Literature Review

Reader opinion: HCS supports its nurses, programs, by Talee Messenger The Keene Sentinel, Keene, NH; by Talee Messenger; 5/17/26 For over a century, Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services has been built on a foundation of nurses committed to meeting patients where they are. From traveling by foot and trolley in the early years to delivering specialized care today, HCS nurses have continued to lead with compassion and innovation. This Nurses Month, we honor that legacy while reaffirming our commitment to supporting the next generation of nurses. Providing care in rural communities requires adaptability, independence, and a deep connection to the people being served. At HCS, we believe meaningful care depends on shared knowledge and continuous learning.

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.

Compassus-Providence JV to move forward in Oregon Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/18/26 The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has cleared the way for a Compassus-Providence Health System joint venture to operate in the state. The home-based care provider Compassus has established a joint venture with the health system Providence in 2024 and expanded it last year. However, in Oregon the state agency must review all such transactions. ... The conditions are intended to ensure the proposed transaction serves the public interest by expanding access to home health and hospice services in medically underserved communities, according to OHA.

Moratorium a ‘sledgehammer’ approach in hospice fraud forcefield Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/14/26 A temporary national moratorium has halted new hospice and home health enrollment in an effort to curb fraudulent activity in these industries. The hospice community has come forward in droves to examine the scope of potential benefits, and risks, to future access and quality. ... Applying a broad brush of regulatory enforcement could come with unintended challenges for legitimate providers, which represent the vast majority of hospices.

‘Boots & Bling’ raises over $115K for care in Calvert County Hospice of the Chesapeake, Pasadena, MD; Press Release; 5/14/26 Donning denim, cowboy boots and plenty of sparkle, the Calvert County community came together to raise more than $115,000 for Hospice of the Chesapeake at “Boots & Bling, A Culinary Experience”. The event was held May 9 ... Around 180 guests enjoyed international and Chesapeake Bay cuisine while learning about the mission of the nonprofit organization. Funds from this year’s event will support programs that teach, support, and guide Calvert County people experiencing serious illness and their families.

The National Law Review: CMS imposes nationwide enrollment moratoria on hospices and home health agencies - what buyers sellers and operators need to know The National Law Review; by Margia Corner, Ashley Wheelock, Tammy Ward Woffenden, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; 5/14/26 ... [Assuming readers have background information] ... Critically for some pending or proposed transactions, both moratoria block re-enrollment of hospices or HHAs undergoing a non-exempt change in majority ownership (CIMO) within 36 months of initial enrollment or the most recent CIMO. Such transactions require the entity to enroll as a brand-new provider.... Both moratoria apply only to Medicare. However, CMS is encouraging states to consider parallel moratoria for Medicaid and CHIP, tailored to their beneficiary population and geographic considerations. CMS also noted that while some states previously enacted laws placing a moratorium on issuing new licenses in their state, those efforts cannot prevent new agencies or enrollments in other states and thus its nationwide moratoria are warranted.

Varied reporting of the CMS Hospice and Home Health Moratorium

The Alliance responds to CMS’s announcement of nationwide enrollment moratoria on hospice and home health providers  National Alliance for Care at Home | The Alliance; Press Release; 5/13/26 On May 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a six-month national moratorium on hospice and home health enrollment in response to program integrity concerns within the Medicare programs. While the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) strongly supports efforts to root out bad actors who exploit these essential programs, undermine confidence in care at home, and threaten the patients and families who depend on it, the Alliance has long advocated for targeted strategies that distinguish between high-fraud markets and communities where fraud is not an identified problem and patients already face shortages of providers. 

Generous community support drives new hospice home project: longtime community member LeRoy Havel donates $500,000 to End of Life Hospice Home coming to Washington Southeast Iowa Union, Washington, IA; by Giovanni Coronel; 5/11/26 A generous donation of $500,000 from longtime community member and benefactor LeRoy Havel was given in support of an End of Life Hospice Home (EOLH) coming to Washington during a presentation on May 8. A EOLH is a place where individuals can spend their final days in comfort, dignity, and peace with around-the-clock-care in a home-like setting. It will be the first one of its kind in Washington and in Washington County.

Watch recording: JD Vance holds press conference on anti-fraud initiatives Washington Examiner | White House | YouTube | PBS News; by David Zimmermann; 5/13/26 Vice President JD Vance held a press conference Wednesday afternoon on anti-fraud initiatives he has been spearheading alongside other officials. Since March, the vice president has led the White House task force designed to combat fraud across the nation. Reported fraud in Minnesota served as the impetus for the task force’s creation, according to an executive order. 

Valley Hospice receives $150,000 grant Your Ohio News; Press Release; 5/11/26 Valley Hospice recently received a $150,000 anonymous grant to support its Caring Connections Palliative Care Program, allowing the organization to expand care and support for patients and families across the region. “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary gift. This $150,000 donation ensures that our growing community-based palliative care program can continue to meet the expanding needs of those we serve,” said Andrea Hale, Valley Hospice CEO. 

Children’s Minnesota establishes first endowed chair for pain, palliative care and integrative medicine program BusinessWire, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; Press Release; 5/7/26 Children’s Minnesota is pleased to announce a new investment in easing pain and improving comfort for children facing serious illness. Thanks to a generous $2 million gift from the Hanson family, the health system has established its first endowed chair dedicated to pediatric pain, palliative care and integrative medicine. Kris Catrine, MD, medical director of Children’s Minnesota’s pain, palliative care and integrative medicine (PPCIM) program, has been named the inaugural holder of the Hanson Family Endowed Chair in Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine.

Local hospice leader exposes fraud draining millions in taxpayer dollars across Texas KWTX 10, Waco, TX; by Nicole Marino; 5/8/26 Texas hospice licenses have nearly doubled since 2020, with some operators billing Medicare for patients who don’t know they’re enrolled. ... Lisa McNair, president and CEO of Hospice Brazos Valley, testified before the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services in April with research showing the number of hospices in Texas has nearly doubled since 2020. There are now more than 1,300 hospices operating in the state. ... McNair told KBTX that the fraud is draining taxpayer dollars and eroding trust in legitimate end-of-life care.