Literature Review

‘No one is safe’ in CMS’ fraud fight Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/25/26 The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is casting a wide net in its anti-fraud efforts, and some legitimate providers are finding themselves on the hook. ... CMS has pledged to crack down hard on fraudulent hospices, but to date some of their efforts lack transparency and could represent a threat to honest providers, according to Andrew Brenton, attorney with Husch Blackwell. “With the wide net that CMS is casting, certainly, good hospices are being caught up in that,” Brenton said at the Hospice News ELEVATE conference. “I think no one is really safe, because a lot of this is a black box; the methodology by which CMS chooses which hospices to audit or otherwise target for enforcement is kind of unknown.”

Ohio’s Hospice fundraiser in Malvern raises more than $42,000 Your Ohio News; by Kyle Valentini; 3/22/26 The Carroll County community came together March 21 to raise funds for nonprofit hospice care during Ohio’s Hospice Spring Spectacular Treasures of Time at Good Shepherd Hall in Malvern. According to Ohio’s Hospice, more than 175 attendees took part in the event, supporting celebrity servers while helping raise $42,175. 

Official statement from NPHI on recent hospice fraud media coverage and ongoing federal enforcement efforts National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); Press Release; 3/20/26 ... NPHI is actively engaged with federal leaders to advance targeted solutions that root out bad actors while safeguarding the integrity of the hospice benefit. It is important to underscore that these issues are not representative of the majority of hospice providers, who are focused every day on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients and families. Official Statement by Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI: "... It’s important to be clear — this is not a failure of the hospice model of care. It is the result of a subset of providers exploiting the healthcare system, and that must stop. ..."Carole Fisher, President of NPHI, added: "“At its core, hospice care is about trust — trust from patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. That’s why NPHI is committed to supporting decisive action to address bad actors, while continuing to uphold and protect the high standards that define this field.”

Lanterns shine light on spiritual, financial help Fort Worth nonprofit gives to terminally ill FWR - Fort Worth Report, Fort Worth, TX; by Marissa Greene; 2/16/26 Nestled within a grove of trees, more than 300 lanterns twinkled around the perimeter of the Keith House on a recent evening in the Clearfork neighborhood. The pulsing glow of the tealight candle inside each white paper bag illuminated a first name and last initial inscribed into the front of the lantern. Each name represented a patient served by Project 4031, a faith-based nonprofit aiming to provide peace and comfort to terminally ill children, adults and families facing end-of-life challenges by easing financial burdens and fulfilling last wishes. 

Ahead of National Volunteer Month, NPHI calls on Americans to become hospice volunteers and strengthen human connection National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/19/26 As more Americans look for ways to build connection and find purpose in their communities, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation is encouraging individuals to consider volunteering with their local hospice during National Volunteer Month this April. Across the country, nearly 30,000 volunteers already serve alongside professional care teams within NPHI's network of more than 125 nonprofit providers, bringing comfort, presence, and human connection to patients and families facing serious illness while also experiencing the personal benefits of giving back.

Community built it. Corporate changed it. The Durango Herald, Durango, CO; by Myriam Palmer; 3/13/26 Durango Herald reporters have been informing us about the changes in palliative and hospice care at Mercy Hospital CommonSpirit. In November, we learned that Mercy Hospice House would be temporarily closed to realign with the CommonSpirit model. It is notable that the construction of Mercy Hospice House was fully funded by community contributions. Years of soliciting donations from the entire community resulted in great pride when it began receiving patients in 2017. In the months since we learned that Hospice House was temporarily closed, we said farewell to the director of hospice services at Mercy. The most recent comprehensive article (Herald, March 1), attempted to explain the new for-profit model of outpatient palliative care at Mercy.  

Hospice of Humboldt announces $250,000 matching gift My Humboldt Life, Eureka, CA; 3/15/26 Hospice of Humboldt is pleased to announce a $250,000 matching gift from the owners of Premier Financial Group to support the continued growth of its Home-Based Palliative Care program. ... Launched in 2022, Hospice of Humboldt’s Home-Based Palliative Care program currently serves 70 patients and meeting the next fundraising goal will allow them to expand to 140 individuals. “Nearly 30 years ago, our founders set out to model how organizations can invest meaningfully in their communities through a strong culture of giving,” said Wayne Caldwell, CFP®, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Premier Financial Group. 

VNA of Texas to take over operations of Faith Presbyterian Hospice Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/11/26 Faith Presbyterian Hospice, a subsidiary of the nonprofit senior housing operator Forefront Living, is transferring its patients and most of its staff to the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA). VNA is expanding its census and its footprint through a deepened partnership with Forefront, with which the organization has had a longstanding relationship. Faith Presbyterian is currently winding down its operations, allowing VNA and Forefront to focus on their own core competencies while leveraging each other’s expertise.

Bedford Hospice House seeks new partners Bedford Bulletin, Bedford, VA; by John Barnhart; 3/11/26The Bedford Hospice House will close on April 15, but this may not be the end. The hospice house was built as a community endeavor with Tom and Connie Messier spearheading the effort. The community raised the money to build a free-standing residential-style hospice house. The four-bedroom facility provided a home-like place where terminal ill people, who could not stay in their homes, could spend there last days. ... According to Amy Merrill Willis, President of the Board of Directors for Friends of the Bedford Hospice House, Cemtra notified them on Feb. 26, that hospice house would close.  ... "We remain very committed to the hospice house," she said. She said they are exploring options and have been in communication with the Bedford County Board of Supervisors. She said the supervisors are interested in maintaining it as a hospice house and she said her board hopes to find a new partner.

Shanti Niketan Hospice Home Campaign reaches $3.5 million goal WGRK K-Country 105.7, Glasgow, KY; by Josh Mickinney; 3/10/26 The T.J. Community Mission Foundation (TJCMF) announced the successful completion of the $3.5 million capital campaign to build Shanti Niketan Hospice Home during a special ceremony celebrating the facility’s five-year anniversary. The campaign, titled “Love Makes This House a Home,” was launched in 2015 with the goal of creating a residential hospice facility to serve families throughout south central Kentucky. Since opening in 2021, Shanti Niketan Hospice Home has provided care and comfort for more than 275 patients and their families. “Shanti Niketan Hospice Home reflects the very best of compassionate healthcare,” said Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health.

Wicker named interim CEO at Hospice & Palliative Care Index-Journal, Greenwood, SC; Press Release; 3/5/26Dr. Nancy Hart Wicker has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer at Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont. “Dr. Wicker is a respected leader with a deep understanding of our mission and our community,” said Rhonda McGinnis, chair of the Board of Directors. “We are confident in her ability to guide the organization during this period and ensure continued excellence in care.” Wicker affirmed that Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont’s mission, values and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. 

Oregon legislature passes bill Stop Bad Actors from Taking Advantage of Hospice Patients OregonLegislature.gov, Salem, OR; Press Release, Office of Senator Deb Patterson; 3/4/26 Hospice began as a movement to provide end-of-life care for terminally ill patients. However, corporate investors have started buying up hospice agencies and reducing services as they try to maximize profits. In some states, this has led to patterns of fraud, abuse, and neglect. Today, the Oregon Legislature passed the Protecting the Dying Act (SB 1575), which enhances state oversight of hospice agencies. ... Senator Patterson began work on this issue after it was brought to her by a local hospice provider in her community. Iria Nishimura, CEO of Willamette Vital Health in Salem, said, “Hospice serves patients and families during the most vulnerable time of life. The state has a responsibility to ensure that providers entering this field are qualified, ethical, and capable of deliver high-quality care.”