Literature Review
Opinion: How death can be the chance to serve others
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMOpinion: How death can be the chance to serve others WAtoday, by Annie Whitlock; 3/3/24 I see my death as an opportunity to serve others ... . A few years ago, I offered my corpse to the department of anatomy and physiology at the University of Melbourne. The university co-ordinates a body donor program for the purposes of anatomical examination and the precious teaching and study of anatomy to its medical students. ... To the medical students who will be learning from my body I gave the department the following letter: I give you my body. ... Learn from me this one last time. So my organs, flesh and scars tell of times and outcomes that in death I cannot utter any more. ...
Premier Hospice Phoenix exits Medicare program, impacting local healthcare
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMPremier Hospice Phoenix exits Medicare program, impacting local healthcareBNN, by Mazhar Abbas; 3/4/24Premier Hospice in Phoenix ends its Medicare agreement, sparking concerns among patients and providers. Explore the impact and future of hospice care.
Could Kansas adopt medical cannabis pilot program? Legislation in the works
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMCould Kansas adopt medical cannabis pilot program? Legislation in the works Kansas News, by Rebekah Chung; 3/1/24Medical marijuana advocates are crafting proposals for this session. Nexstar’s Kansas Capitol Bureau confirmed that a medical cannabis pilot program proposal is in the works. The future of marijuana reform lies in the Kansas Senate’s hands, as the House awaits action.
Contract CNA staffing associated with worse care quality outcomes: study
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMContract CNA staffing associated with worse care quality outcomes: study McKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 3/1/24Nursing homes that use contract staffing to fill certified nursing assistant position vacancies are more likely to experience worse care quality than those that do not, according to the results of a study by PHI. The proportion of total CNA hours filled by contract CNAs in SNFs increased from 2% in 2017 to 11% in 2022, the study found.
Colorado’s medical aid-in-dying residency requirement won’t be lifted
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMColorado’s medical aid-in-dying residency requirement won’t be lifted The Colorado Sun, by Jesse Paul; 3/1/24 Out-of-state residents will continue to be prohibited from receiving medical aid in dying in Colorado after a bill aimed at loosening the regulations for terminally ill people seeking to end their lives was pared back Thursday evening. Senate Bill 68 was also changed to shrink the waiting period for people seeking medical aid in dying to seven days from 15, with the possibility to eliminate the waiting period for people who may not have 48 hours to live.
Change Healthcare's temporary funding program 'not even a Band-Aid,' AHA says
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMChange Healthcare's temporary funding program 'not even a Band-Aid,' AHA says Becker's Health IT, by Giles Bruce; 3/4/24 The American Hospital Association called Change Healthcare's temporary funding program for providers affected by the cyberattack on the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary inadequate, while a U.S. Senate leader asked CMS to speed up payments to hospitals. Change Healthcare set up the funding assistance March 1 for providers facing cash-flow issues after losing access to its payer systems, which have been down since the Feb. 21 ransomware attack. However, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack wrote in a March 4 letter to UnitedHealth Group that the program is "not even a Band-Aid on the payment problems you identify."
What is the appropriate response when a colleague is not following an aid-in-dying law?
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMWhat is the appropriate response when a colleague is not following an aid-in-dying law? American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying - Ethics Consultation Service; posted by Jean Abbott, MD, MH; originally posted 2/2/24 and emailed 3/4/24 Outline of Ethics Question: A resource practitioner for aid-in-dying care has encountered practitioners who have not followed the requirements of the laws in that state, including eligibility, documentation, and other standard legal or medical elements of aid-in-dying care. The resource practitioner wonders what ethical responsibilities should guide their response to these concerns. Definition of “resource practitioner”: An experienced prescriber who acts as a source of information or a mentor for others prescribing or consulting for patients considering aid in dying. Their role is to advise the provider on aid-in-dying best medical practices and the process required to comply with the law.
Palliative care gets spotlight in assisted dying report
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care gets spotlight in assisted dying report Nursing Times, by Edd Church; 3/1/24A debate around assisted dying has brought hospices into the spotlight, as a new report on the matter has been published.
Today's Encouragement: "It was one of those March days when ..."
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMIt was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Pharmacy associations join forces to advocate for pharmacists during change healthcare outage
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMPharmacy associations join forces to advocate for pharmacists during change healthcare outageNewswire Press Release; 3/3/24 Association executives from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) released an open letter to pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) executives and other insurance payers whose systems may have been impacted by the Change Healthcare outage. Pharmacists and pharmacies are asking for assurances that claims fulfilled during this outage will be paid, and paid in a timely manner, considering the challenges faced by pharmacies and pharmacists with predicting co-payments and determining eligibility and coverage.
