Literature Review

State grant supports Navian Hawai'i, expands access to hospice careNavian Hawaii, Honolulu, HI; Press Release; 5/14/26 As federal funding uncertainty continues to impact health care providers nationwide, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature has approved a $450,000 grant-in-aid to Navian Hawaii. The funds will be used to renovate the nonprofit organization’s Kailua Home, helping expand access to hospice care and potentially increase Medicare funding for the state. The funding was included in the state’s supplemental budget bill finalized April 30, which outlines operating and capital improvement priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The measure comes amid broader federal budget concerns, including proposed cuts to Medicaid under H.R. 1.

HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care 50th Anniversary Gala raises over $410K to support care for all who need it HopeHealth, Providence, RI; Press Release; 5/27/26 HopeHealth, the second oldest hospice in the country, today announced that it raised over $410,000 during its 50 Years of Hope & Gratitude gala on May 21. Celebrating HopeHealth’s extraordinary 50 years of care at the WaterFire Arts Center were 400 supporters, community leaders, and advocates, including Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed. The event also marked the public launch of HopeHealth’s The Gift of Hope campaign, which supports the organization’s growth and investment in three strategic priorities: providing support for seriously ill patients and their caregivers; expanding outreach to underserved communities; and providing hospice access through the Arthur S. Robbins Hope Fund, named in memory of the beloved community leader and former HopeHealth board member. Campaign Tri-Chairs Ruth Fain, Jonathan Fain, and Christopher Marsella announced that the campaign has quietly raised $4.2 million to date. 

‘A Night at the Derby’ raises $156,731 for hospice, breaking fundraising record Black Hills Pioneer, Spearfish, SD; by Pioneer Staff; 5/26/26 Monument Health Foundation broke its previous fundraising record at this year’s “Night at the Derby” event on April 25, raising $156,731 to support Northern Hills Hospice. Once again proceeds from this year’s event supported hospice care in the Northern Hills. A fund-a-mission portion of the event supported the purchase of SoloProtect ID Touch technology: discreet, wearable devices that connect caregivers to 24/7 emergency support.Editor's Note: In 2025 this event raised "more than $136,000" and in 2024 it raised "nearly $110,000." Congratulations on these significant increases, paired with their innovative "fund-a-mission portion of the event."

Proposed community-based palliative care model aims to expand access to care Hospice News; by Kevin Ryan; 5/22/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) has teamed up with the Coalition to Transform Advance Care (C-TAC) to work on building a federal fee-for-service, community-based palliative care model that would provide broader access and earlier support for patients across the United States. Research has shown benefits for patients and families when they are able to receive palliative care early on, after the diagnosis of a serious illness. But many patients in the United States do not receive palliative care until they have reached a crisis point, Tom Koutsoumpas founder and CEO of NPHI told Palliative Care News. 

Veterans Guest House hospice program nears one-year milestone ahead of Memorial Day KOLO 8 ABC NewsNow, Reno, NV; by Hana Altenburg; 5/25/26 As Memorial Day approaches, a Northern Nevada nonprofit is encouraging the community to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans while highlighting a growing need for hospice care services in the region. ... According to Veterans Guest House, there are an estimated 10 hospice beds dedicated specifically to veterans in the Reno-Sparks area, despite Nevada being home to more than 150,000 veterans statewide. Nearly half of those veterans are age 65 or older. The Cynthia Lake House provides free accommodations for veterans and family members during hospice care.

Second annual Hospice News provider rankings and trends report: top 50 providers + exclusive analysis Hospice News; 5/26/26 The hospice sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by shifting ownership structures, demographic demand and new approaches to caring for seriously ill populations. For the second annual Hospice News 50 report, we partnered with Hospice Analytics to rank the largest hospice chains by 2024 Medicare claims. Drawing on proprietary data — including Medicare payments, corporate disclosures, acquisition activity and SEC filings — the report provides a detailed view of how consolidation, investment patterns and emerging players are reshaping the industry.

