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Hospice, Palliative Care Aim To Ease Suffering

By Susan Brink March 5, 2010 KFF Health News Original

Palliative services are designed to help patients and their families sort through their options – ome of which may help restore the patient, while others may increase suffering for a minimal health benefit.

Why Are Fewer Patients Enrolling in Hospice?

By Howard Gleckman February 18, 2010 KFF Health News Original

It is not clear why it’s happening, but some hospice officials blame both a bad economy and Medicare rules that unintentionally discourage doctors from referring all but those who are about to die.

KFF Health News Coverage: End-Of-Life Care

March 4, 2010 Page

The following stories focus on end-of-life care. Please check back for updates. Bunny’s Last Days: When Living Will Isn’t Enough (Brink, 3/5/10) – Living Wills Often Ignored – Hospice, Palliative Care Aim To Ease Suffering Catholic Directive May Thwart End-Of-Life Wishes (Meyer, 2/27/10) Ethicist Callahan: ‘Set Limits’ On Health Care (Baker, 12/10/09) […]

Living Wills Often Ignored

By Susan Brink March 5, 2010 KFF Health News Original

Living wills and advance directives were the hope for end-of-life decision-making decades ago. But a 2004 survey by FindLaw found that 36 percent of Americans have a living will, and even when people have filled out living wills, doctors often ignore them.

Bunny’s Last Days: When Living Will Isn’t Enough

By Susan Brink March 5, 2010 KFF Health News Original

In the era of modern medicine, there is often no easy way to navigate between an acceptable quality of life and a death with dignity. But palliative care specialists, relatively new players on the health care scene, offer comfort, support, pain control and, if requested, spiritual counsel, helping people sort through often confusing and ambiguous medical options.

Health Care No Stranger To Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process

By Julie Rovner, NPR News February 24, 2010 KFF Health News Original

To get health reform passed, Democrats could use a process called budget reconciliation, which allows them to advance the bill with a simple majority. Republicans say the process was not designed for such a large bill, but reconciliation has often been used to move major health policy.

Gentiva Purchase Of Odyssey Would Create Largest U.S. Home Health And Hospice Provider

May 25, 2010 Morning Briefing

A plan from Gentiva Health Services to buy Odyssey HealthCare for almost $1 billion would create the largest U.S. provider of home health and hospice care, The Associated Press reports.

Catholic Directive May Thwart End-Of-Life Wishes

By Harris Meyer February 27, 2010 KFF Health News Original

A directive passed last November in Tulsa, Okla., raises fresh questions about the ability of patients to have their end-of-life treatment wishes honored – and whether and how a health care provider should comply with lawful requests not consistent with the provider’s religious views.

What Price For Medical Miracles? High Costs At End Of Life Still Part Of National Health Debate

By David Ewing Duncan March 9, 2010 KFF Health News Original

Finding the right balance between too much and too little care is excruciating and highly personal for physicians, patients and families – one reason it’s not discussed at a national level. This reluctance is mirrored by an unwillingness by lawmakers to confront hard choices on medical spending.

As Doctor Frustration With Medicare Pay Grows, A Few Opt To Leave The System

May 3, 2010 Morning Briefing

Other doctors cut down on the number of Medicare patients they will see and some areas are reporting that seniors are having trouble finding a doctor. Also, hospice leaders report stiff cuts in Medicare reimbursements.

Experts Debate Rationing And End-Of-Life Care; Hospice Use Rises In Colorado

April 27, 2010 Morning Briefing

PBS televises recent debate among four experts on bio-ethics on rationing and end-of-life care.

Racial Disparities Persist In Hospice Use

March 9, 2010 Morning Briefing

New research finds racial disparities in hospice use.

Getting The Bugs Out Of Health Reform

By Jonathan Cohn November 23, 2009 KFF Health News Original

When it comes to making medical care not only cheaper but also better, reducing hospital infections is among the easiest changes to make–something reform really should be able to do, even in this political universe of such limited possibility.

For Dying and Seriously Ill Children, Hope For Better Care

By Carol Ann Campbell August 13, 2009 KFF Health News Original

When 14 year old Prince Jackson was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he was caught in a gray zone: public and private insurance doesn’t usually cover the palliative care he desperately needed. But his mother got help from a new program that provides services for seriously ill or dying children.

Senate Finance Committee Press Release On Bill Modifications

September 22, 2009 KFF Health News Original

The Senate Finance Committee released a press release summarizing the major modifications to the Chariman’s Mark.

Doctors Providing End of Life Counseling See Benefit in Current Controversy

By Jessica Marcy August 14, 2009 KFF Health News Original

Physicians, while disputing the charges of plans for euthanasia, say the debate on what is in the House health bill on end-of-life care could help focus attention on an underfunded service.

Medicare Coverage Explained

By Jessica Marcy September 22, 2009 KFF Health News Original

As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how the health overhaul would affect medicare.

Press Release: Baucus’ Plan To Lower Health Care Costs

September 16, 2009 KFF Health News Original

The following is a press release on Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ new health care reform legislation.

Kill Grandma? Debunking A Health Bill Scare Tactic

By Julie Rovner, NPR News August 13, 2009 KFF Health News Original

Some analysts say false claims that the health bill encourages seniors to end their lives early were purposely spread to undermine the bill. In fact, the bill would pay health care providers to discuss a patient’s health care wishes. This story comes from our partner NPR News.

Making End-Of-Life Wishes Known Is Rare; More Hospice Care Could Save Medicare Money

November 12, 2009 Morning Briefing

The Associated Press reports on hospice care.

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