Literature Review

New website launch addresses growing demand for hospice care in the Bay Area lohud, Brentwood, CA; Press Release; 4/29/26 Grace and Glory Hospice has launched a new website designed to help families better understand hospice services and access support more quickly, reflecting a growing need for personalized, non-corporate care options. As demand increases for hospice care bay area providers that offer a more individualized approach, the organization’s updated digital presence aims to simplify decision-making during a critical time.

Hospice of Wichita Falls partners to protect against hospice fraud KFDX/KJTL News, TexomasHomePage.com, Wichita Falls, TX; by Angel Owens; 5/1/26 As concerns over hospice fraud continue to grow across Texas and the nation, Hospice of Wichita Falls is taking a strong and public stance against unethical practices that threaten patients and undermine trust in end-of-life care. The nonprofit organization is reaffirming its commitment to compassionate, ethical hospice services while partnering with state and national organizations to strengthen accountability across the industry. For over four decades, the organization has served the Wichita Falls community as a nonprofit, community-based provider dedicated to supporting patients and families through one of life’s most vulnerable and sacred seasons.

A new light for Community Hospice The Daily Independent, Ashland, KY; by Staff; 5/1/26 Ashland Community Hospice announced Thursday it has rebranded, with a focus on a new logo. The new design is meant to reflect the organization’s deep roots in the community and its continued commitment to compassionate, high-quality care. Community Hospice CEO Rod Hieneman said the rebrand is not a reinvention, but an evolution. ... Hieneman said, “Our goal was to honor our legacy while introducing a more modern, approachable look that reflects who we are today and where we are going. With new projects on the horizon, this transition is coming at just the right time.”

Hospice of Davidson County Golf Tournament raises $21,000 The Dispatch, Lexington, NC; by Jill Doss-Raines; 4/29/26 More than 100 golfers filled the fairways at Sapona Golf, Swim and Tennis Club on April 16 as Hospice of Davidson County held its 17th annual Benefit Golf Tournament, raising more than $21,000 to support patient care and community programs.

Neto Foundation supports Southcoast hospice patients with $100K gift The Herald News, Fall River, MA; by Lurdes C. da Silva; 4/20/26 Southcoast Health at Home, a member of the Southcoast Health system, has received an endowment of $100,000 from the Neto Foundation. The endowment will benefit the not-for-profit home care provider through the Southcoast Health Compassion Fund, which provides additional care hours for hospice patients and their families.  ... “The value of hospice care in our region can’t be overstated, particularly when it is delivered with sensitivity, compassion and cultural understanding,” Southcoast Health President and CEO David O.McCready said.

U.S. hospice market size to reach $45.3 billion by 2033 Grand View Research; April 2026 The U.S. hospice market size is estimated to reach USD 45.3 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2026 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. 

Butterfly Release brings solace after loss Pahrump Valley Times; by Robin Hebrock; 4/29/26 Butterflies carry many meanings and their symbolism of both transformation and hope is something that Nathan Adelson Hospice draws inspiration from each year as it hosts its annual Celebration of Life – Live Butterfly Release. A chance for community members to come together in honor of the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, siblings and friends who are no longer in this world, the 2026 Pahrump Live Butterfly Release took place on Sunday, April 19 at the Calvada Eye. ... In addition to their patients who have passed, Nathan Adelson officials were also honoring three of their own, Dr. William Craig, Stan Cuaresma and Vivian McCuneo.

We spoke to over 30 CEOs and business leaders. Here’s what worries them most CNBC; by Lee Ying Shan; 4/27/26 Business leaders are confronting a new operating reality: one where war, inflation, AI and supply chain shocks are no longer exceptional events, but part of the baseline. CNBC spoke to more than 30 CEOs, business executives and industry leaders at the annual Converge Live event in Singapore last week. Across sectors — banking, energy, shipping, technology and manufacturing — a clear theme emerged: uncertainty is no longer episodic. It is structural.

VITAS banks on length of stay, referral mix management Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/27/26 VITAS Healthcare has been working to balance admission numbers from different settings and manage length of stay to prevent further payment cap liabilities after a rough go in the last months of 2025. Starting late last year VITAS began emphasizing hospital-based referrals in its admissions processes, which typically result in shorter length-of-stay patients. As of the fourth quarter of 2025, which marked the start of Fiscal Year 2026, the company has virtually eliminated that cap liability in Florida. This trend has continued into 2026, according to VITAS CEO Joel Wherley.

Iowa City Hospice hosts Walk for Dignity KCRG-9 ABC News, Iowa City, IA; by Lacey Reeves; 4/26/26 People in Iowa City walked through Willow Creek Park on Saturday in memory of loved ones who died after receiving hospice care. Iowa City Hospice hosts a Walk for Dignity every year to raise money to provide free end-of-life care to people who need it. ... “We give over $250,000 a year in unreimbursed hospice care to people in our community who don’t have insurance, because we believe that if you’re dying, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay for your health care,” said Sara Krieger, CEO of Iowa City Hospice. ... As the families walked, they passed by memory lane with yard signs with photos of people who have died.

Tom Koutsoumpas: California’s hospice fraud crisis demands action Redlands Daily Facts | Commentary; by Tom Koutsoumpas; 4/23/26 Throughout the 1980s, in the early days of building hospice care into the American healthcare system, those of us on the frontlines helped shape what would become the Medicare hospice benefit. It was a turning point in how this country cares for people at the end of life. At its core, the hospice benefit is simple. ... For millions of families, it has meant more dignity, more support, and more time focused on what matters most. That’s why the scale of fraudulent hospice activity in California is so deeply concerning. This is not a gray area. It is widespread fraud, targeting vulnerable patients and exploiting gaps in oversight.

Not just California: A national hospice ‘Blue Book’ is needed to fight fraudThe Hill; by Robin Heffernan; 4/22/26Congress has finally decided to wade into the deep waters of hospice fraud in California. That is a good thing. But what members need to know is that this problem is not new, and it is not confined to one state. What’s more, enforcement alone will not solve it — what is desperately needed is more prevention... What is missing is a so-called “Blue Book” for the hospice industry — an ongoing, up-to-date reference of providers and their quality performance, to distinguish high-quality providers from those that should not be in the program. The data for this already exists. Claims patterns, visit reliability, length of stay, revocation rates and patient experience can make outliers visible early. Unfortunately, that information is not consistently surfaced or used at the point where decisions are made.Publisher's note: I wholeheartedly agree with Robin’s insightful article and strongly encourage everyone to explore the National Hospice Locator. This valuable resource represents a meaningful step forward in improving access to compassionate end-of-life care. Also, Robin has participated in several Teleios Collaborative Network TCNtalks podcasts. [Robin Heffernan is co-founder and chief executive of Empassion Health.]

An open letter on stopping fraud before it starts Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP); by Teresa Harbour and Nathan J. DeGodt; 4/22/26 Recent testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee underscored a truth that many in healthcare have long understood. Preventing fraud requires stopping bad actors before they enter the system. We agree. At CHAP, that principle has guided our decisions for decades. Accreditation integrity is maintained at the front end of the process through disciplined, patient‑centered safeguards. ... CHAP did not accredit any hospice or home health organizations operating from the notorious Friar Street address highlighted in recent media coverage and congressional hearing. ... Before any organization advances in our accreditation process, CHAP conducts address validation and ownership verification. These steps are designed to surface red flags early, ...