We are now entering the final phase of health reform. Leaders in the House and Senate are meeting to reconcile the two versions of health reform legislation. There is much at stake for our community; both opportunities and challenges. On the opportunity side, if reform passes we will be able to offer hospice care togehter with curative care for children enrolled in Medicaid . A demonstration project (in 15 sites) of concurrent care will also allow for hospice care alongside curative care for those eligible for Medicare. Significant funds for pain research and education will be made available. The House version of the bill will reimburse physicians for advance care planning discussions. Many of our patients and their cargivers will have access to health insurance that may not have been avaaible to them in the past.
Our challenges include cuts to Medicare hospice reimbursement and wage index that will threaten financial viability of many smaller hospice programs. We also face additional risk this year at the state level. Due to the severity of the Florid's fiscal crisis, the Medicaid hospice benefit is again being threatened. I have sent out alerts and calls for actions this past week.
It is very important that our representatives hear from the hospice community. Use the link below to:
Make Sure Congress Knows Where We Stand
Take Action!
Advance Care Planning: A Paradigm Shift
1 week ago
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