Literature Review

The challenges ahead with Jeanne Chiricohallenges ahead with Jeanne Chirico, HPCANYS President/CEO

MedPAC’s flawed recommendations would harm patients and increase costs National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, DC and Washington, DC; Press Release; 3/14/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) released the following statement on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) March 2025 Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. ... “MedPAC’s recommendations are based on flawed and incomplete analyses with conclusions unsupported by all the available facts. These recommendations severely undervalue the critical role that home health and hospice providers play in ensuring the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries,” said Alliance CEO Dr. Steve Landers. “Recommending unthinkable cuts for home health and stagnant payment rates for hospice in the face of workforce shortages and inflation threaten access to these vital services for our aging population and undermine the dedicated providers who support them. ..."

Empath Health CEO to Congress: Invest in home-based care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 3/11/25The federal government must invest further in home-based care, Empath Health CEO Jonathan Fleece told lawmakers at a hearing with the U.S. House of Representatives Ways & Means Health Subcommittee. leece was among several post-acute care leaders who appeared at the hearing, representing home health, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and other stakeholders. In opening remarks, Fleece pointed to the benefits of home-based care for patients and families, as well as the sector’s ability to reduce health care costs. 

The Alliance commends introduction of legislation to extend hospice telehealth flexibilities  National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 2/28/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is pleased to support the reintroduction of the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation, H.R.1720, would extend telehealth flexibilities for hospice face-to-face (F2F) recertification. The F2F encounter is performed by a physician or nurse practitioner to evaluate the patient and collect clinical information used in determining continued eligibility for hospice. Introduced by Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Jared Golden (D-ME), the bill would extend the F2F recertification flexibility for providers until December 31, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2026, the legislation also includes important guardrails to ensure appropriate use and requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a modifier to collect data on when the F2F encounter is conducted via telehealth. The Alliance, then through its legacy organizations, worked with lawmakers to ensure continued care transformation and access to care for high-quality providers. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Palliative care advocates at the World Health Organization executive board meeting ehospice; by Stephen Connor, Executive Director WHPCA; 2/19/25 The World Health Organization (WHO) is in turmoil with the planned withdrawal of funding and membership from the USA. About 20% of the WHO budget is from the US and withdrawal of all USAID funding is causing serious problems worldwide. Many member states are increasing their dues to WHO to help offset this loss, but these are difficult times for public health. These issues were front and center at the meeting of the WHO Executive Board 3-11 February.

Hospice of the Chesapeake Advanced Cardiac Care Program seeks to reduce hospital visits Southern Maryland News Net; Press Release; 2/20/25Hospice of the Chesapeake, in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) announces the Advanced Cardiac Care Program to address one of the nation’s largest killers of Americans – heart disease. Each year, more Americans die from heart disease than any other condition, including cancer. Heart disease is also a leading cause of hospitalization: patients with congestive heart failure alone account for more than one million inpatient admissions annually. By offering heart disease patients the right educational resources, we empower them to take control of their health,” Hospice of the Chesapeake Vice President of Medical Affairs & Hospice Medical Director Dr. Sonja Richmond said. “The resources available through the Advanced Cardiac Care Program can help patients and caregivers better manage their condition, reducing the likelihood of hospital visits and improving their quality of life.” ... Carole Fisher, President of NPHI [said,] “Far too many die alone in a hospital or nursing facility, when instead our hospice teams could care for them wherever they reside and they could enjoy a far higher quality of life surrounded by loved ones.”Editor's note: Links to Hospice of the Chesapeake; AHA'sHospice Care" webpage; NPHI's Advanced Cardiac Care.rogram.   

New House resolution would throw out 2025 home health rule McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 2/14/25 Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) on Wednesday introduced a resolution for Congress to disapprove of the 2025 home health payment rule. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Home health providers and advocates have  been pushing for Congress to stop the rule, which gives an aggregate 0.5% bump for home health providers but inflicts a permanent behavioral adjustment of -1.975%. ...  In 2023, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (now the National Alliance for Care at Home) sued the Department of Health and Human Services to block Medicare rate cuts. 

Former NAHC Leader Dombi joins Arnall Golden Gregory LLP Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 2/4/25 Bill Dombi, former president and CEO of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, has joined law firm Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. Dombi will serve as senior counsel in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. He has over four decades of experience spearheading major litigation and policy matters for the home health and hospice industry. ... Dombi first stepped into the role of NAHC’s vice president for law in 1987. He became NAHC’s interim president in 2017, and was named the association’s permanent president the following year. Throughout his time at NAHC, Dombi was a key player in the advancement of the home health and hospice industries. He officially retired from his role at NAHC at the end of 2024. The association also merged with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and is now known as the National Alliance for Care at Home.