Medicare’s new Dementia GUIDE Model: How can physicians, hospices, and home health agencies participate?
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMMedicare’s new Dementia GUIDE Model: How can physicians, hospices, and home health agencies participate? Morgan Lewis Blog Post; 3/1/24If you have had a loved one suffer from dementia, you know the emotional, physical, and financial toll of this terrible disease. With advancements in dementia treatment, however, there is renewed hope on addressing this disease and increasing emphasis on fostering innovative care models. A central pillar of this effort is the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, announced by the US Department of Health and Human Service’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in July 2023. This initiative—a new voluntary, nationwide alternative payment model—is designed to support Medicare beneficiaries with dementia, as well as their caregivers.
Change Healthcare outage: AHA slams UnitedHealth funding program
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMChange Healthcare outage: AHA slams UnitedHealth funding program Modern Healthcare - Cybersecurity, by Lauren Berryman; 3/4/2024The American Hospital Association slammed UnitedHealth Group's offer of financial assistance for some healthcare providers in the wake of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare and called on Congress for assistance. AHA President and CEO Richard Pollack said Change Healthcare parent company UnitedHealth Group's temporary loan program misses the mark in a letter sent Monday to UnitedHealth Group President and Chief Operating Officer Dirk McMahon. Pollack criticized the initiative for what he described as its limited eligibility criteria and unfair contract terms and conditions.
Profits at hospice firm VITAS soar by whopping nearly 88 percent in Q4
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMProfits at hospice firm VITAS soar by whopping nearly 88 percent in Q4 McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 2/29/24Hospice firm VITAS, a subsidiary of Chemed, enjoyed a stellar fourth quarter as profits rose by nearly 88% to reach $63 million. It helped to buoy Chemed’s overall earnings as the parent company’s other subsidiary, plumbing subsidiary Roto-Rooter, struggled with weaker profits and sales.
At Frieze LA, Gary Tyler finds resilience after prison—in each stitch of his poignant quilts
03/05/24 at 03:00 AMAt Frieze LA, Gary Tyler finds resilience after prison—in each stitch of his poignant quilts ARTnews, by Steven Vargas; 2/29/24 Los Angeles–based artist Gary Tyler has been making quilts for close to 15 years but has yet to exhibit them in his hometown. This week, he will debut several of his intricate and emotionally packed pieces at Frieze Los Angeles, after having been named the winner of the fair’s Impact Prize. His quilts document the 42 years he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction of murder at age 17. His journey to receiving the prize may be unconventional, but for him, it is a reminder of the resilience of an artist.Publisher's note: This article features another quilter from the Angola Prison Hospice Project.
Maryland: Medical aid-in-dying legislation won’t pass this year
03/05/24 at 02:45 AMMaryland: Medical aid-in-dying legislation won’t pass this yearThe Baltimore Banner, by Pamela Wood; 3/1/24The Maryland General Assembly will not vote this year on a bill that would allow terminally ill residents to be prescribed medication they could take to initiate their own death. Versions of the proposal have been considered, but not passed, in Maryland since 2015.
How will Kentucky's medical marijuana program be regulated? Here's where things stand
03/05/24 at 02:30 AMHow will Kentucky's medical marijuana program be regulated? Here's where things stand Louisville Courier Journal, by Olivia Evans; 3/4/24The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program — which regulates the legal cultivation, production, sale and use of medical marijuana products — is set to officially start Jan. 1, 2025. ... In early January, Gov. Beshear's administration filed its first set of 10 regulations governing the industry and providing a framework for how businesses will operate. ... The 10 regulations focus on cultivators, processors, producers, safety compliance facilities, dispensaries and more. ... According to the website for the state medical cannabis program, the cabinet is in the process of developing additional regulations.
The Future of the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model
03/05/24 at 02:00 AMThe Future of the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) ModelCMS website; 3/4/24Beginning in Calendar Year (CY) 2021, the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model allowed participating Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) to include the Medicare hospice benefit in their Medicare Advantage (MA) benefits package, herein known as the Hospice Benefit Component. After carefully considering recent feedback about the increasing operational challenges of the Hospice Benefit Component and limited and decreasing participation among MAOs that may impact a thorough evaluation, CMS has decided to conclude the Hospice Benefit Component as of December 31, 2024, 11:59 PM. CMS will not accept applications to the previously released CY 2025 Request for Applications for the Hospice Benefit Component of the VBID Model.
