Literature Review

VA Committee leaders unveil bipartisan veterans packageHouse Committee on Veterans' Affairs; by Kathleen McCarthy; 5/14/24 House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs leaders Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), introduced H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This legislation includes a number of bipartisan and bicameral proposals to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, and their survivors. ... The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act is supported by a growing list of the following organizations: The American Legion [TAL] ... Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), ... Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), ... National PACE Association, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), Hospice Action Network (HAN), and [many more].

VA extends health coverage to family caregivers of patients who served McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/6/24As recognition grows nationally of the needs of unpaid caregivers, family members and caregivers of veterans soon will have more options to receive care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).  Starting at the end of May, these caregivers will be granted new coverage for audio telehealth services, mental health care and [more]. ... Telehealth coverage is particularly important for caregiver beneficiaries living in rural areas, the VA noted.

Village Hospice hosts Vietnam Veteran’s Breakfast CBS KCTV 5, Kansas City, MO; 4/10/24 Village Hospice provides many services to support their residents, including ways to honor their residents that are veterans. Jillian hears about a recent Vietnam Veterans’ Breakfast and how it celebrated Veterans living at John Knox Village. 

Touching graduation ceremony for Fulton County student at her grandfather’s bedside in hospice WSB-TV 2 Atlanta, by Berndt Petersen; 3/27/24 A graduating senior from Cambridge High School wanted to give her grandfather, who is in hospice care, one last gift. He wanted to attend her graduation ceremony. Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen shares how they brought the ceremony to him.

Hospice prepares to thank Vietnam era vetsMid Hudson News; 3/17/24In early 2017, Congress passed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, establishing March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.  The holiday is also known as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and in honor of those who served during the Vietnam era, the Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties will host its fourth annual “Thank You” and Memorial Ceremony on March 29 at 10 a.m. at the Cornwall Yacht Club. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties is a community partner of “We Honor Veterans,” a campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs.Editor's Note: Click here for information about March 29th, National Vietnam War Veterans Day.   

Hines VA introduces new monitoring system for hospice and nursing home Veterans VA Press Release; 3/15/24 Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital has begun integrating a new patient monitoring system to improve Veteran health and assist medical staff. The AvaSure© Continuous Video Monitoring System places portable cameras in patients’ rooms who may need closer monitoring. Staff can observe up to 15 patients simultaneously through a virtual interface to monitor for issues such as a patient out of bed or patient-caused medical device interference. ... The monitoring system will be used in Hines VA’s Community Living Center (CLC), which includes short- and long-term nursing home care and hospice. 

NHPCO and We Honor Veterans welcome CMS clarification regarding Medicare Hospice Benefit for dually eligible veterans NHPCO Press Release; 3/11/24 The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its We Honor Veterans (WHV) program responded to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) clarification on concurrent care eligibility for Veteran beneficiaries. Under Change Request 13523 issued by CMS on February 22, 2024, the Medicare Benefit Manual is updated to clarify that a Veteran beneficiary who elects hospice services under the Medicare benefit may still receive services that are not included on the hospice plan of care and are furnished and paid under the beneficiary’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, in addition to hospice services.

A pathophysiological approach for selecting medications to treat nociceptive and neuropathic pain in servicemembersMil Med, by Khan Thi Nguyen, Daniel W Beauchamp, Reginald B O'Hara; 1/31/24The prevalence of chronic pain of service members (SMs) in the U.S. is estimated to be higher (roughly 31-44%) compared to that of civilian population (26%). This higher prevalence is likely due to the high physical demands related combat and training injuries that are not immediately resolved and worsen over time. Mental Health America reports that chronic pain can lead to other mental health conditions such as severe anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psychedelic therapy debate returns to Missouri General AssemblyMissouri Independent, by Rebecca Rivas; 1/30/24Numerous clinical studies nationwide have shown positive results from using psilocybin to treat PTSD, depressiona and substance use. Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require Missouri to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care. ... In the House Veterans Committee on Tuesday, Republican Rep. Aaron McMullen of Independence plans to present an amended version of the bill that would limit its scope to only veterans. The suicide rate among veterans in Missouri is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country. ... McMullen, a veteran who served in a combat unit in Afghanistan, told The Independent, “While psilocybin is not a panacea for every issue, it represents a first true scientifically-validated hope that we have to address this crisis.”

Coming to terms: Female veterans' experience of serious illnessJournal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, by Brandon M. Varilek and Mary J. Isaacson; 1/16/24Female veteran populations are growing internationally and are more likely than men to develop certain serious illnesses, including some cancers. ... This study reports the qualitative findings from a multimethod study using qualitative inquiry to explore female veterans' experiences of living with a serious illness. 

Hospice receives giftThe Journal (Martinsburg, WV)December 26, 2023Martinsburg, WV—Maria Lorensen, development director of Hospice of the Panhandle; Patrick Broderick, trustee; Mark Jordan, senior vide; Matt Butts, surgeon; Bob Affeldt, trustee; Linda Snidemiller, Ladies Auxiliary president; Pete Faith, junior vice; Steve Luthardt, quartermaster; and Art Schur, commander of the VFW Post 4019. The VFW presented Hospice with a $10,000 gift right before the holidays in gratitude for the agency’s care for veterans.

Awareness, Education Keys to Trauma-Informed Hospice CareHospice NewsDecember 7, 2023Having a greater understanding around the impacts of trauma and abuse can help hospices improve end-of-life experiences for patients and working conditions for staff. Training and education are keys to caring for patients and employees with unique needs impacted by trauma and abuse. ... Abuse and trauma experiences impact those delivering and receiving hospice care in many ways, some evident and some less apparent, according to Carole Fisher, president, National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. ... "The impacts of trauma and abuse are important to include in staff training and education, as well as patient care delivery approaches and employee policies," Fisher stated. ... "Trauma-informed care involves having a complete understanding of a person’s overall life experiences and orienting health services toward healing," according to Lara McKinnis, professional development specialist at Teleios Collaborative Network.

In key home care victory, House passes Elizabeth Dole Home Care ActMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 7, 2023Providers, industry organizations and advocates applauded the House’s passage of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act on Tuesday evening. “It’s a good recognition, especially on the House’s part, that reinforces home care as an industry,” Jason Lee, chief executive officer of the Home Care Association of America, said in an interview on Wednesday with McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse. “They see the value in the services, and that is so critically important.” The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act would introduce various provisions to make home care more accessible for veterans. Among the key ones: The cost of providing veterans noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home services, such as home care, may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if they had received Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care. ... Of course, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act still has to win Senate approval.