Literature Review

CommonSpirit Health to acquire Good Samaritan Hospice WTWO/WAWV, Vincennes/Terre Haute, IN; by Brayton Riley; 10/16/25 ... As we have previously reported, Good Samaritan planned on closing its hospice program at the end of 2025. However, leadership began looking at ways that would allow hospice services to continue. During that process, Good Samaritan said CommonSpirit Health was identified as the best organization to assume ownership of the services. ... Rob McLin, CEO of Good Samaritan [said,] “After announcing the planned closure, our goal was to find a qualified organization that could continue this vital service for our community. CommonSpirit Health at Home’s acquisition of our hospice program ensures that care will continue seamlessly, delivered by the same trusted caregivers who have supported patients and families for years.” ... The transition is anticipated to take effect in February of 2026.

Celebrating the Guernsey Center for Caring groundbreaking in Arlington, VA ABC 7, Arlington, VA; by Good Morning Washington; 10/13/25 Diane and David Guernsey, longtime community supporters and advocates for hospice care, joined Capital Caring Health to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Guernsey Center for Caring in Arlington, Virginia. Their generous gift made the renovation possible, helping expand access to compassionate, nonprofit hospice care across the region. 

[Scotland] The University of Glasgow has partnered with The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice to launch a bold new concept in sustainable fashion, in the heart of Glasgow University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom; by University News; 10/14/25 The University of Glasgow has partnered with The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice to launch a bold new concept in sustainable fashion, in the heart of Glasgow. With more than 200,000 tonnes of textile waste generated annually in the UK, Worthwhile Wardrobe is a collaboration between the hospice and Adam Smith Business School that offers a more conscious and sustainable way to shop. High-end items donated to the hospice will be curated into the ‘Worthwhile Wardrobe’ collection, available at the Hospice Shop on Queen Street, Glasgow. When a customer purchases an item from the collection, they have the option to return it after use and receive a discount on their next Worthwhile Wardrobe purchase. This ensures that garments stay in the circular chain rather than being discarded after minimal wear. Professor Deirdre Shaw, Professor of Consumer Ethics and Sustainability at the Adam Smith Business School, said: “Worthwhile Wardrobe is all about doing good - for the planet and for people. By extending the life of clothes, you help reduce waste while supporting vital hospice care."

Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter sees largest turnout for annual fundraiser walk WABI-5, Bangor, ME; by Grace Bradley; 10/11/25 For more than two decades, folks have hit the streets of Bangor to help raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s. On Saturday, Maine’s chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association says they saw the largest crowd yet of about 400 people for their largest annual fundraiser. “We provide free care and support for families and community members walking through this disease, whether it’s Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. So what we do enables us to do everything for free. But we also take a portion of that money and put it towards research,” explains Kris Baker, Development Manager of Alzheimer’s Association Maine. Editor's Note: Do you support and partner with the Alzheimer's Association?

Dallas looks at hospice care, shelters and tiny homes as potential homeless solutionsThe Dallas Morning News; 10/8/25; by By María Ramos PachecoHospice house care, temporary shelters and tiny homes are all potential solutions coming to Dallas as the city looks for short- and long-term solutions to address homelessness. On Tuesday, the City Council’s homeless solutions committee held a special-called meeting to hear from three different organizations on their efforts to provide housing for the homeless in other cities and how this approach could be applied in Dallas... Chris Kulac, CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association, presented plans for the new hospice house for homeless individuals in Dallas... The hospice house will be a small, licensed assisted-living facility in the Wilson Historic District of Old East Dallas, offering five rooms for individuals requiring end-of-life care who have no home.

Tri Cities Chaplaincy in Kennewick undergoes $3M+ remodel Fox11-41, Kennewick, WA; by Eli Kern; 10/9/25 The Tri Cities Chaplaincy is undergoing a significant remodel, with a budget of more than $3 million. The hospice center, which has been serving the community since the early 1990s, is getting a much-needed upgrade. Laurie Jackson, CEO of Tri Cities Chaplaincy, shared her gratitude for the community’s continuous support. “We could not have built this in the first place were it not for community partnerships,” said Jackson. The hospice center has been providing care for 30 years, offering families a chance to be present with their loved ones rather than acting as caregivers. Jackson expressed appreciation for individuals like Tom Halazon, the former executive director who played a crucial role in the original project back in 1993. 

