California hospice ownership changes from 2018-2020: A spatial analysis and case illustration

California hospice ownership changes from 2018-2020: A spatial analysis and case illustration
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Heather A. Davis, PhD, Christy Torkildson, PhD, RN, PHN, FPCN, HEC-C, Lisa C. Lindley, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN; 6/24
Hospices in California have undergone significant and complicated ownership changes in recent years. ... Our findings showed that ownership changes were significant and complicated. An influx of for-profit organizations into the California market was primarily responsible for these changes. Additionally, lack of corporate financial public disclosure and voluntary hospice accreditation, certification, and reporting result in a lack of free, publicly available, definitive comprehensive data on for-profit hospice ownership. This hinders information gathering on and provider/familial choice-making regarding hospices. Our study provides critical insight into the impact of ownership changes and lack of definitive, free, publicly available information on adult hospices in California caring for children and has important clinical, research, and policy implications.