By Pam Barrett, ACSW, FACHE
Executive Vice President Organizational Excellence
It’s an interesting time to be in Washington!
On Wednesday, approximately 400 hospice and palliative care advocates made the annual trek to Capitol Hill, meeting with our legislators and their healthcare legislative aides. This opportunity is orchestrated by the Hospice Action Network, the advocacy arm of The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization. With lots of walking between the house and senate office buildings, it’s a long day, but also a highly energizing time! We have an opportunity to remind our legislators about what it takes to help advance quality end-of-life care and how they can support us in doing so.
Pam Barrett and Senator Kay Hagan
Even with our government on the verge of a shutdown and in the midst of divisive political debate, each office we visited was gracious and welcoming. I am thankful that the importance of our work is universally acknowledged and considered bipartisan; we serve democrats, republicans, and independents alike.
This year we noted that all are looking for ways to remain fiscally responsible; we did not ask for additional Medicare funding. Instead we advocated for support of a bill to help administratively streamline some regulatory requirements, approve a demonstration project on payment reform, and require more scrutiny of hospice providers. “Why would a provider want more scrutiny?” one astute young staffer asked. “Because we are committed to quality, consistency, and excellence,” I replied.
Although HPCCR chooses voluntary accreditation, and we have a detailed audit of clinical and regulatory compliance (every three years), many others do not. In fact, hospices are only expected to be reviewed every eight years. Home health agencies, nursing homes, and hospitals are surveyed with much greater frequency. The reality for hospices under current constraints is that it may be 10, 12, or even 17 years between surveys! This is alarming and,we believe, related to increasing variability that has been reported among hospice providers.
Our concerns were heard. Both of the NC Senate offices (Burr and Hagan) welcomed our delegation. In addition, I was able to visit the offices of Representatives Sue Myrick, Patrick McHenry, and Mel Watt who represent Districts nine, ten, and twelve respectively. Others were able to visit Larry Kissell (District eight) and Virginia Fox (District five); all of whom collectively represent parts of our eight-county service region. We had the opportunity to invite them and their staff to visit with us when in district; to see Levine & Dickson Hospice House and to get to know about the care and compassion being provided to their constituents. After the past few days, I expect they will!
In addition to being the Executive Vice President Organizational Excellence for HPCCR, Pam is also a member of the NHPCO Public Policy Committee.
Hospice Matters 