AAHPM CMO Joe Rotella: Hospice does not exist to save money

AAHPM CMO Joe Rotella: Hospice does not exist to save money 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/17/24
Dr. Joe Rotella, chief medical officer of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), calls on hospices to maintain their core principles amid a churning sea of regulatory and economic changes. Rotella began his medical career as a primary care physician in a small, rural town in central New Hampshire, where he stayed for 12 years [followed by serving Hospice & Palliative Care of Louisville, KY/Hosparus as Chief Medical director for 15 years]. ... Now, Rotella will soon retire from AAHPM. Hospice News sat down with Rotella to discuss the ways hospice and palliative care have changed during his tenure in the space, as well as the forces shaping the field’s future. ... 

• What are some of the ways that you’ve seen the field change during your tenure in hospice and palliative care? ...
• "What I worry about sometimes is that the founding principles that were based on humanizing this care for the whole person can get lost in the details of who’s paying me to do what, or what regulations let me provide or not provide. ... We’re not here to save the system money. We’re not here to generate an exhaustive list of regulations and policies. We’re here to treat people."

Editor's Note: Click on the title's link to read their discussion about accomplishments, the future of hospice care, and the next generation of leaders. Read this insightful article and be inspired as we face today's challenges and strategize "humanizing care for the whole person" for the future. We thank Dr. Joe Rotella for his hospice and palliative leadership. I was privileged to know, learn from, and work with "Dr. Joe" at Hospice & Palliative Care of Louisville [KY] / Hosparus.  Dr. Joe Rotella lives what he says. He gives care from a compassionate heart and wise mind.