Literature Review

Hospices worry patients will be unfairly punished amid fraud crisis The Washington Post | KFF Health News; bu Laurie Udesky; 7/26/26 Health policy researchers and hospice administrators worry that the negative attention on the industry and potential for overly punitive regulations could put California patients and taxpayers on the losing end. “The fraud situation has done a lot of damage to the reputation of hospices overall and undone a lot of the progress that had been made in destigmatizing hospice,” said Lauren Hunt, an associate professor at the University of California at San Francisco’s Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies who focuses on hospice care. “Policymakers should pursue targeted strategies that root out fraud and abuse without overburdening the many providers who are doing the right thing.”

[Global] Following WHO Global Cancer Report, international nursing and palliative care leaders call for urgent workforce investment for rising cancer needs World Health Organization (WHO) and Internationalouncil of Nurses (ICN); Joint Statement on World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Cancer 2026; 7/24/26Based on the evidence in WHO’s recent Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, the International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) urge leaders to invest in and protect the nursing and health workforce to urgently strengthen health systems and improve cancer outcomes across the full continuum of care. ICN, ISNCC, ICPCN welcome the report’s clear message that the future of cancer care will not be secured through medicines and technology alone, but through the health workforces that are the backbone of care. We affirm that meeting the world’s most urgent cancer challenges depends on investing in nurses and multidisciplinary teams; addressing workforce shortages and burnout; and moving away from medicalized models towards people-centered, equitable health care across prevention, treatment, survivorship, rehabilitation and palliative services.

Public Policy Agenda & Toolkit National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care; Press Release; 5/4/26 The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care’s Public Policy Agenda outlines a unified, consensus-driven set of priorities to strengthen palliative care and hospice for patients, families, and caregivers across the lifespan. Developed through collaboration among national member organizations, the agenda provides a coordinated framework to guide policy and advocacy efforts at both the national and state levels. It reflects shared priorities to improve access, advance quality and equity, support the workforce, and promote sustainable, value-based care.

'Jeopardy!' champion Courtney Shah dead at 52 after brain cancer battle US Weekly; by Danielle Campoamaor; 7/26/26 Beloved seven-time Jeopardy! champion Dr. Courtney Shah has died. She was 52. "My mom died today, at 4:57am on July 22, 2026, in the comfort of her home," Shah's daughter, Maya Shah, wrote via CaringBridge, announcing her mother's death after battling brain cancer. "I don't know what you believe about death, but I like to think that she's at peace now. We loved her in this world, and we loved her out of this world, and we'll go on loving her." ... In her final [Caring Bridge] update prior to announcing her mother's death, Maya described what her new reality was like as she watched her mother receive hospice care.

Hospice care helps patients stay connected to themselves  Portland Press Herald; by Carol Weir; 7/27/26We must look past the fraud and incompetence of a few bad actors and recognize the vital role played by trusted, dedicated hospice providers. [Story about caring for 14-year-old boy Jacob] I share this story because I feel strongly that hospice care in America has been dealt a rough hand recently. Outlier examples of fraud and abuse in the news overshadow the exceptional, professional, compassionate and personalized care hospice programs provide day in and day out. Without a doubt, bad actors should be eradicated from the Medicare program, and government oversight reforms are needed ... No legitimate or credible providers dispute that. But we must not lose sight of the quality care patients like Jacob are receiving from skilled, reliable, warm, nurturing and empathetic hospice teams in every corner of our country.

Suicide Survivors Support Group offered by Home Hospice of Grayson CountyNorth Texas e-News, Sherman, TX; by Nancy Jackson; 7/27/26 Home Hospice of Grayson County is pleased to announce the start of a new “Suicide Survivors Grief and Loss” Support Group ... “Experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one to suicide can be especially difficult” said Nancy Jackson, Group Leader. “However, it can become overwhelming in the weeks and months after the loss. People are often surprised how much it impacts them emotionally, mentally and physically. There is no magic pill or quick fix for your grief, but sharing your journey with others who have experienced a loss, can make it easier."

