Hospice News and Research

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Amid budget woes, PEPFAR is a program worth saving

In this post in LA Progressive, Georgianne Nienaber, an investigative and political writer, examines the potential effects of reduced PEPFAR funding and highlights the non-denominational Christian ACTS clinic operating in South Africa as an example of a U.S. foreign aid success story.

1 Oct 2011

Walden University forms partnerships with five health systems

With an aging population placing major demands on healthcare systems and the nursing profession projected to grow significantly in the next few years, the need for educated healthcare professionals continues to increase.

27 Sep 2011

Lung Flute provides relief to Buffalo-area patients with COPD

An easy-to-use device developed by a local biomedical company is providing relief to Buffalo-area patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

7 Sep 2011

ACS' Commission on Cancer releases new standards to directly address patient concerns

A patient-centered approach is at the forefront of new accreditation standards for hospital cancer programs released today by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

2 Sep 2011

Palliative, hospice care can lessen the suffering cancer brings to patients and families

Being diagnosed with cancer can be devastating, and the treatment can take its toll in physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual ways. Palliative care providers can lessen the suffering cancer brings to patients and their families—both during treatment and at the end of life. Many people don't realize that palliative care to treat symptoms and improve a patient's quality of life can and should be given throughout their illness, not just at the end of life.

24 Aug 2011

Ensign acquires Whittier Hills, Ukiah healthcare center in California

The Ensign Group, Inc., announced today that it has acquired the underlying real estate and other operating assets of Whittier Hills Healthcare Center, a 160-bed skilled nursing facility in Whittier, California and Ukiah Healthcare Center, a 57-bed skilled nursing facility in Ukiah, California.

24 Aug 2011

Canuck Place receives TD donation to build new children's hospice in Abbotsford

Thanks to a generous donation from TD Bank Group, the construction of the second Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Abbotsford, B.C. will include the creation of a space to relax, connect and unwind for some of its most important people: volunteers.

20 Aug 2011

Nursing home, hospice pay trigger questions, concern, action

News outlets report on a range of issues related to Medicare payments, including losses that are expected to result from a new payment rule for nursing homes and the lobbying effort being undertaken by hospice facilities.

17 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 16, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how the influence industry is jockeying for position with the 'super committee' as well as details of how Medicaid payments for prescription drugs stack up against those made by Medicare.

16 Aug 2011

Kindred subsidiary to acquire Professional HealthCare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the equity of Professional HealthCare, LLC, a portfolio company of Mainsail Partners, for a purchase price of $51 million in cash.

11 Aug 2011

USA Today: Medicare's hospice costs show dramatic increase

Medicare costs for hospice care have increased more than in any other health care sector as for-profit companies continue to gain a larger share of the end-of-life medical market, government records show.

8 Aug 2011

Chemed board declares increased quarterly cash dividend

Chemed Corporation announced today that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 16-cents per share on the Company's capital stock, payable on September 6, 2011, to shareholders of record as of August 16, 2011. This is a 2-cent, or 14.3%, increase over the 14-cent dividend paid in the second quarter of 2011.

8 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 8, 2011

Kaiser Health News staff writer Marilyn Werber Serafini reports: "GOP presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty has scorned the health plans engineered by President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, even linking them with the term Obamneycare. Instead, the former Minnesota governor is brandishing a health plan his state passed in 2008 as a model for the nation".

8 Aug 2011

Amedisys second quarter net service revenue decreases 11.5% to $373.7 million

Amedisys, Inc., a leading home health and hospice company, today reported its financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and lowered 2011 guidance.

2 Aug 2011

Nursing homes to face Medicare pay cut

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized an 11 percent drop in nursing home payments, which will kick in next year.

2 Aug 2011

Ensign acquires Hurricane Health and Rehabilitation Center

The Ensign Group, Inc., the parent company of the Ensign group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services, hospice care and assisted living companies, announced today that it has acquired Hurricane Health and Rehabilitation Center, a 48-bed skilled nursing facility in Hurricane, Utah.

2 Aug 2011

Ensign acquires Lakeland Hills Independent & Assisted Living Community

The Ensign Group, Inc., the parent company of the Ensign group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services, hospice care and assisted living companies, announced today that it has acquired Lakeland Hills Independent & Assisted Living Community, a 167-unit assisted and independent living facility in Dallas, Texas. The asset acquisition was effective on Monday, August 1, 2011.

2 Aug 2011

Ensign acquires Oceanview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

The Ensign Group, Inc., the parent company of the Ensign group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services, hospice care and assisted living companies, announced today that it has acquired Oceanview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, a 134-bed skilled nursing facility in Texas City, Texas.

2 Aug 2011

FDA approves Covidien's morphine sulfate oral solution for chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted approval to the company's Mallinckrodt business for morphine sulfate oral solution, used to relieve moderate to severe acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients. The solution will be available as a generic in 100 milligrams per 5 mL (20 milligrams per 1 mL).

1 Aug 2011

Nursing homes attack Medicare's payment cuts

"Medicare says it will cut payments to nursing homes to correct for an unintended windfall this year, and the industry is warning that quality will be compromised. Officials announced the 11 percent cut Friday, along with other changes meant to tamp down on physical therapy costs".

1 Aug 2011