spending, and root out fraudsters. Neal requested this report back in May 2023, and Sánchez leads legislation to modernize the Medicare hospice benefit while also safeguarding against fraud. ...Editor's Note: For a more comprehensive understanding and response, examine The full GAO report and the National Alliance for Care at Home responds to GAO report regarding Medicare hospice payment. 

Momentum builds on Capitol Hill to strengthen Medicare American Medical Association (AMA); by Tanya Albert Henry; 6/8/26 AMA-backed bill targets budget rules that trigger across-the-board physician payment cuts and threaten access to care. CMS eases Medicare claims process. Physicians are gaining ground in efforts to change federal policy that has contributed to Medicare rates falling about 33% since 2001 when adjusted for inflation. A bipartisan bill—one of several the AMA has supported in its multipronged effort to improve the Medicare physician payment system—was recently introduced in the House of Representatives and it aims to overhaul the Medicare Incentive-based Payment System (MIPS) to make it more efficient, useful and fair for participating physicians. 

Proposed Rulemaking - Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing: Licensed Practical Nurse Pronouncement of Death Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; 5/9/26 ... Background and Purpose: Prior to the recent amendment to the VSL, the authority to pronounce death in a home hospice setting was limited to registered nurses (RN), physicians, physician assistants and coroners. As a practical matter, that means that an LPN, who is often present and delivering end-of-life care to hospice patients, has to contact an RN and wait for the RN's arrival for the deceased to be pronounced dead, the family contacted, if they are not present, and the body released to a funeral director or county coroner. This approach is not practical or efficient. Moreover, it is not compassionate to grieving families to wait, sometimes for hours, for the RN to arrive to have their loved one removed.

Kelly, DelBene introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/20/26 Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, legislation that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes for Americans on Medicare who receive dialysis treatment. Currently, Americans living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are not permitted to continue their dialysis treatment under Medicare to enter palliative hospice care. This legislation would amend Medicare policy to allow for Americans to continue their treatment, enter hospice, and be with their family pain-free.

Sessions introduces bill to fight fraud and promote accountability in federally funded programs U.S. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/16/26 Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) introduced the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act (H.R. 8312) to expand the U.S. Treasury Fiscal Service’s financial and program integrity services and ensure the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee’s (PRAC) anti-fraud data analysis capabilities and resources are maintained in a permanent Inspectors General office. ... Read the bill text here.

Oregon governor signs Hospice Licensure Bill (SB 1575)  LegiScan - Bringing People to the Process; by Oregon Senate Bill 1575; 4/7/26New law bars individuals excluded from Medicare/Medicaid or found liable for fraud from holding ownership interest in a hospice program. 

More people are choosing the option to die under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act The Oregonian/OregonLive; by Kristine de Leon; 4/3/26 More people are turning to Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act – and more than ever are getting prescriptions for life-ending drugs, according to a new state data released Thursday [4/2]. For nearly three decades, the law has allowed Oregonians who meet certain conditions to receive prescription medications to help them end their lives, rather than waiting for a disease to run its course. ... An annual report compiled by the Oregon Health Authority shows more patients are seeking the option. Last year, doctors wrote 637 prescriptions under the Death with Dignity Act -- the highest number on record, according to state data. That’s a modest 5% increase from 2024, but part of a longer trend that has pushed participation steadily upward.

Hearing on “Improving kidney health through better prevention and innovative treatment” U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; written testimony fo Dr. Robert Taylor; 3/18/26

Why Florida’s certificate of need program works for hospice | Opinion The Florida Times-Union; by Susan Ponder-Stansel; 3/11/26 Since the introduction of hospice care in the U.S. during the 1970s, Florida has been a leader in establishing high standards for licensing of hospice organizations who provide care in our state. This includes a certificate of need program that has a competitive process that is intentional, effective and disciplined. Through a competitive batching process under the program, hospice licenses are awarded only when providers can demonstrate unmet community need and prove they have the resources, staffing, infrastructure and expertise to meet that need reliably and over time. [Full access may be limited by paywall] 

Oregon considers bill to stop hospice scammers from entering state Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/13/26 State lawmakers in Oregon are mulling a bill designed to combat hospice fraud. Senate Bill 1575 would prevent hospices that have committed fraud or provided substandard care in other states from setting up shop in Oregon. If enacted, the Oregon Health Authority, a state agency, would examine the history of companies seeking to open hospices before approving a license, including Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey results, among other information.