Top News Stories of the Month, April 2024

Discover the pulse of hospice and palliative care as I, alongside Mark Cohen, unravel the complexities and triumphs of the industry's latest happenings.  We've curated a compelling lineup of topics that promise to enrich your understanding of the field, from the stark disparities in cancer rates within the LGBTQ+ community to the ongoing struggles Black Americans face in serious illness care. As local newsrooms face cutbacks, we shed light on alternative ways hospice providers can remain influential in their communities, and we don't shy away from the gritty reality of legislative changes impacting hospice care.

Navigating the turbulent waters of healthcare, we dissect the seismic shifts from nonprofit hospitals to concierge care and the potential upheavals of Cigna's and Humana's corporate dance.  The conversation takes a deep dive into the workforce crisis plaguing nursing, revealing the burnout, financial strains, and the surge in unionization that are reshaping the landscape. Mark Cohen's insights illuminate the monumental wage suit victory for Providence employees, and the implications these tides of change could have on early-career doctors and the patients they serve.

In our final chapter, we explore the avant-garde of healthcare regulations and innovation, analyzing the Labor Department's new overtime rule, Medicare and Medicaid missteps, and the proposed 2025 hospice rule changes.  We venture into the realm of technological advancements, discussing cutting-edge tools enhancing senior care and the pivotal role of telehealth in rural caregiving. 

As we close, remember: Effective media relations are vital for hospices, and I offer pearls of wisdom on staying visible in the media fray, inspired by George Eliot's belief in the power of small, consistent efforts.

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast