Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Diversity / Equity / Inclusion News.”
Racial differences in shared decision-making about critical illness
02/28/24 at 03:00 AMRacial differences in shared decision-making about critical illnessJAMA Intern Med, by Deepshikha C. Ashana, MD, MBA, MS; Whitney Welsh, PhD; Doreet Preiss, PhD; et al; published online 2/26/24Question: How do critical care clinicians approach shared decision-making with Black compared with White caregivers of critically ill patients?Findings: In a thematic analysis of 39 audio-recorded clinician-caregiver meetings, racial differences were most evident in the following clinician behaviors: providing emotional support to caregivers, acknowledging trust and gratitude expressed by caregivers, disclosing medical information, and validating caregivers' treatment preferences.
Urgent need to address health equity at intersection of American Heart Month and Black History Month 2024
02/05/24 at 01:00 AMUrgent need to address health equity at intersection of American Heart Month and Black History Month 2024
Will we close the Medicare Advantage primary care gap in 2024?
01/10/24 at 04:00 AMWill we close the Medicare Advantage primary care gap in 2024?MedCity News, by Jim Bonnette; 1/8/24... Across all healthcare industry stakeholders, there is a pressing need to address this growing concern: MA members without primary care physicians (PCPs). This cohort, called the MA Primary Care Gap, may present the highest risk to health plans as MA becomes their fastest-growing segment . ... Furthermore, the MA Primary Care Gap is widening due to industry shortages of primary care providers and the rise of healthcare deserts in both rural areas and under-served urban areas. The absence of primary care physicians is particularly troublesome for Medicare Advantage patients with multiple chronic diseases and complex healthcare needs.
Racial and ethnic differences in hospice use among Medicaid-only and dual-eligible decedents
01/06/24 at 04:00 AMRacial and ethnic differences in hospice use among Medicaid-only and dual-eligible decedentsJAMA Health Forum, by Julie Robison, Noreen Shugrue, Ellis Dillon, Deborah Migneault, Doreek Charles, Dorothy Wakefield, Bradley Richards; 12/23Hospice care enhances quality of life for people with terminal illness and is most beneficial with longer length of stay (LOS). Most hospice research focuses on the Medicare-insured population. Little is known about hospice use for the racially and ethnically diverse, low-income Medicaid population.
Gentle endings: Lessons learned in a hospice for those without a home
01/05/24 at 04:00 AMGentle endings: Lessons learned in a hospice for those without a homeDeseretNews, by Eliza Anderson; 1/3/24 Jillian Olmsted was intrigued by a news story in 2015 about attempts to open a small residential hospice for the homeless in Salt Lake City, where she lives. The INN Between would offer a home for people who were unsheltered and dying so they could be fed and cared for, in beds and out of the cold. But she was also floored by the hue and cry of neighbors who didn’t want them around — even though they were terribly medically frail. Her dad was fighting cancer, and she had just helped care for her mom and stepfather, who died a month apart. Both “had insurance and a nice home and family to take care of them.” Why begrudge someone shelter, care and comfort in such dire circumstances?
Corporations award $20K in grants to make hospice care accessible in Texarkana area
01/03/24 at 04:00 AMCorporations award $20K in grants to make hospice care accessible in Texarkana areaTexarkana Gazette; 1/1/24A local nonprofit has received $20,000 in grants to make end-of-life care accessible. Tyson Foods, Weyerhaeuser and Union Pacific recently awarded the funding to Hospice of Texarkana's Diversity & Inclusive Care Project. The project is a comprehensive educational and awareness program to address demographic disparities in hospice and palliative care in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas. It includes staffing, training, and community outreach.
For underserved patients, Alzheimer’s care requires balance, respect, and cultural sensitivity
12/28/23 at 03:08 AMFor underserved patients, Alzheimer’s care requires balance, respect, and cultural sensitivityPittsburgh News December 20, 2023Dr. Jennifer Hagerty Lingler
Today's Encouragement: Kwanzaa ... important and timely
12/27/23 at 03:28 AM"I don't think there will ever be a time when the principles of Kwanzaa will not be important or timely. It's a great time for reflection and now more than ever our country needs to be reminded of unity." Kellie Carter JacksonHonoring Kwanzaa Celebrations: December 26, 2023 through January 1, 2024
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Seen in Use of Hospice
12/20/23 at 03:50 AMRacial and Ethnic Disparities Seen in Use of HospiceHealthDayDecember 18, 2023Racial and ethnic disparities are seen in use of hospice among Medicaid recipients, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in JAMA Health Forum. Julie Robison, Ph.D., from the UConn Health Center on Aging in Farmington, and colleagues compared hospice use and hospice length of stay (LOS) by race and ethnicity among Medicaid-only individuals and those with dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid (duals).