MMJ.com expands access to Medical Marijuana cards across 26 states in the US
03/05/24 at 02:00 AMMMJ.com expands access to Medical Marijuana cards across 26 states in the US Newsfile Corp., 3/1/24 In a significant development for healthcare and legal access to medical marijuana in the United States, MMJ.com has announced its expansion to offer services across 26 states. This initiative represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to provide patients with legal, safe, and convenient access to medical marijuana, reflecting changing societal attitudes and advancements in telehealth.
Hospice of the Chesapeake appoints new CEO
03/05/24 at 02:00 AMHospice of the Chesapeake appoints new CEOThe Southern Maryland Chronicle, by David M. Higgins II; 3/1/24Rebecca Miller has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of the Chesapeake, a prominent not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing end-of-life care.
Home health disparities: Medicare Advantage patients receive fewer visits, worse outcomes
03/05/24 at 02:00 AMHome health disparities: Medicare Advantage patients receive fewer visits, worse outcomes Home Health Care News, by Patirck Filbin; 3/1/24Home health patients under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have worse functional outcomes compared to traditional Medicare patients, likely as a result of receiving fewer visits, according to a new study.
Double your cybersecurity spending, CIO warns amid Change Healthcare attack
03/04/24 at 03:15 AMDouble your cybersecurity spending, CIO warns amid Change Healthcare attack Becker's Health IT, by Naomi Diaz; 2/29/24What does the Change Healthcare ransomware incident mean for healthcare organizations? Doubling your cybersecurity spending, according to one health system CIO. Will Weider, CIO and senior vice president of Wausau, WI-based Aspirus Health, shared five thoughts on LinkedIn Feb. 29 about the incident, saying, "Whatever you planned to spend to improve cybersecurity, double it." Additionally, Mr. Weider stated that in light of this incident, healthcare organizations should: ...
Elevate Podcast Episode #32: Domestic violence, abuse, trauma in hospice
03/04/24 at 03:00 AMElevate Podcast Episode #32: Domestic violence, abuse, trauma in hospiceHospice News, by Mick Stahlberg; 2/28/24This episode features a discussion about the ways that pervasive experiences of domestic violence, abuse and trauma affect hospice and palliative care patients. Hospice News Reporter Holly Vossel speaks with Carole Fisher, president of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), and Dr. Cameron Muir, chief innovation officer at NPHI, about the different ways hospices can shape their trauma-informed care delivery approaches.
Staffing, capacity gains ‘catapult’ growth at VITAS
03/04/24 at 03:00 AMStaffing, capacity gains ‘catapult’ growth at VITAS Hospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/28/24Capacity gains driven by a slate of new hires has propelled VITAS Healthcare to pre-pandemic performance. A bonus program implemented last year has accelerated hiring, which in turn has relieved some of the capacity constraints that have been a stumbling block for several quarters running.The initiative included a one-time retention payment that ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 per employee for nurses, nurse managers, home health aides and social workers.
Message from HHS about an ongoing active cybersecurity threat to your IT resources
03/04/24 at 03:00 AMMessage from HHS about an ongoing active cybersecurity threat to your IT resourcesEmail from CMS; 3/1/24 Note: This joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) is part of an ongoing #StopRansomware effort to publish advisories for network defenders that detail various ransomware variants and ransomware threat actors. These #StopRansomware advisories include recently and historically observed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) to help organizations protect against ransomware. Visit stopransomware.gov to see all #StopRansomware advisories and to learn more about other ransomware threats and no-cost resources.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are releasing this joint CSA to disseminate known IOCs and TTPs associated with the ALPHV Blackcat ransomware as a service (RaaS) identified through FBI investigations as recently as February 2024.
Podcast: Dr. Robert Carolla’s reflections on life and mortality
03/04/24 at 03:00 AMPodcast: Dr. Robert Carolla’s reflections on life and mortality Springfield Daily Citizen; 2/28/24 Dr. Carolla, a pioneer in his field, sheds light on the delicate balance between life and mortality that oncologists navigate daily. Through his work with the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks and national recognition from StoryCorps broadcasts, he and his wife, Peg, have touched countless lives with their compassion and dedication. Dr. Carolla’s journey offers a profound perspective shift on life, death, grief and the human experience.