Hospice fraud is real — but so is ethical hospice care Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA; by Tim Meadows, CEO of Snowline Health; Molly Corbett, CEO of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice; Deanna Brooks, CEO of Hospice of San Joaquin; Sarah McSpadden, CEO of The Elizabeth Hospice; and Craig Dressang, CEP of YoloCares; 5/20/26 Recent headlines detailing hospice fraud investigations across California are deeply troubling. ... These investigations are necessary, long overdue and effective. ... However, amid this justified scrutiny, it is critical not to lose sight of an equally important truth: Hospice fraud is not hospice care. ... Just as important, there are clear ways to identify ethical hospice providers. Families can protect themselves by taking a few simple, informed steps:

Michael Jordan shares emotional FaceTime moment with former teacher in hospice: "They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other" Basketball Network; by Bjorn Del B. Deade; 5/17/26 Nowadays, Michael Jordan only makes headlines because of the success of his NASCAR Cup Series team ... However, the news cycle recently took a refreshing turn after Jordan’s kind gesture toward one of his former teachers at Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. The teacher, Ms. Etta, is currently a patient at Lower Cape Fear LifeCar, which is located in his hometown. And as she recounts her tales about Laney High School, she has repeatedly said she wanted to reconnect with the Chicago Bulls legend. So, Jordan did what he could to make it happen. The non-profit hospice shared its unforgettable interaction on its social media.

Varied reporting of the CMS Hospice and Home Health Moratorium

Hike for Hope Hospice fundraiser raises over $60k Patch, Livermore, CA; by Michael Wittner; 5/19/26 More than 400 participants raised over $60,000 at Hike for Hope, the annual fundraiser for Hope Hospice. On May 9, supporters gathered at Del Valle Regional Park to enjoy a hike, community barbecue, and raffle. The proceeds from the walk raised money for Hope Hospice’s work providing essential hospice and grief support for patients and caregivers across the East Bay, including programs not covered by Medicare.

Each May, Kennedy students raise money against cancer KELO Pierre, SD; by Bob Mercer; 5/18/26 Students at Kennedy Elementary School in Pierre are learning a valuable lesson. Giving can be the greatest gift of all. There was a friendly competition again during the first two weeks of May between the school’s 19 classrooms to see which one could raise the most money for a life-saving cause. It’s called Kennedy versus Cancer. Their goal was to raise $7,500 — and they’ve reached it once again. ... The money goes to Countryside Hospice. ... Kennedy Elementary students have been raising money to help the fight against cancer since their school opened in 2015. ... So far, more than $60,000 has been brought in.

HealthView CEO Steven Gonzalez announces Inc. articles on why presence beats certainty — and why it matters even more in the age of AI Associated Press, Cerritos, CA; 5/19/26 Steven Gonzalez, President & CEO of HealthView Home Health, Hospice & Palliative Care, announces the publication of his latest Inc. article, “Certainty Is Overrated. Presence Is Underrated,” now live on Inc.com. ... In the published article, Gonzalez challenges a long-held leadership myth: that strong leaders must always project confidence, clarity, and absolute answers. Instead, he makes the case that presence, consistency, and authenticity matter more than false certainty in times of rapid change. When leaders remain visible, grounded, and human, they build the trust and stability that carry teams forward — even in the middle of ambiguity.

CMS’s nationwide moratorium on new hospice and home health enrollments: operational, transactional, and enforcement risks for existing providers, healthcare organizations, and investorsClark Hill; by Jose Vela Jr.; 5/19/26 ... Key Takeaway: The larger issue may no longer be whether fraud exists within isolated hospice or home health agencies. ... Healthcare organizations, investors, healthcare professionals, and operational leaders affiliated with hospice and home health providers may wish to evaluate ownership structures, pending transactions, enrollment status, billing practices, referral relationships, operational controls, reimbursement exposure, and existing government scrutiny before operational disruptions, payment suspensions, recoupment activity, or enforcement actions arise.