Home health & hospice's top advocacy priorities TIMSHME.com; by Steve Landers; 10/5/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is the largest organization representing, advocating for and convening providers of home-based care, representing over 1,500 organizations and more than 10,000 agencies serving millions of people nationwide. ... Last month, the Alliance convened more than 230 frontline providers and leaders in Washington to advocate for these priorities.  ... Advocates shared the key issues impacting care, why it matters and what Congress should do about it.

[Canada] Hot Rods for Hospice raises $34,744.59 Penticton Herald, British Columbia, Canada; by Michael Bennett; 10/6/25 The third annual East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice, unofficially, set records for vehicles, donations, and attendees as well. More than 330 classic cars and trucks were parked on the grounds of the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, and an estimated 4,000 people enjoyed the attractions at the Saturday, Sept. 20, event, which was put on by the Ridge Runners East Kent Car Club. ... But most importantly, participants, attendees and sponsors raised  $34,744.59 for the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. ... The total donation to the Hospice over the three years is $96,524.15.

Study: PE-owned hospices have highest profits, lowest spending on direct patient care McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 10/8/25 Compared to publicly traded company-owned and other for-profit hospices, private equity (PE)-owned hospices reported the highest profits and lowest spending on direct patient care and nonsalary administrative services, a study published Tuesday in Health Affairs revealed. The study, which used 2022 Medicare cost reports, compared revenue and expense data across four hospice ownership models: PE-owned, publicly traded company-owned, other for- profit, and not-for-profit. The sample consisted of 2,989 freestanding hospices ... [Across] the board, not-for-profits spend about 20% more on direct patient care services than other for-profits. And that seems to be driven by a pretty big difference in nurse salaries, which to us implies that staffing tends to be better at or at least more robust at not-for-profits. ... A body of research has found that for-profit hospice ownership, including private equity, is associated with poorer quality, higher rates of complaints, a higher number of live discharges, and a higher hospitalization rate compared with not-for-profit ownership.

St. Croix Hospice expands access to care with new locations Investors Hangout; by Evelyn Baker; 10/6/25 St. Croix Hospice is dedicated to enhancing the quality of end-of-life care, and they have taken a significant step forward by opening four new branches across the Midwest. This initiative not only increases their reach but also improves access to compassionate care and support for families during challenging times. The four new locations are strategically placed in communities that can greatly benefit from additional hospice services. Each new branch is situated in:

Good Samaritan announces transition of hospice services Good Samaritan, Vincennes, IN; Press Release by Good Samaritan; 10/3/25 Good Samaritan [in Vincennes, Indiana] has announced the difficult decision to close its hospice program effective December 31, 2025. The decision, made by the hospital’s Executive Team and Board of Governors, follows a careful evaluation of health care trends and reflects Good Samaritan’s commitment to responsible stewardship and long-term sustainability. “Since its beginning, our hospice team has provided extraordinary, compassionate care to patients and families across our region,” said Rob McLin, CEO of Good Samaritan. “We hold deep respect for that legacy and are committed to supporting our patients, families, and hospice team throughout this transition.”

Chico nurses at Enloe Health to hold rally to protest closure of home health and hospice units National Nurses United; Press Release by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United; 10/1/25 ... Nurses are calling on the hospital to protect the health of some of Chico’s most vulnerable patients and maintain the essential services and end-of-life care provided by these units.  “For years, Enloe hospice stood alone in providing care for underserved Medi-Cal patients and for our youngest, most fragile patients—children at the end of life,” said Ruby Khoury, registered nurse in the hospice unit. “A vital, compassionate service is being taken away, and a hospital that once led with dignity and inclusivity in hospice care now faces a painful void. We nurses demand that the home health and hospice units remain open. Otherwise, the most vulnerable will suffer first: children, Medi-Cal patients, families without resources.”

Chapters Health System strengthens California health services Investors Hangout; by Evelyn Baker; 9/30/25 Chapters Health System, renowned as a leading advocate for chronic illness care and the largest nonprofit hospice network in the nation, has recently announced a significant step forward. The organization has finalized its affiliation with Hospice of Santa Cruz County, marking an exciting expansion of the Chapters Health West division within California. ... The integration of Hospice of Santa Cruz County into the Chapters Health West division follows earlier affiliations with established entities like Nathan Adelson Hospice and Willamette Vital Health, enhancing the comprehensive service offerings available in the region.