Clinicians are using AI without guidance. What are the risks?HealthcareBrew; by Maia Anderson; 7/21/26Unregulated AI use could leave healthcare institutions vulnerable to HIPAA violations, cyberattacks, experts say. There’s no longer a question of when AI will become a regular part of working as a clinician—it already is. A survey from healthcare AI platform Heidi Health found that 86% of clinicians surveyed use the technology daily or on a regular basis, often for administrative tasks like charting. However, more than 4 in 5 (83%) reported doing so without guidance from their employers. This could be leaving clinics, health systems, and other healthcare institutions vulnerable to HIPAA violations and cyberattacks, experts told Healthcare Brew.

Private equity’s joint venture takeover of nonprofit healthcare Private Equity Stakeholder Project; Report; 7/6/26 Behind nonprofit partnerships, private equity firms are building a growing footprint across hospitals, hospice, rehabilitation, and outpatient care. Over the past decade, private equity has dramatically expanded its presence across the healthcare system. While much of the public attention has focused on traditional acquisitions of hospitals, physician practices, nursing homes, and other providers, private equity firms are increasingly pursuing another strategy: joint ventures with nonprofit health systems. PESP’s new report examines how these partnerships have become an increasingly important avenue for private equity-backed healthcare companies to expand across hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, hospice, home health, behavioral health, and other sectors.

Hospice of Wichita Falls awarded grant for upcoming childhood grief awareness event KAUZ-6 CBS, Wichita Fall, TX; by Spencer R. Smith; 7/24/26 Hospice of Wichita Falls announced that they have been awarded a 2026 Grief Reach Grant. As part of the grant, Hospice of Wichita Falls will host Growing Through Grief: Advancing Compassionate Care for Grieving Children, a free professional symposium ... The grant was given to increase awareness of childhood grief and strengthen community support for grieving children and their families, and was funded by the New York Life Foundation and managed by the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. 

Navigating AI & change management: the evolving landscape of leadership in the age of continuous disruption Recruit-Talent.com | Leadership & Management; 7/24/26|... The Dawn of AI Change Leadership: Redefining Transformation AI change leadership is defined as the practice of facilitating the adaptation of individuals, teams, and entire organizations to the relentless pace of AI-driven transformation. Unlike traditional change management, which typically focuses on discrete initiatives with defined endpoints, AI change leadership grapples with ongoing technological disruption, the dynamic evolution of workforce skills, the complex interplay of human-AI collaboration, and escalating concerns surrounding trust and ethical implications. For decades, leadership research has underscored a fundamental tension inherent in successful change: the coexistence of stability and change. ... However, AI change leadership fundamentally disrupts this established paradigm. 

Pierce County woman says scammers stole $117K as husband enters hospice care Fox 13, Seattle, WA; by David Rose; 7/23/26 A Pierce County woman says she lost about $117,000 to an elaborate phone scam while caring for her husband in hospice, leaving her uncertain how she will pay her bills after the man she has cared for through years of declining health dies. Charlotte Tripp said the scam unfolded at what she describes as the worst possible time in her life. Her husband of 17 years, who has dementia, recently entered hospice care after suffering a rapid decline following hip surgery and a urinary tract infection. ... "Basically, he can go any day now," Tripp said. "I'm trying to concentrate more on my husband to give him the time he needs." Instead, she said she has spent hours dealing with banks, law enforcement and mounting financial problems after scammers convinced her to drain her accounts.

National Alliance for Care at Home welcomes Denis Fleming Jr. as Chief Government Affairs Officer  National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 7/23/26 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today announced longtime industry leader Denis Fleming Jr. will serve as Chief Government Affairs Officer effective August 10. Fleming is a distinguished government affairs leader bringing over two decades of experience spanning key leadership roles in Congress, with state executive bodies, and major home health and hospice companies. Most recently, Fleming served as Vice President of Federal Government Affairs with United Health Group after serving 8 years as Senior Vice President & Legislative Counsel, State and Federal Affairs at LHC Group, where he led federal and state advocacy for this national home health and hospice provider.