Study uncovers racial, geographic disparities in LTSS access
12/20/23 at 03:30 AMStudy uncovers racial, geographic disparities in LTSS accessMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 19, 2023Disparities in access to long-term services and supports (LTSS) create greater financial and health-related challenges for people of color, according to new research by healthcare research firm ATI Advisory. Using data from a University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, the ATI study sampled 6,232 people aged 55 years old and living in home- or community-based settings.
Top 5 ‘Hidden Gem’ Palliative Care News Stories from 2023
12/20/23 at 03:00 AMTop 5 ‘Hidden Gem’ Palliative Care News Stories from 2023Palliative Care NewsDecember 18, 2023Reimbursement and regulation reigned in the news this year, but other important trends garnered attention as well. Below are top five under-the-radar stories that, while important, didn’t make our most read this year. The topics range from unmet staff and patient needs, financial and operational headwinds and research fueling innovative care delivery approaches.
Washington, D.C., Needs to Address Hospice Care Utilization Disparities
12/15/23 at 03:08 AMWashington, D.C., Needs to Address Hospice Care Utilization DisparitiesBy Donna Gayles and Audrey EasawWashington (DC) InformerDecember 13, 2023Our nation’s capital ranks high in many things, from access to outdoor activities and number of museums to its ethnic and cultural diversity and vibrant LGBTQ+ population. But the city lags far behind in one key area: hospice care utilization. While on average, just under half of Medicare decedents are in hospice care at their time of death, in the District of Columbia, only 25% are—ranking lower than 49 of the 50 states. This is especially meaningful when considering how medical mistrust plays into this underutilization among the city’s extremely diverse population.
WelbeHealth Opens First Bay Area PACE Center Serving Vulnerable Seniors in San Jose
12/14/23 at 03:35 AMWelbeHealth Opens First Bay Area PACE Center Serving Vulnerable Seniors in San JosePRNewswireDecember 12, 2023San Jose, CA—Today, the physician-led senior health services provider WelbeHealth, in partnership with Northern California-based health care system Sutter Health, announced the opening of a new Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center in San Jose. The new center will provide essential health care and wrap-around services to diverse low-income older adults. ... Over 4,000 PACE eligible seniors reside within 15 miles of the San Jose location, and the population of these seniors is anticipated to increase.
Palliative Care Yield Cost Savings Lymphoma Patients, But Racial Disparities Exist
12/14/23 at 03:26 AMPalliative Care Yield Cost Savings Lymphoma Patients, But Racial Disparities ExistPalliative Care NewsDecember 12, 2023Lymphoma patients who receive palliative care have fewer hospitalizations that those who do not, but racial and ethnic disparities persist. ... The study found that on average palliative care generated cost savings of $24,269 per patient. However, patients that identified as Black or Hispanic were much less likely to receive palliative care than white patients, reflecting widespread inequities in palliative care and the health care system at large, the research found.
Study uncovers racial inequalities in hospice utilization, length of stay
12/13/23 at 03:38 AMStudy uncovers racial inequalities in hospice utilization, length of stayMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 12, 2023Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to use hospice services, and those who do often have shorter lengths of stay than white patients, according to a new study published in JAMA Health Forum. ... Minority patients also generally experienced shorter hospice lengths of stay. Hispanic patients in particular were more than twice as likely to stay in hospice care for seven days or less, compared to the average white Medicaid beneficiary. Still, short length of stay was relatively common across the board at about 40%, which suggests “room for improvement in referring all Medicaid recipients to hospice earlier in the course of terminal illness,” the study’s authors wrote. As to possible reasons for these disparities, the researchers noted that language barriers, mistrust of hospice programs or cultural differences might be at play. But also, the inequity might also reflect “potential racial biases that affect who a physician is more likely to refer to hospice,” according to the study. Specific, targeted efforts to encourage hospice services for Medicaid and dual-eligible beneficiaries who show low rates of utilization may help to overcome these disparities.
Disability activists also oppose aid in dying
12/12/23 at 03:01 AMDisability activists also oppose aid in dyingBy Susie MosherDaily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA)December 9, 2023... For the aged or those with degenerative or chronic diseases, many people in the final stages of life are suddenly, newly disabled without having lived a life managing a disability. Inadequate resources, the lack of emotional support, the physical challenges, the stresses on relatives and caregivers—all are overwhelming. ... We know that, despite good intentions, the state of Massachusetts already has many agencies, policies and programs that are underfunded, not carefully monitored, poorly managed, and understaffed. People with mental illnesses, disabilities, without power, and without a voice are not well served. People with disabilities know how the health care system and our government fails them as they struggle daily to advocate for themselves. Legislators and news outlets would do well to listen to people who face existential challenges day to day. The disability community is advocating for palliative services, not lethal doses. They have experienced the terrifying slippery slope of “quality of life” assessments by professionals. Their testimony advocates for education and support for caregivers, not assisted suicide.
