Literature Review

Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske: Hospices facing ‘huge pendulum shift' Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/27/26 The hospice space has seen waves of regulatory changes in recent years that are affecting sustainable access, according to Meg Pekarske, partner at the law firm Husch Blackwell. Ensuring program integrity and quality will take an overhaul of hospice regulation. Pekarske, a hospice and health care attorney, is retiring with more than 25 years of legal experience, effective March 31. She recently sat down with Hospice News to reflect on the most significant regulatory changes impacting the future scope of hospice care delivery. Greater consideration is needed around a potential revamp of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Pekarske said.

Chapters Health System announces agreement with Housecall Providers Chapters Health System, Temple Terrace, FL; Press Release; 2/24/26 Chapters Health System ... announced today that the Board of Directors of Housecall Providers and its parent company, CareOregon, has submitted a definitive agreement for Housecall Providers to become part of Chapters Health. Pending approval of the Oregon Health Authority's Health Care Market Oversight program, this agreement will further expand the Chapters Health System's presence in the Pacific Northwest and align two nonprofit organizations committed to providing high-quality, community-based chronic illness care.

HopeHealth CEO: Hospice in ‘significant growth’ period Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/19/26 Hospices need an adaptive approach to meet an evolving range of diverse needs among terminally ill patients and their family caregivers. This is according to HopeHealth President and CEO Diana Franchitto. HopeHealth provides home care, hospice, palliative and dementia care, as well as caregiver and grief support services. The nonprofit health system serves Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.  ... Hospice News sat down with Franchitto to uncover the most significant trends impacting hospice care delivery as HopeHealth commemorates its 50th anniversary. ...

Letter to the editor: Thank you for your support of Hospice of the Plains Special to Journal-Advocate, Sterling, CO; by Hospice of the Plains; 2/17/26  On behalf of the entire Hospice of the Plains, Inc team, our hearts are full as we reflect on the incredible outpouring of support for this year's Fryin' and Buyin' Hometown Hospice Auction and Benefit. Thanks to the generosity, kindness, and community spirit of so many, this year's event was a remarkable success, raising around $48,500 to support compassionate hospice care right here at home. This auction was so much more than a fundraiser. It was a heartwarming celebration of community, connection, and shared purpose. [The rest of this letter may be limited to a paywall.]

Little houses of support for hospice care popping up NOLA.com, Slidell/New Orleans, LA; by Suzie Hunt; 2/17/26 A new public arts project in starting in Slidell will soon see a plethora of festive-themed tiny houses spread throughout the city and surrounding area, all to support end of life care for patients in St. Tammany parish. The Hospice Hope House Project is taking off through the efforts of local businesswoman and artist Connie Born and a team of volunteers. Proceeds will benefit the work done at the Hospice House.

This American Heart Month, Carolina Caring elevates cardiac care for serious illness Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; Press Release; 2/9/26 February is American Heart Month, a national effort to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. As of 2025, 6.7 million Americans over the age of 20 are living with heart failure (Heart Failure Society of America, 2025). ... In response, Carolina Caring’s Advanced Cardiac Care program provides effective, tailored support to patients with chronic heart conditions. As the first cardiac care program of its kind in North Carolina, Carolina Caring combines nationally recognized standards of care with a home-based hospice approach. 

'An alarm bell': Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service shutters amid turmoil for home health care Santa Fe New Mexican; Santa Fe, NM; by Margaret O'Hara; 2/16/26 A home health and hospice agency that has been serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties for more than 50 years will shutter later this month, a closure agency officials attributed to decreasing revenue from patient insurance and sharply rising health care costs. Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service will halt operations Friday. The loss should serve as a warning, said Meggin Lorino, executive director of the New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care. The decision to shutter Los Alamos Visiting Nurses comes as rural health care providers grapple with an abundance of challenges, which range from operating on razor-thin financial margins to impending cuts to Medicaid to the added pressures of the state’s aging population.Editor's Note: This provides further information to the article we posted 2/13/26, "Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service closing its doors but other options are available to those in need."

Florida’s hospice system works because standards matter | Opinion News-Press; by Jaysen Roa; 2/13/26 Key Points

[United Kingdom] Valentine's Day dip raises £40,000 for hospice BBC News, Felixstowe, England, United Kingdom; by Jenny Kirk and Sharique Ahmed; 2/14/26 About 200 people have braved the winter temperatures and run into the North Sea off the Suffolk Coast, in aid of a local hospice. Felixstowe's rescheduled Christmas Day sea dip, for St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich, took place on the morning of Valentine's Day after originally being cancelled by bad weather. Ellie Main, from the hospice, called the dip a "local tradition" for the region, adding that a "significant" £40,000 had been raised so far. Emma and Gary came along with 10-year-old Millie from Ipswich, for their first winter dip. The family said they were "excited" and hoped to support the hospice that had cared for some family members.Editor's Note: While I surely love hospice, this show of love is more than I would be able to muster. For perspective, Felixstowe's geographical latitude is about the same as Calgary, Canada: Cold. 

Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service closing its doors but other options are available to those in need Los Alamos Daily Post, Los Alamos, NM; by Kirsten Laskey; 2/12/26 The closure of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) on Feb. 20 after more than 50 years of service marks the end of a significant chapter in Los Alamos. However, it is not the end of the story; there are still options available to those who utilized LAVNS’ services. LAVNS Clinical Manager Susan Edwards noted that there are several home health care and hospice options available.Home Health Agencies: La Vida Bella Home Health & Hospice. Presbyterian Home Health. Hospice: Ambercare. Red Willow. Roadrunner Hospice. Del Corazon Hospice.

Jennings gala for Our Hospice raises $65k WCSI 1010/98.1, Columbus, IN; Press Release; 2/11/26 The 28th Annual Our Hospice Jennings County Gala last weekend raised $65,000 to support the organizations efforts in Jennings County. The gala is the Hospice’s largest annual Jennings County fundraiser. ... At Saturday’s event, [high-schoolers] Lillian Curry was named Gala Queen after raising $14,500, while Jake Birge was crowned Gala King, raising $3,700 in support of Our Hospice. Overall the king and queen’s court generated more than $33,000 in donations. More than 250 people attended the event, held at The Barn at Willow Lake in North Vernon.Editor's Note: Bravo to these high schoolers, and to Our Hospice for engaging them in an intergenerational, meaningful event for hospice goodwill and support. 

Oregon lawmakers consider tightening hospice oversight over fraud, abuse concerns The Lund Report; by Lynne Terry; 2/10/26For the second year in a row, Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill designed to tighten state oversight of the hospice industry, which has been rife with fraud and abuse. Senate Bill 1575 aims to block new hospices from Oregon that have committed fraud or neglected patients in other states. It would require the Oregon Health Authority to review the past history of companies seeking to operate new hospices, ensure they have enough financing to serve patients for about a year and run criminal background checks on the proposed administrator, medical director and any owners with more than a 5% stake in the company.Editor's Note: Dr. Cordt Kassner--owner/publisher of this newsletter and owner/data expert for Hospice Analytics, was interviewed for this article. His data provides insight on Oregon's hospice provider growth, for-profits and non-profits, and comparisons with nearby states.