Literature Review

Community foundation awards $25,000 grant to VNA Mobile Health Clinic Sebastian Daily, Vero Beach, FL; by Andy Hodges; 8/7/26 The Indian River Community Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast’s Mobile Health Clinic to support its ongoing work bringing primary care and screenings to residents who face barriers to traditional medical settings. The check was presented July 28 at a ceremony that included representatives from the foundation, VNA leadership, Mobile Health Clinic staff and the VNA & Hospice Foundation.

Home health, hospice admissions surge as Medicare Advantage growth plateausMcKnights Home Care; by Marissa Fernandez; 8/6/26  Providers could potentially have a new benchmark for fee-for-service home care admissions, according to the latest report from Trella Health. The annual interactive Post-Acute Market Intelligence Report: 2026 Edition also found increases in home health and hospice admissions, as well as other related data changes that could signal national trends.

Hudson Valley Hospice lights the Walkway in Memory of loved ones Times Hudson Valley, Newgurgh, NY; by Mark Reynolds; 8/5/26 The Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation held its second annual Lights Across the Hudson luminary event Friday evening at the midpoint of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. The free event offered visitors a chance for reflection, connection and shared memory of loved ones who have died. Thousands of glowing luminaries, each honoring an individual, lined the southern side of the walkway’s 1.28-mile span. ... “Tonight, as the sun sets and the Walkway begins to glow with thousands of luminaries, we are reminded that love does not end when a life ends,” Lisa Wilson, executive director of the foundation said. ... Wilson said each luminary represents its own story. ... Students from Hudson Valley Voices in Harmony, led by choral director Stephanie Hu-Corbett, performed several selections, including “Be the Light.”

Concordia Hospice of Washington Donnell House closes Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA; by Karen Mansfield; 8/3/26 For nearly 25 years, Concordia Hospice of Washington Donnell House has helped patients and their families through life’s hardest moments. Now, the hospice facility in Washington has closed its doors. “Concordia Hospice of Washington can confirm that inpatient hospice services are no longer being provided at the Donnell House,” the company said in a statement. “This change reflects a continuing decline in the need for inpatient hospice care as more patients and families choose to receive hospice services in the comfort of home, supported by advances in community-based care.” The hospice team continues to provide in-home care and support to patients and families throughout the region, according to a spokesman.

Beyond the headlines: the hospice story we aren’t telling enough National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); podcast hosted by Tom Koutsoumpas and Carole Fisher with Karen Rubel, Tim Meadows, Viki Jingle, and Brad Luna; 7/31/26Hospice is making headlines — but there’s a much bigger story to tell. In this episode, hospice leaders Karen Rubel, Tim Meadows and Viki Jingle join Tom and Carole to discuss how organizations can respond to today’s hospice fraud-focused environment by leading with messaging on quality, transparency, and trust. Communications expert Brad Luna then shares practical strategies for developing messages that resonate, engaging local media, and telling the stories that showcase the real impact of hospice care in communities across America.

Delivering compassionate care in an evolving industry: OIG challengesHospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ; Press Release; 8/4/26... Over nearly five decades, Hospice of the Valley-West (HOV-West) has served our community and been a national leader in end-of-life care. We are committed to excellent clinical care along with being strong advocates of regulatory compliance and proponents of responsible stewardship of public resources. This commitment is shown in a number of ways: HOV was ranked among the top three hospices in the nation for high-quality care. ... An OIG third-party contractor audited 100 hospice claims for care provided during the first two years of the COVID-19 PHE. The OIG praised HOV-West for strong internal controls, policies and procedures. During the review, their third-party auditor agreed with 85 records, denying 15 records. In conversation with the OIG, they stated that this represents good results. However, HOV-West strongly disagrees with the 15 denials and we believe they will be overturned through the review and appeal process. ... The OIG report can be read here.

