Jan Jones 
The Elizabeth Hospice, Escondido, CA

1.  What prompted your interest in serving on the NHPCO Board of Directors?

I believe this is a critical time in the life of the hospice movement to lead efforts to preserve the valuable service we offer and to expand access for this service.  Serving on the Board allows me to further that agenda with like individuals equally committed to serving those in our communities in need.

2.  What special expertise would you bring to the board?  See the statement of characteristics to be evaluated for guidance on this question.

Over 25 years of experience moving the hospice agenda with  local, state,and federal legislators,experience on NHPCO committees including but not limited to Ethics, Public Policy,Finance, Nominating,etc.. Experience in leadership in state organizations in Florida and Tennessee. Presenting numerous workshops at the local,state, and national levels. Perhaps most Importantly I bring a true passion for the work we do and a commitment to both preserve the mission and improve the product.  I also have experience in both urban and rural settings as well as varying areas of the country.

3.  How can NHPCO meet the needs of a diverse group of hospice and palliative care providers? (i.e. rural vs. urban, community based vs. corporate, small vs. large)

Through adequate representation of these programs on committees and the Board. As a National Director I would expect to hear the Issues of all types of programs and bring those issues to the forefront as we strategically  address important issues.

4.  What leadership positions, beyond hospice and palliative care, have you held?

I have led numerous organizations on a volunteer basis-in Tennessee I Chaired the Association of Non-Profit Executives as well as Chairing a Federally Qualified Health Care Facility.  I served on numerous boards including the Nashville Hospital Authority and The United Way Board.  Nationally I chaired the American Association of Medical Administrators which is an organization promoting leadership in all areas of healthcare.

5.  What roles do you think hospice and palliative care should play in the health care continuum that it currently does not? 

I believe it should be referred to at the beginning of chronic illness diagnoses- there is a major role for hospices to do consultation and planning that has been underutillzed tremendously. I also believe It is incumbent upon us to develop programs and ways to serve people much earlier in their illnesses through palliative care and other outreach programs.

6.  What do you think are the most important issues/challenges facing hospice and palliative care in the next five years?  What do you see as NHPCO’s role with regard to those issues?  How would you, as a board member, help NHPCO fill that role?

Reduced Funding and ACO's are the things that loom closest. I think it is critical for us to remain exempted from being included within an ACO in terms of payment- we will need to watch this very closely as new legislation is introduced. Reduced funding is a reality and I see NHPCO's role as being a technical advisor to programs struggling to remain viable in the "new world" of hospice and palliative care. The other challenge is to emphasize the importance of compliance in this age of highly Increased scrutiny and to advocate with CMS fair and equitable standards with regards to evaluating program compliance.

7.  Describe an innovative or visionary achievement you led that had a broad effect in your community or state.

About 6 years ago I had the opportunity to advocate in Tennessee to change the law in regards to who hospices could serve by having added the statement that  any licensed hospice could provide palliative care to non-hospice patients. That has opened the door for all hospices to make a difference earlier  In the patient's trajectory.