The debate on overhauling our nation’s health care system has been launched in earnest as lawmakers begin exploring options to meet President Barack Obama’s goals of improving access and quality during tough economic times. The first step in this process came in the President’s FY 2010 budget proposal, where many health sectors saw dramatic decreases to their funding as a down payment to pay for the massive health system overhaul. President Obama and Congressional leaders continue to reiterate that one of their top goals is to reduce the overall cost of health care in the U.S. NHPCO is at the negotiating table, actively positioning hospice as part of the solution – not only for patients and families, but also as a model of cost-efficient and high-quality health care delivery.

January 20, 2010

A Changing Environment in D.C.

What Does it All Mean?

Hospice Advocates around the nation have been following the legislative and political efforts to pass national health reform over the past year. Without a doubt, we all watched the election in Massachusetts last night with great interest and wondered what it would mean for hospice and health reform.

The answer to that question is: nobody knows yet. We can make some guesses, but they would be just that. You may hear as many scenarios and opinions as there are political pundits and news commentators, but the truth is that it is going to be a few days before the dust settles. The House and Senate Leadership will have to work through their options and decide how they want to proceed with health care reform in the changed political environment. As soon as that happens, NHPCO and the Alliance for Care at the End of Life will keep you informed as to what it means for the hospice community.

Hospice Advocates should continue their outreach to Congress to make sure that whatever happens next, Washington knows that there is a united hospice community committed to providing compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care. Stay tuned!

Updates on Hospice and Health Care Reform

End-of Year Recap and Next Steps in Health Reform (01/06/10)
The Latest News on Hospice and Health Care Reform: New Senate Health Reform Proposal Softens Cuts to Hospice (12/19/09)
The Latest News on Hospice and Health Care Reform: Senate Begins Debate on Health Reform (12/02/09)
The Latest News on Hospice and Health Care Reform: House passes health care reform bill (11/09/09)
The Latest News on Hospice and Health Care Reform: NHPCO Takes Position on House Reform Bill (11/06/09)
Public Policy Update: The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (09/23/09)
Public Policy Update: The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (09/22/09)
The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (09/17/09)
Misinformation, Health Care Reform, and the Media (08/14/09)
News and Update on Health Care Reform (07/29/09)
NHPCO & Alliance to Offer Health Care Reform Phone Forum Next Week (07/23/09)
The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (07/17/09)
Hospice Rates Protected in House Ways & Means Health Reform Proposal (07/16/09)
Breaking News on Hospice and Health Care Reform (07/08/09)
Public Policy Update: The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (07/07/09)
Join Wednesday's National Online Discussion on Healthcare Issues (6/30/09)
The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform (06/26/09)
Healthcare Reform Briefings Take Center Stage in D.C. This Week (06/03/09)
Updates on Health Care Reform Activity (03/25/09)
Reiterate the Value of Hospice Care by Participating in White House Regional Health Care Forums (03/12/09)

September 2009
Roll Call Ad
“Too Cuts are Too Much”

Health Care Reform Documents

Congressional Activity on Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform News & Resources

Daily Finance (NY) - Reform Health Care Now: End-of-life costs are too high (7/3/09)

The New Republic’s Health Care Map