Study—Black Patients Less Likely Receive A Home Health Referral Following A Hospital Stint
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMStudy—Black Patients Less Likely Receive A Home Health Referral Following A Hospital StintHome Health Care NewsDecember 8, 2023Home health services are a vital component of care continuity. But nurses are less likely to give Black patients, compared to white patients, home health referrals when being discharged from a hospital stay, a new University of Michigan study found. Specifically, researchers found that roughly 22% of Black patients were receiving home health referrals by discharge nurses, compared to 27% of white patients.
How Health Equity Payment Models Are Impacting Hospice Staff Diversity
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMHow Health Equity Payment Models Are Impacting Hospice Staff DiversityHospice NewsDecember 8, 2023Recent health equity initiatives in hospice reimbursement may reverberate impacts into providers’ staff recruitment and retention strategies, particularly when it comes to leadership roles. ... While equity-focused reimbursement channels like ACO REACH hold promise in helping to reduce disparities, unknowns exist around how providers should shape their care delivery approaches and where to pour operational and financial resources, according to Hospice of Acadiana CEO Keith Everett. ... A key for hospices to understand about health equity payment programs is that strategies to improve disparities can come in a variety of ways, which can be both a challenge and opportunity for providers, Everett said. ... One area of focus is to grow a more diverse employee base—not just in terms of interdisciplinary staff who interact with patients and families, but also among leadership teams, according to André Lee, co-founder and administrator of Heart ‘n Soul Hospice. ... Community collaborations are key to knowing where to search for hospice professionals from diverse backgrounds, according to Agrace Hospice & Supportive Care CEO Lynne Sexten.
UnitedHealth hit with Medicare Advantage marketing complaint
12/09/23 at 04:00 AMUnitedHealth hit with Medicare Advantage marketing complaintModern HealthcareDecember 7, 2023Advocates for people with disabilities are calling on regulators [to] halt what they describe as misleading Medicare Advantage marketing by UnitedHealth Group. The Center for Medicare Advocacy, National Health Law Program, Disability Rights Connecticut and National Disability Rights Network wrote the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Federal Trade Commission and other state and federal officials Thursday to protest UnitedHealthcare advertisements for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans appearing in Connecticut. The ads target people with both Medicare and Medicaid and spotlight extra benefits from Medicare Advantage plans that state and federal laws already require, the groups wrote. “Unquestionably, this misleading advertising is intended to induce, and has induced, thousands if not tens of thousands of older adults and disabled low-income individuals we are charged with representing to sign up for UnitedHealthcare’s plan, having been led to believe this means they can get extra benefits,” the letter says. UnitedHealth Group did not immediately respond to an interview request.
NJ extends Medicaid palliative care for poor and elderly
12/09/23 at 04:00 AMNJ extends Medicaid palliative care for poor and elderlyNJ Spotlight NewsDecember 7, 2023New Jersey plans to expand health insurance coverage so that low-income residents with a serious advanced illness can get pain relief and other palliative care at home, regardless of their prognosis, or if they live independently, in a nursing home or assisted living. The state Assembly is expected to take a final vote Thursday on bipartisan legislation that adds community-based palliative care—including specialized medical treatment, emotional and spiritual support and other services to improve patients’ quality of life—to the list of benefits Medicaid will pay for in New Jersey.
Care Advantage Acquires Nova Home Health Care, Delivers On 18th Acquisition Since 2018
12/08/23 at 03:23 AMCare Advantage Acquires Nova Home Health Care, Delivers On 18th Acquisition Since 2018Home Health Care NewsDecember 6, 2023Care Advantage announced Tuesday that it has acquired Nova Home Health Care. The acquisition expands Care Advantage’s Northern Virginia footprint—a market that CEO Tim Hanold believes is an important one for current and future growth. ... Hanold told Home Health Care News, “... Northern Virginia is part of the Metropolitan D.C. area, and is a very diverse market. We want to make sure that we’re approaching that in a smart and culturally sensitive way.” Richmond, Virginia-based Care Advantage is a home-based care company that has more than 45 locations throughout Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina. The company offers both personal care and home health care services. On its end, Nova Home Health Care is a personal care company that serves the Medicaid population. The company has ties to a number of different communities that make up the diverse population in the area. “They have real deep market penetration with the Vietnamese community, as well as the Hispanic and African American communities,” Hanold said.
NY latest to adopt LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights for long-term care residents
12/05/23 at 04:00 AMNY latest to adopt LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights for long-term care residentsMcKnight’s Senior LivingDecember 4, 2023New York has become the latest state to adopt legislation establishing a bill of rights for LGBTQ+ residents in other long-term care facilities. S 1783A / A 372 prohibits assisted living communities and other long-term care facilities and their staffs from discriminating against residents on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status.