Literature Review

Proposing a framework to license autonomous clinical AI: as autonomous clinical AI continues to evolve, we need uniform regulatory standards, says LDI Fellow Penn LDI - Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics; by Alon Bergman, PhD; 5/15/26 Late last month, Utah’s Medical Licensing Board called for the immediate suspension of the state’s pilot program with the AI company Doctronic. The program lets a chatbot evaluate patients and recommend prescription renewals for nearly 200 chronic condition drugs, with the state planning to phase out physician review of each case. The board said that it only learned about the pilot after it had launched. Its warning was blunt: proceeding without proper clinical oversight “potentially places Utah citizens at risk.” ... Utah is one of at least 47 states now considering more than 250 bills governing clinical AI, producing a patchwork of rules on bias audits, payment policy, and patient consent.Editor's Note: See related article by the same author Alon Bergman, AI doctors should be licensed. Here’s a framework to do that: Utah's pilot program with Doctronic shows that federal action is necessary. 

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. 

Big Bend Hospice launches Nutrition Shake Drive to support Jefferson County Patients WTXL-27 ABC, Tallahassee, FL; by Crystal Whitman; 5/8/26 Big Bend Hospice in Jefferson County is calling on the community to help provide vital nutrition for local hospice patients through a month-long Nutrition Shake Drive. For many in hospice care, eating full meals can be difficult or impossible. Meal replacements like Ensure, Boost, and Glucerna offer comfort and essential nutrients, but they are often not covered by health insurance, leaving families — especially in rural areas — to shoulder the cost themselves.

Hospice of Davidson County honors impact of volunteers The Dispatch; by Staff; 5/5/26 On April 30, Hospice of Davidson County held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of the individuals who serve as the heart of the agency.  ... In 2025, volunteers provided 2,599 hours of direct support, a 76% increase over the previous year. Through the Hearts for Hospice initiative, volunteers assembled and delivered more than 300 Valentine's Day care packages to patients at Hospice of Davidson County's Hinkle Hospice House, ... as well as to local skilled nursing facilities and home care settings.  ... "Our volunteers do not just give their time; they give their hearts," said HDOC Volunteer Services Manager Elizabeth Mitchell.Editor's Note: This kind of data speaks well to your Board of Directors, donors, and other stakeholders. Additionally, multiply the hours of your direct support by the National Volunteer Wage Rage, currently estimated at $36/hour, with state specific data going back to 2001.

What a new hospice center means for Cleveland – beyond health care: Bill Finn Cleveland.com, Cleveland, OH; by Bill Finn, President and CEO of Reserve Care (formerly Hospice of the Western Reserve); 5/3/26 Cleveland is no stranger to reinvention. We are a city shaped by resilience, by industry and by a deep commitment to one another. That spirit is what makes this moment so meaningful as Reserve Care opens a new lakefront care center, designed not only for patients and families, but for our entire community. ... Set along Lake Erie, the space was intentionally designed to feel different from a hospital. ... Every detail, from the views of the water to the quiet areas for conversation, supports a single goal: to ease stress and create a sense of peace. But the impact goes beyond the walls of the building. ...

U.S. hospice market size to reach $45.3 billion by 2033 Grand View Research; April 2026 The U.S. hospice market size is estimated to reach USD 45.3 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2026 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. 

AI Innovation Series 2026: Executive views on the future of AI in hospice care Hospice News; by eecker2025; 4/27/26 This series of articles is sponsored by MatrixCare. Featured leaders include the following:

Hospice fraud enforcement in America: A running record of every publicy announced federal and state criminal action against hospice fraud between April 2025 and April 2026 LundPerson and Associates; by Judi Lund Person; updated 4/15/26 The facts, data, players, and more, with ongoing updates by Judi Lund Person, hospice regulatory expert.

Strafford County, Mass General Brigham in talks to reopen Hyder Hospice Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, NH; by Karen Dandurant; 5/17/26 A deal has been reached that would save Hyder Family Hospice House, according to Strafford County Commission Chairman George Maglaras. The county closed the hospice earlier this month, citing financial difficulties. Maglaras said April 17 that a $1-a-year lease agreement has been reached with Wentworth-Douglass Hospital of Dover, which is owned by Mass General Brigham, with only details to be worked out before it becomes official.

Petaluma’s Sacks Hospice Thrift Shoppe to close in May The Ramsey Show, Petaluma, CA; by Jeff Woodworth; 4/17/26 The beloved Sacks Hospice Thrift Shoppe in Petaluma will permanently close its doors by May 15 after nearly 40 years of service. The Petaluma Argus-Courier reports store operator Providence Hospice Foundation cited the need for “significant capital improvements” and safety upgrades to the leased Liberty Street building as the reason for the shutdown. While liquidation proceeds will continue to fund local grief support, the news has sparked community heartbreak and an online petition with over 1,300 signatures. Volunteers call the shop a “critical resource” for both hospice families and eco-conscious shoppers. 

Google.org and Johnson & Johnson Foundation launch $10 million AI training program for rural U.S. healthcare workers Complete AI Training; Press Release; 4/14/26 Google.org and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation are launching a $10 million program to train rural U.S. healthcare workers to use AI tools for administrative tasks. The initiative targets operational efficiency in clinics facing chronic staffing shortages and administrative overload. ... According to the National Rural Health Association, over 130 rural hospitals have shut down since 2010, with administrative burden cited as a major factor. The new program addresses this directly by teaching healthcare workers to use AI for scheduling, patient documentation, and clinic operations. 

Accreditation: moving forward during the moratorium HME News - Business News for Home Medical Equipment Providers; by Sandra Canally; 4/13/26 ... Hospice contracts: Hospice providers are required to contract only with accredited DMEPOS suppliers to equip terminally ill patients whether at the hospice facility, in a nursing home or at home. The supply opportunities closely mirror those in skilled nursing, with enteral nutrition, mobility aids and respiratory equipment all in demand. Hospice covers 100% of DME costs related to the terminal illness. [To DME companies:] Invoice the hospice organization directly, and they pay you. Medicare stays out of the transaction entirely.