Reflection on the Potomac River Crash Hospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger, Editor in Chief; 1/30/25We are absorbing unfolding news about Thursday night’s tragic plane and helicopter crash at the Potomac River. As with many of you, I’m flooded with memories of flying in and out of this same airport: gazing out the plane’s window to delight in DC’s historic sites; delighting in the diversity of my fellow travelers and whatever their stories might be. Many of these Washington DC trips were to be with our hospice and palliative colleagues at the (then) NHPCO Conferences or other related meetings. Today, I’m grateful for our safe journeys then. Today, I hope for renewed connections: the joy of each person’s unique life-journey; the relationships we’ve developed in moments at meetings, meals, and follow-up communications; the sacredness of this profound work we are privileged to share. And—with these current Potomac River tragic deaths—we are reminded of icy currents of own traumatic losses. For me, I’m struck with the pains of a beloved family in my childhood’s home church, whose adult son was killed in the 1982 Potomac River plane crash; with the heart-wrenching death of my grandfather when he was killed by a drunk driver; and more. For you? As news continues to unfold, may we treasure anew the unknown measure of our time on this earth. Of our connections with each other—whatever our differences—profit or nonprofit, political, and more. May we sensitively tune into the life-altering traumas carried within those we serve—and the healing compassion we can give. Humbly, Joy

Diana Franchitto named Board Chair as the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation celebrates 10 years National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 1/14/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) proudly announces Diana Franchitto, President & CEO of HopeHealth, as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. A visionary leader in hospice and advanced illness care, Diana steps into this role as NPHI celebrates a decade of driving high-quality nonprofit care and innovation. “As we celebrate a decade of impact, we are thrilled to welcome Diana as the new Chair of our Board of Directors,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of NPHI. “Her deep commitment to community-based, nonprofit care and her proven leadership make her uniquely qualified to help guide NPHI into this next phase of growth and innovation. I have tremendous respect for Tom and our members’ vision for NPHI, and I’m thrilled to work closely with Tom and our entire NPHI leadership team to bring that vision to life,” said Diana. “It’s an honor to serve as Board Chair during this pivotal moment as we celebrate our first decade of impact. I look forward to collaborating with our members and Board to advance the incredible work our nonprofit hospices deliver every day. Together, we will shape the next chapter of compassionate care and champion innovative, community-driven solutions that prioritize the needs of patients and families nationwide.”

The Alliance on CMS Hospice Special Focus Program Implementation: “Doubling down on a dangerous decision, eager to work with incoming administration to fix” National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 1/16/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement in response to the news of hospice providers filing litigation against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) over their flawed implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). The Alliance and the broader hospice community, who have been engaged on this program since its inception, have repeatedly shared concerns directly with CMS staff at all levels. They warned that this approach would inflict unnecessary harm to patient care, cause confusion to families when selecting a hospice provider to care for their loved ones at the end of life, and will cause some providers to sustain irreparable damage. These concerns have been echoed by lawmakers, providers, and the leading national hospice trade organizations. “With CMS doubling down on a dangerous course of action by proceeding with the Hospice SFP in its current state—and offering no due process or administrative recourse to address or mitigate its flaws—some hospice providers will suffer irreparable harm and have no choice but to seek justice through the courts on behalf of their patients and mission,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of the Alliance. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

2025 begins with growth: NPHI adds Hospice of Hope and North Hawaii HospiceNational Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; 1/7/25The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the voice for nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care, is thrilled to commence 2025 by announcing the addition of two new outstanding members to our compassionate, mission-driven community: Hospice of Hope and North Hawaii Hospice.  ... Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO remarked: “We are thrilled to welcome Hospice of Hope and North Hawaii Hospice to our mission-driven, innovative community. Their commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality, community-based care reflects the core values of NPHI, and we’re excited to join forces in advancing innovative care for patients and their families.” 

The Alliance celebrates the Dole Act becoming law, protecting burial benefits for veteransNational Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 1/7/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing S. 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, into law on Thursday, January 2. This landmark legislation includes Section 301, Gerald’s Law, which addresses a critical gap in benefits for Veterans. Gerald’s Law ensures that families of terminally-ill Veterans receiving Veterans Affairs (VA)-furnished hospice care—whether at home, in a nursing home, or in another non-VA setting—retain access to their full VA burial allowance. “We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support of Gerald’s Law and its inclusion in the Dole Act,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. “This legislation ensures that Veterans and their families can choose hospice care in the setting that best meets their needs without risking the loss of crucial burial benefits. We thank Senators Moran, Tester, and Hassan, Representatives Ciscomani, Bost, Brownley, and Takano, and many others for their leadership, as well as President Biden for signing this important bill into law.”