[Updated] DOJ files proposed final judgment on Amedisys, UnitedHealth Merger 
Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 8/7/25 
On Thursday, Amedisys (Nasdaq: AMED) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorneys General of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and New York filed a proposed final judgment regarding the UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) planned acquisition of Amedisys. UnitedHealth and Amedisys agreed to the proposed final judgment, which, if approved, would resolve the DOJ’s and states’ opposition to the merger. The proposed judgment would require UnitedHealth and Amedisys to divest at least 164 home health and hospice facilities, including one affiliated palliative care facility, across 19 states, worth approximately $528 million in annual revenue. It would also impose a $1.1 million civil penalty on Amedisys for falsely certifying that it had provided “true, correct and complete” responses under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, according to a DOJ announcement. 

Flight of the Dove celebrates 20 years of riding with purpose 
Laurens County Buzz, Laurens County, SC; 8/6/25 
Not even the rain could dampen the spirit of this year’s Flight of the Dove, as 255 cyclists from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia took to the roads on Saturday, August 2, raising an impressive $52,415 for VIA Health Partners – Laurens County [South Carolina]. ...  Tom Atwood, Vice President of Philanthropy said, “The cause is worth every mile, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who braved the rain to make the 20th anniversary ride a success.” ... Riders were offered multiple route options—14, 30, 50, and 62 miles—as well as a 50-mile “challenge” course with added elevation. 

Enloe Health picks Butte Home Health and Hospice for post-hospital care in Chico 
Action News Now, Chico, CA; by Will Anderson; 8/6/25 
Enloe Health has announced a new partnership with Butte Home Health and Hospice to enhance care for patients moving from hospital to home. Officials say this change comes as Enloe Health plans to close its own Home Health and Hospice programs by Oct. 31, 2025. Butte Home Health and Hospice, based in Chico, will now be the preferred provider for skilled nursing, rehabilitative care, and hospice services for Enloe Health patients.

Hospice volunteers recognize local floral donors 
Uvalde Leader News, Uvalde, TX; 7/27/25 
Uvalde Memorial Hospital hospice volunteers recently recognized the Flower Patch and Uvalde H-E-B for their weekly donations of fresh flowers for hospice patients. Hospice volunteers deliver the gifts, valued at approximately $1,950 annually from each business, to patients, brightening their homes and hospital rooms while providing emotional comfort during difficult times.

Enhabit Home Health & Hospice announces CEO transition plan 
Business Wire, Dallas, TX; 8/6/25 
Enhabit, Inc. (NYSE: EHAB), a leading home health and hospice provider, today announced that Barb Jacobsmeyer, president and CEO, and a member of the board of directors, intends to step down from these roles in July 2026, or upon the appointment of a successor. The company has initiated a leadership succession plan with Jacobsmeyer’s full support to ensure a smooth transition. The board has retained Russell Reynolds Associates, a leading executive search firm, to assist in a comprehensive search process to identify the company’s next CEO.

Study: Most Medicare seniors with advanced cancer still do not receive palliative care 
McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 8/6/25 
A large national study of Medicare beneficiaries who died from advanced cancers found that although use of specialty palliative care has increased in recent years, most older adults still don’t receive this kind of care before death. The findings were published July 24, 2025, in JAMA Network Open and based on an analysis of 1.5 million Medicare fee-for-service enrollees who died between 2018 and 2023. In this study, researchers focused on palliative care delivered outside of hospice settings.

Lorazepam reduced restlessness, agitation in cancer patients with delirium: Patients were also less likely to require any rescue medications 
MedPage Today; by Mike Bassett; 8/5/25 
Use of lorazepam-based regimens reduced persistent restlessness and agitation associated with end-of-life delirium in cancer patients, a randomized study showed. [published online 7/31/25 in JAMA Oncology]

Attorney General Bonta launches public awareness campaign to protect Californians and prevent abuse within hospice care system – says, “Our message is simple: hospice care should be about compassion, not corruption” 
Sierra Sun Times, Oakland, CA; 8/6/25 
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at educating the public and providing vital reporting resources to individuals and families who may have been impacted by hospice fraud. This initiative includes a comprehensive suite of resources to empower individuals and families with the knowledge and support they need to protect themselves from hospice fraud. Its goal is to ensure that individuals and families understand their rights, recognize red flags in hospice care, and know where and how to report if they suspect fraudulent activity.
Publisher's note: We appreciate Sheila Clark, President / CEO of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA) calling this article to our attention.

CIOs’ top 16 emerging technologies 
Becker's Health IT; by Giles Bruce; 8/4/25 
Emerging technologies such as AI continue to command CIOs’ attention. Here is the emerging tech prioritized by IT chiefs, according to a global survey of more than 200 CIOs by market researcher Futurum published July 28:

1. AI/machine learning-enabled technology (subresponses): 86%
2. Cloud modernization: 36%
3. Applying AI-augmented systems to expedite customer/internal processes (e.g. expense reports, travel, returns): 29%
4. Modern cybersecurity: 27%
5. Using AI process automation and app generation: 25%
6. [Continue reading]

Long COVID and returning to work: A hard and frustrating road 
Medscape; by Sara Novak; 8/5/25 
... Around 16 million workers have been affected nationwide by long COVID. Many who initially contracted the virus as a result of their jobs are left with the additional burden of proving that they acquired the condition in the workplace. Without it, they may be unable to file a claim for workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job.

Social Media Watch 8/8/25

• Steve Landers, MD MPH, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance for Care at Home; posted "Enjoyed chance to discuss the future of hospice and palliative care with LMHPCO and Jamey Boudreaux in New Orleans — I was worried I’d have to get the crowd warmed up, but they had a wonderful brass band! That’s the way to kick things off!!"
• Jennifer Kennedy, EdD MA BSN RN CHC, Vice President, Quality, Standards, and Compliance, CHAP; posted "The LMHPCO conference was a success as usual. I thank Jamie Boudreaux and his staff for allowing me to participate in this annual event for the past 15 years."
• Diana Franchitto, President & CEO, HopeHealth; posted "It’s not every day you get to pause and reflect on the mission behind your work. I’m grateful to Rhode Island PBS for taking such care with our recent interview, and for highlighting the importance of serious illness care in our region." In it, Franchitto discusses her personal journey, the organization’s partnership with Brown University, caregiver and grief support services, and how HopeHealth is preparing for its 50th anniversary as a leader in compassionate end-of-life care.

Go slow and you'll get there fast. ~ Unknown