Josh & Jase bring toys to Hospice of Michigan’s youngest patients, kick off special fundraiser MLive, Grand Rapids, MI; by Tanda Gmiter; 8/3/26 The British TikTok duo Josh & Jase are known for encouraging goodwill as they travel around our state. Last winter’s trek across Michigan saw their tour of Mel Trotter Ministries raise thousands of dollars for the shelter’s programs. This week, they invited their huge social media audience to see the good work being done by Hospice of Michigan, a non-profit that helps those near death - and their families. Josh & Jase visited some of the youngest patients and their families in what turned out to be an emotional day for the social media stars. “Today was one of those days that will stay with us forever,” they wrote on their Facebook account on Friday. ... The duo said they were impressed at how Hospice of Michigan’s staff can be there to support not just the patient, but entire families during what can be a very difficult and heartbreaking time.

Hospice groups ‘disappointed’ by 2027 Final Rule Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/3/26 Hospice organizations are expressing “disappointment” following the release of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) hospice final rule for 2027. A chief sticking point was the 2.3% base rate increase, which was less than the 2.4% the agency originally proposed. Members of industry trade groups contend that this is an insufficient amount in today’s economy and cost environment. ... New for 2027, the Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI) includes a scoring system using nine claims-based measures, each representing different aspects of hospice utilization as well as non-hospice spending. This is designed to identify hospices in need of increased transparency and oversight. CMS established the SSVI amid the agency’s concerns over non-hospice spending in particular. The Alliance, LeadingAge and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) opposed the SSVI in comments on the proposed rule.

Columbus Foundation grant to support Wexner Heritage Village hospice music therapy program Columbus Jewish News; by Noell Wofgram Evans; 7/31/26   The transition to a hospice can be emotional, stressful and scary. Zusman Community Hospice at Wexner Heritage Village was recently awarded a grant from the Columbus Foundation to help reduce the negative feelings that can be connected with that transition. The $25,000 grant will establish a Hospice Music Therapy Program, a new program that joins their pet therapy and aromatherapy care components which accompany traditional hospice services. Sophia Elias, director of development at Wexner Heritage Village, told the Columbus Jewish News, “The grant will support year-long access to a board-certified music therapist who will provide approximately six to seven visits each week.”

Hospice of Southern Illinois marks 45 years of care The Southern Illinoisan, Marion, IL; by Paul Wilcoxen; 7/30/26 Hospice of Southern Illinois has spent the past 45 years helping patients and families navigate the end of life. The Marion Chamber of Commerce recognized the anniversary Thursday. Hospice of Southern Illinois CEO Amy Richter said the milestone belongs as much to the people behind the organization as it does to the organization itself. “When I first came to the company 17 years ago, the census down in Marion, the number of patients that we served back then was half of what it is now, so it’s grown that much,” Richter said. “Again, it’s due to the staff and all of our volunteers, and the community and all of our community partners.”

Ennoble Care achieves outstanding quality outcomes and lower costs for high-needs Medicare patientsThe Best Times, Arlington, VA; by PR Newswire; 7/30/26Ennoble Care announced the publication of its 2026 Quality and Outcomes Report. The report highlights reductions in hospitalizations, improved quality of life, and lower costs for a population that is twice as medically complex as the national Medicare average.

Unity Golf Classic raises more than $80,000 to support compassionate hospice care, palliative care The Chamber Manitowoc County, De Pere, WI; Press Release; 7/28/2026Unity's 10th Annual Golf Classic brought together 124 golfers, 26 sponsors, 28 volunteers, and several community partners on Thursday, July 16, at Thornberry Creek at Oneida, raising nearly $80,000 to support Unity's mission of providing compassionate care and grief support throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Celebrating its tenth year, the Unity Golf Classic has become one of the organization's signature fundraising events, helping ensure patients and families receive expert, dignified care regardless of their ability to pay. "The Unity Golf Classic is about much more than a day on the course," said Alisa Gerke, Executive Director of Unity. "It is an opportunity for our community to come together in support of patients and families facing some of life's most difficult moments. We are incredibly grateful to every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, and donor whose generosity makes this event possible."

Hospice launches new website The Martha's Vineyard Time, Martha's Vineyard, MA; Press Release; 7/29/26 Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV) announces the launch of its newly redesigned website and new educational video. The new website offers visitors a more user-friendly experience, making it easier to find information about hospice, palliative care, grief support services, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to support the organization. Designed with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members in mind, the site serves as a comprehensive resource for information about HPCMV.