Press Releases & News
Medicare Hospice Benefit in Danger!
Oct 01, 2008New Bill in the U.S. Senate
It’s October 1st – and the phased implementation of the hospice rate cuts begins today. But, there is still time to minimize the damage and Congress is closer than ever to halting the cuts to hospice.
Congress needs to hear from you, the patients and families, to stop hospice rate cuts! We’re in a critical time to stop cuts to YOUR Medicare Hospice Benefit!
Email Your Representatives Now!Late yesterday, new legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate that includes, among other provisions, a six month delay in the implementation of the rate cuts. The hospice provision in the Preserving Access to Healthcare Act of 2008 (or PATH Act), S. 3656, is very similar to the Medicare Hospice Protection Act and NHPCO and the Alliance for Care at the End of Life enthusiastically support it.
By simply shortening the delay period down to 6 months and bundling the hospice provision with a handful of other important healthcare issues, the Senate has crafted a piece of legislation that could be passed this week under an expedited review process.
As you know, time is short. Congress will be wrapping up legislative business in a matter of days and the rate cut begins today. Contact your senators today to ask for their support of the PATH Act and share this message to others so that they can join you in Hospice Advocacy!
Every email counts and this will only take a couple minutes of your time! (Congress keeps count of the emails!) Please let your friends and family know that they can make a HUGE difference in the future of hospice care in America by contacting Congress today!