‘Jury Is Out’ on Hospice CARE Act’s Proposed Payment Reforms

The hospice community is contributing input to the development of the forthcoming Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of drafting the bill that, if enacted, would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. The legislation is currently in a […]

Hospice CARE Act Would Update Medical Reviews, Seek to Reduce Audits

The forthcoming Hospice Care Accountability, Reform and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act from U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenaur (D-Oregon), if enacted, would implement a number of changes to medical review processes. Blumenauer announced the bill in June at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C. Though the bill language is still in development, it will likely […]

Lawmakers Remain Committed to Passing Hospice Workforce Bill

Federal legislators plan to continue to work on passing a bill designed to bolster the hospice and palliative care workforce. The Palliative Care and Hospice Education Training Act (PCHETA) has come before Congress several times but has not yet been passed. The bill’s most recent development occurred in July 2023, when it was reintroduced by […]

Congress Mulls Bill to Extend Hospice Recertifications by Telehealth

A bill currently before Congress would extend through 2026 regulatory flexibilities related to telehealth, including the ability to recertify patients for hospice care. If enacted, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, would as of 2025 extend the flexibilities by two years. It also includes some exceptions. If a hospice is undergoing a period […]

Lawmakers Mull Bills to Ensure Hospice, Home Health Worker Safety

Lawmakers in Connecticut and Vermont have recently introduced legislation aimed at protecting hospice and home health workers. Some stakeholders worry that the laws may impact care continuity among vulnerable homebound terminally ill populations lacking end-of-life support. Legislators in Vermont recently passed an act related to mental health response service guidelines and social service provider safety, […]

State Palliative Care Councils May Be Proliferating

Wisconsin is among the states that have recently taken steps to improve palliative care access and awareness. Wisconsin legislators recently introduced a bill that would establish a statewide Palliative Care Council. If passed, the bill would require the state’s Department of Health Services (DHS) to create a group of palliative clinical professionals, patients and family […]

Bill Would Create New State-Level Pediatric Hospice, Palliative Care Program

Connecticut legislators recently introduced a bill that aims to create a statewide pediatric hospice and palliative program. If enacted, the bill would require the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) to create a plan for the development of the program and establish general statutes around its implementation. The plan would have to be completed by […]

Bill to Re-Allocate Federal Hospice Dollars Moving Forward in Congress

In case you missed it, Hospice News has launched a new specialty publication for palliative care professionals. You can subscribe to Palliative Care News here: Subscribe today! A new legislative package winding its way through Congress could re-allocate hospice funds to other programs. Lawmakers incorporated language from proposed amendments to the Social Security Act into a six-bill […]

Proposed Legislation Would Create Tax Credits for Family Caregivers

In case you missed it, Hospice News has launched a new specialty publication for palliative care professionals. You can subscribe to Palliative Care News here: Subscribe today! A bill to strengthen support for family caregivers is working its way through Congress. If enacted, it would create tax credits to help offset the financial burdens of […]