Literature Review

Palliative 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. 

Disability 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.

How 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 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.

NY 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.