Literature Review

CT bill would create a statewide pediatric hospice program: 'Make this a reality for our children' The Darien Times, by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni; 3/11/24There are only a handful of agencies specifically providing end-of-life care to children in the state, said Moss, who is also the founder of Connecticut Children’s Hospital palliative care team, the Sunflower Kids. “Every dying child in the state of Connecticut deserves this expertise and support of the hospice program,” Moss said. “It is time we make this a reality for our children.” The need for pediatric hospice care is felt throughout the state, even if the volume of people seeking out these services is often low, said Tracy Wodatch, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home.

I have little time left. I hope my goodbye inspires you. The Washington Post, by Amy Ettinger; 3/9/24 This past summer, at age 49, I was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer called leiomyosarcoma. ... My symptoms were getting worse. I had swelling in my abdomen and legs that couldn’t be treated. After a while, I could no longer walk up the stairs of my house. I decided I wanted comfort, and this week I made the decision to transition to hospice. After choosing this path, I reflected on some of the things I was able to do since my diagnosis: ... People are often afraid when they hear the word “hospice,” but for me it’s been a positive experience. Editor's Note: Read and share this inspiring personal story about choosing hospice care. This is not about Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID), thus eliminating controversial perspectives.

The Joint Commission, Kaiser Permanente announce application period for 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity GlobeNewswire, by The Joint Commission; 3/5/24 The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente are now accepting applications for the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity. The award program will recognize a healthcare organization that led an initiative that achieved a measurable, sustained reduction in one or more disparities. Bernard J. Tyson, the late CEO and chairman of Kaiser Permanente, worked tirelessly to address the disparities that plague the U.S. healthcare system. Now in its fourth year, the award honors Tyson’s legacy by presenting organizations the opportunity to earn national recognition for their efforts to improve healthcare equity, as well as share best practices and lessons learned with thousands of organizations across the country.

CMS to end Hospice MA Carve-In: Insights for home-based care providers Home Health Care News, by Andrew Donlan; 3/7/24Grand opening, grand closing. Hospice providers began to work with Medicare Advantage (MA) via the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) demonstration in 2021. At the end of 2024, the “hospice carve-in” model will cease. ... In this week’s exclusive, members-only HHCN+ Update, I dive into what CMS’ ditching of the hospice carve-in means for home health and hospice providers generally. I’ll also get into what it may mean for that space between home-based care providers and MA plans moving forward. 

UNE medical school students donate $2,000 to local hospice center Portland Press Herald; 3/4/24Students at the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) have donated $2,000 to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, building upon a successful partnership between the two organizations that has lasted nearly 10 years. The money was raised during a fundraising dinner held by the UNE COM American Geriatrics Society/Gerontological Society of America Student Chapter for Geriatrics and Palliative Care last November. The event, a “murder-mystery” dinner, featured several students and faculty performing a script written by chapter members. Over 160 people attended the dinner. 

Lower reimbursement a leading cause for poor margins, CFOs say Becker's Hospital CFO Report, by Madeline Ashley; 3/6/24 A recent report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association and Eliciting Insights, a healthcare strategy and marketing research company, found that 84% of health systems have cited lower payer reimbursements as a leading cause for low operating margins. [Click on the title's link for six more findings from the report.]

End-of-life care stakeholders celebrate end of hospice VBID carve-in McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 3/6/24 Various hospice associations on Tuesday cheered the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recent decision to abandon the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. ... Providers have long held that the uniqueness of hospice care, a multidisciplinary, person-centered care model, would make it a poor fit for MA. 

Charity Spotlight: Ryan House and Executive Director Tracy Leonard-Warner Fiesta Bowl - Charity Stories, by Theresa Palmquist; 3/5/24 Every year, the Fiesta Bowl Organization provides financial support to nonprofits across the state in an effort to enhance and elevate the lives of Arizona's youth. In its latest grant cycle, Fiesta Bowl Charities granted $25,000 to the Sponsor-A-Stay fund at Ryan House, a nonprofit pediatric-focused facility that provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care for patients with life-limiting and life-threatening diagnoses. ... It is only one of three facilities like its kind in the United States and is modeled after Helen-House in the United Kingdom, which has more than 50 pediatric respite, palliative and hospice care houses.

Why home care leaders are now banking on ‘Caregiver-First’ cultures Home Health Care News, by Patrick Filbin; 3/4/24 Over the last several years, a notable trend is emerging in home care: Top-tier companies are shifting their focus from prioritizing customers to prioritizing caregivers. This strategic move reflects a growing recognition of the critical role caregivers play, and aims to address persistent caregiver shortages.

Cornhole tournament raises $33K for Chatham-Kent HospiceCK News Today, by Millar Hill; 3/4/24The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation's inaugural cornhole tournament was a success, raising over $33,000 for end-of-life care in Chatham-Kent. The event, which took place Saturday at the Everest Convention Centre in Chatham, saw 28 teams take part who wanted to help raise some funds.Editor's Note: Who would have thought that cornhole could raise so much money? With its growing popularity in the US, consider incorporating a revenue-generating cornhole area into your standard (appropriate) fundraisers. Are you hosting a golf tournment? Consider including an intergenerational, family/team oriented cornhole contest for family, friends, and community groups.

Hittin' the Road for Hospice: Annual motorcycle ride raises $22,000 for Gulfside Hospice patients and their families The Laker / Lutz News; by Mary Rathman; 3/5/24[Scroll down on the page for the article] For more than a decade, motorcycle riders have been coming together to raise funds for Gulfside Hospice and support patients in need and their families. During the 12th annual Hittin’ the Road for Hospice, the crowd raised just over $22,000 for the nonprofit, according to a news release.

Premier Hospice Phoenix exits Medicare program, impacting local healthcareBNN, by Mazhar Abbas; 3/4/24Premier Hospice in Phoenix ends its Medicare agreement, sparking concerns among patients and providers. Explore the impact and future of hospice care.

Aspirus Health completes St. Luke's Duluth acquisitionModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 3/1/24Aspirus Health finalized its acquisition of St. Luke's Duluth, forming a 19-hospital system spanning northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. ... As part of the transaction, Aspirus will invest at least $300 million over eight years in St. Luke’s and will expand its health plan to St. Luke’s service area within two years. In addition, Aspirus will honor all physician, labor and union contracts, the system said in a news release Friday. Editor's Note: Both Aspirus Health and St. Luke's Duluth provide hospice care.