We Honor Veterans: Connecting Legislators with Heroes and Hospice
We Honor Veterans (WHV) is an ideal example of a program that can connect hospice care—including patients, families, and providers—with their members of Congress.
Update: Response to House Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-3)’s announcement
On Monday, October 30, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2024. “Congressman Earl Blumenauer is among our strongest allies and friends in Congress. Throughout his career as a consummate public servant, he has time and time again dedicated himself to supporting those with serious illness and those receiving…
Comments on House Budget Committee RFI on Reducing Federal Health Care Spending
NHPCO provided comments in response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the House Budget Committee titled “Solutions to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Federal Health Care Spending in the Budget.” Comments discussed the audit and survey burdens on hospices; the need for interoperability of Electronic Medical Records in hospices; regulatory issues; the need for continued…
Response to Request for Information on Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas
NHPCO provided comments in response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the House Committee on Ways and Means on Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas. The comments focused on factors impacting hospice care access for patients and families in rural communities.
Comments to CMS on Proposed FY 24 Special Focus Program
NHPCO, The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), and LeadingAge partnered on a letter to CMS asking for improvements to the Special Focus Program algorithm and for the implementation of a preview year, during which providers can preview reports of their performance ranking. The…
HAN Intern Reflects on Advocacy Lessons Learned on the Hill
I never expected to be talking to congressional staff on my second day of work. I especially didn’t expect to sit in on meetings with congressional staff during one of HAN’s biggest weeks of the year, “Hospice Action Week”.
Coalition Letter to CMS: On Auditing of Medicare hospice benefit claims
NHPCO, in partnership with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), LeadingAge, and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), wrote a letter to the Centers for Program Integrity (CPI) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) raising concerns over “fundamental,…
Congressional Briefing Demonstrates the Value of the Medicare Hospice Benefit
New Research Shows Hospice Produces Better Outcomes, Lower Medicare Costs For Immediate ReleaseJuly 28, 2023 (Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA) – On Thursday, July 27 a panel of healthcare experts presented groundbreaking new research at a Capitol Hill briefing for Congressional offices, showing that patient use of hospice contributed to $3.5 billion in Medicare savings…
David Klementz and Chris Taelman Join the Hospice Action Network Board of Directors
For Immediate ReleaseJuly 24, 2023 (Alexandria, VA) – The Hospice Action Network (HAN), the advocacy affiliate of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is pleased to announce that Chris Taelman and David Klementz have joined its board of directors. Klementz is President and CEO of Traditions Health, a nationally recognized leader in high-quality…
NHPCO Welcomes Congressional Reintroduction of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
For Immediate ReleaseJuly 12, 2023 (Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its advocacy affiliate, the Hospice Action Network (HAN) are pleased to support the reintroduction of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) in the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan legislation (S. 2243) would meet the growing demand…