8 arrested in health care fraud takedown, including owners of hospices that billed taxpayers millions of dollars to serve the ‘dying’
United States Attorney's Office - Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA; Press Release; 4/2/26
More Than $50 Million in Intended Health Care Fraud Losses Charged
In coordination with the Vice President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, eight defendants, including three nurses, a chiropractor, and a purported psychologist, have been arrested on federal charges that they schemed to defraud the nation’s health care system out of more than $50 million – including by running sham hospice care facilities that bilked Medicare by using people without terminal illnesses as beneficiaries, the Justice Department announced today.
Editor's Note: As coverage escalates—often with sensational framing—we are anchoring in the official U.S. Attorney’s press release. The allegations are serious and demand accountability, but do not reflect the broader hospice field. This is a moment for leaders to reinforce clear, disciplined narratives that distinguish fraud from the mission-driven care centered on dignity and what matters most.

Hospice groups: 2.4% proposed pay raise threatens care delivery 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/3/26 
Two of the nation’s largest hospice trade organizations decried a proposed 2.4% hospice base rate increase as inadequate in today’s financial climate. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday issued its proposed payment rule for hospices in 2027 containing a 2.4% payment increase. If finalized, this would result in a $785 million payment boost from Fiscal Year 2026. The amount of the proposed pay raise puts the sustainability of hospice care in jeopardy, according to Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy at LeadingAge.

National Alliance for Care at Home Responds to the FY 2027 Hospice Proposed Rule 
National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 4/2/26  
While a 2.4% payment increase is a step in the right direction, more must be done to ensure that high-quality providers have the resources they need to operate in this demanding environment. The Alliance also appreciates the increased oversight and transparency proposals, but calls on CMS to carefully implement these measures to avoid unintended consequences for patients and providers. 

Agrace expands to serve southeastern Wisconsin 
PR Newswire, Milwaukee, WI; by Agrace; 4/2/26 
Agrace, the largest Wisconsin-based nonprofit hospice, has expanded to serve the entire southern half of Wisconsin with the addition of Ozaukee, Washington, Racine and Kenosha counties to its Milwaukee service region. ... Southeastern Wisconsin Agrace patients are served through its regional office in Wauwatosa by a care team that includes a local hospice physician, nurses, CNAs, volunteers and a spiritual & grief counselor.

Hyder Family Hospice House to close. Strafford County leader: 'We're broke' 
Seacoastonline, Dover, NH; by Karen Dandurant; 4/2/26 
Hyder Family Hospice House will close within a few weeks, Strafford County officials announced April 2, stating the decision reflects dire county finances. "We are not happy about it, but we are out of options," said County Commission Chair George Maglaras. "... We will try to find a way, maybe by renovating a wing at Riverside (Rest Home) that was closed during COVID, to find room for the few patients we currently have. This is very personal to me. We fought hard to keep this on county land. Closing this goes against every fiber of my being."

Private equity, AI, and the future of end-of-life care | part two 
Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/3/26 
From the growing influence of private equity to the urgent need for systemic reform, this conversation explores the tension between financial performance and mission-driven care.  The discussion highlights a critical question: can healthcare balance economic sustainability while preserving dignity, compassion, and patient-centered outcomes? The episode also examines real-world policy shifts and emerging data—from Medicare payment reform signals to increased regulatory scrutiny aimed at eliminating fraud and protecting vulnerable populations.  ... Ultimately, this episode returns to the heart of Hospice: humanity. 

‘Startling’: Palliative care services often not provided for severe brain metastases 
Healio; by Josh Friedman; 3/3/26 
Half of patients with the most severe brain metastases may not be receiving palliative care consultations. Those who do have a significantly higher likelihood of filling out advance directive documentation and getting hospice care, and they have similar OS as those who did not receive consultations. ... “We have to rephrase the word fighting,” [Rohit Singh, MD, medical oncologist and assistant profess at University of Vermont] said. “I tell my patients, you’re not giving up fighting [getting palliative care]. You’re fighting for what’s better for you. You’re fighting for your quality of life. That’s you making it better. You’re not giving up anything. You are making sure whatever time we have aligns with your goals.”
Editor's Note: Powerful communication from Dr. Singh. Reframing “fighting” can serve as a catalyst for alignment—across patients, families, and care teams. Palliative care isn’t surrender; it’s a deliberate choice to prioritize what matters most.

Moral distress and occupational burnout in US physicians 
JAMA Network; by Michael A. Tutty, PhD, MHA, Colin P. West, MD, PhD, Liselotte N. Dyrbye, MD, MHPE, Hanhan Wang, MPS, Lindsey E. Carlasare, MBA, Christine A. Sinsky, MD, Mickey Trockel, MD, PhD, Tait D. Shanafelt, MD; 3/24/26 
Question: What is the level of moral distress and the association between burnout, intent to leave (ITL), and intent to reduce work hours (ITR) among physicians and US workers?
Conclusion and Relevance:  In this survey study, moral distress was common among physicians and experienced at higher rates than the general US working population. Understanding the differences between moral distress and burnout may allow organizations to more effectively implement interventions to address both concerns among clinicians. 

Rediscovering joy: Why creativity matters in grief support 
Hospice of the Chesapeake, Pasadena, MD; by Elyzabeth Marcussen; 4/1/26 
Imagine meeting up with like-minded people for an afternoon of mocktails, cocktails and snacks. That would be considered a happy hour, right? Then imagine that the common thread for this group is that they are all people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Would you still call that a happy hour? Chesapeake Life Center Manager Alena Dailey said yes. Well, sort of. “We’re calling it ‘Hope After Hours.’” A large part of healing after loss is learning how to fit into your community again. You’re not the same person you were when your loved one was in your life. Sometimes, people feel guilty about having fun again or unsure how to reconnect. At Chesapeake Life Center, that understanding is shaping creative grief support programs designed to give people a judgment-free space to let loose and have fun. The hope is that they can begin to rediscover joy and carry it into everyday life.

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) — April 16 
The Conversation Project - Institute for Healthcare Improvement; retrieved from the internet 4/3/26
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.

• Make your advance care plan
• Join the movement
• Spread the word: Resources for getting started
• Download free Conversation Guides

Editor's Note: NHDD has long been marked by hospice and palliative care organizations through community outreach—offering education, Q&A, and support for completing and notarizing Advance Directives. Yet, the simpler starting point is within. Start with your leadership team. How many have completed, communicated, and filed their directives? Learn from hesitations. Remove barriers (access to forms, notarization). Aim for full readiness—while absolutely respecting privacy and different choices. If you’ve reached 100%, share it. Then extend this opportunity across employees, volunteers, and the communities you serve.

ClearPath Healthcare launches in-home primary care service across Central Oregon 
Cascade Business News (CBN); by CBN; 4/2/26 
ClearPath Healthcare, a nonprofit and hospice leader in Central Oregon for more than 40 years, has launched its new In-Home Primary Care service. This program was launched to help Central Oregonians who find it difficult to physically get in to see their primary care doctor. ClearPath Healthcare’s aim is to bring quality, unhurried care right to patients’ doors. This launch is an important step for ClearPath Healthcare, which changed its name from Hospice of Redmond in December 2025. The new name reflects the organization’s expanded services, including a wider range of care, from primary care to end-of-life support.

The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. ~ Phil Jackson, former American basketball player and coach
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