The Senate leadership released the text of the Manager's Amendment to the health reform proposal legislation.  We're happy to report the language includes a scaled down version of the cuts to hospice, similar to the proposal put forth by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) earlier this week. 

While hospice community still faces significant reimbursement reductions through health reform, this development represents a necessary first step to minimizing the impact to patients and families before the cuts are enacted in 2013.  This progress is a direct result of Hospice Advocacy efforts to protect access to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care.  Quite simply, our voice has been heard.

Of course, we still have work to do.  The House-passed health reform bill still contains much larger cuts to hospice.  We have to make sure that the Senate knows that the hospice community supports the effort to soften the cuts and other provisions to expand access to hospice. 

Contact your Senators today to make sure they know that the hospice community is still engaged and asking for their continued support. 

Stay tuned.  As more information is available, NHPCO will be your up-to-the minute resource for hospice in health reform.

As always, thank you for your Hospice Advocacy!