NHPCO Participates in Seminal Briefing of the Congressional Palliative Care Task Force

Lori Bishop, Vice President of Palliative & Advanced Care for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, participated in the first-ever meeting of the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus’ Palliative Care Task Force. Hosted on September 14, the bipartisan task force was launched by Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) and inspired by their personal experiences providing long-term care to loved ones.

While the briefing served to introduce congressional staff to palliative care, the task force will work to enhance palliative care services to improve the quality of life of millions of Americans managing serious illnesses while also raising the public’s awareness and promoting the availability and benefits of palliative care through bipartisan solutions to expand access these services.

“NHPCO wholeheartedly stands behind the efforts of the bipartisan Palliative Care Task Force and is committed to continuing its work to support efforts to educate lawmakers about this important type of care,” said Ms. Bishop. “We thank Representatives Rosen and Poliquin for spearheading this important effort and commend their goal to create bipartisan policies and solutions that address the needs of the palliative care community. We look forward to working with them and other task force members to advance palliative care for all Americans.”

Palliative care helps to prevent and reduce the physical and emotional suffering for patients dealing with serious illness, providing individuals with the best possible quality of life for both them and their families.

In July the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) which is co-sponsored by both Representatives Rosen and Poliquin and furthers the task force’s goals as the bill would expand access to palliative care services and provide awards, grants, career developmental opportunities, and support to physicians, nurses, hospitals, social work schools, medical schools, and other medical institutions to promote education and research in palliative care.

“NHPCO commends the House of Representatives for advancing PCHETA and urges the Senate to take up the popular bipartisan bill so that Americans with life-limiting illnesses are able to access the hospice and palliative care they need to be comfortable and at-peace alongside their loved ones,” concluded Ms. Bishop.

Launch of Bipartisan Congressional Task Force Championing Palliative Care hosted on September 14.

Grief Support Exemplifies the Value of Coordinating Care

What My Hospice means is different to each individual and family we serve. For Jan Jones, it means supporting families on their hospice journey even after their loved one is gone. As Medicare’s first coordinated care model, we must protect the Medicare Hospice Benefit for programs like Jan’s. 

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Elizabeth Hospice in Southern California, Jan Jones, RN, BSN can’t help but care deeply about everyone who walks through her door. Throughout her career, she has seen how the death of a loved one, even when expected, can leave behind deep and painful grief for family and friends. Even though grief is a natural response to loss, grieving is a difficult and emotional process. For Jan and her team, caring for those who are grieving can be a precarious undertaking requiring tact and skill because not everyone processes loss the same way and immediate needs vary. This is where experience combined with sensitivity and compassion proves to be invaluable.

In my experience, the hospice community has the knowledge and specialization to offer care for the bereaved – something many people may not know about the hospice benefit. Hospice exemplifies the principles of quality, compassionate, personalized care that everyone wants and deserves. Anyone who has ever been affected by hospice and palliative care--whether as a patient, loved one, or healthcare professional--understands the immense value of comprehensive and coordinated care models like hospice.

Hospice bereavement services are diverse, and our program includes a number of support groups specialized for spouses, children, parents or caregivers, as well as support for communities processing unexpected deaths, tragedies and natural disasters. While hospice bereavement services can come in the form of groups or outreach, it can also come through yoga, guided meditation, writing workshops, hiking excursions and pet therapy.   

While the details of support may vary, what all these programs share in common is that they are comprehensive in scope. As a care team, we all work together to develop and coordinate a plan for an individual based on their needs, experiences, interactions with our team and their relation to the deceased.

We will all likely experience grief at some point, but it’s a comfort to know that the hospice community has the depth of experience and expertise willing to support individuals and communities through the grieving process. This openness and commitment to care are the cornerstones of the philosophy of care and I cherish the thousands of lives we have been able to touch.

We invite you to keep promoting the power of hospice by joining the My Hospice campaign. Please consider sharing this post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter or share your My Hospice story with us.

Congressional Letter on Regulatory Relief

Regulatory relief is one of the top priorities for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) during this administration. CMS Administrator Seema Verma launched the “Patients over Paperwork” initiative, in accord with President Trump’s Executive Order that directs federal agencies to “cut the red tape” and there has been a lot of discussion about this issue among federal policymakers.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has been involved in discussions with both CMS and the House Ways and Means Committee, has submitted detailed suggestions to reduce regulatory burden for hospice and was invited to testify at a Red Tape Relief Roundtable sponsored by the House Ways and Means Committee.

NHPCO had further discussions with committee staff over the summer, as the Committee prepared a letter to CMS outlining the regulatory relief recommendations for various Medicare providers.

On September 4, the Congressional letter was sent to CMS, and included NHPCO’s top priority of increased accountability and transparency for government auditors reviewing hospices.

Join Our Team!

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is hiring. This is your chance to make a difference working on behalf of our nation's hospice and palliative care community.

NHPCO is seeking results-oriented people - talented, strategic, and innovative team players who have an unwavering commitment to excellence in all that they do.

We are now hiring for:

• Director of Data Management
• Director of Development
• Manager, Legislative Affairs
• Veterans Services Associate

We at NHPCO are a dedicated group of professionals who are committed to excellence, appreciate and foster a sense of humor, and embrace change and team play as essential to success. We care about the work we do and the difference that we make. This is your chance to make a difference, too.

NHPCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Visit the NHPCO website to learn more.

Top Five Reasons to Attend IDC 2018

NHPCO shares five reasons to demonstrate the value of the upcoming Interdisciplinary Team Conference 2018 in New Orleans, November 5 - 7 (with preconference offerings on Nov. 3 & 4).

1.    Information you can put to work today from experts in the field.
There is no other hospice and palliative care conference for members of the IDT that provides the depth of information specific to professionals in our field. With more than 40 concurrent sessions, choose your areas of focus that will be the most beneficial to your work and program.

2.    Plenaries featuring industry leaders, innovators and inspirational speakers.
From focusing on hospice bereavement programs responding to the opioid crisis to a physician addressing the "myth" of patient-centered care. Also hear from an acclaimed author on the importance of creativity in professional growth.

3.    Robust preconference offerings allow you to take a deep dive into areas important to you.
With tools for you to take home and practical how-to's, make the most of your conference experience. From the inaugural Hospice Compliance Certificate Program to precons or indepth seminars on pediatric care, building and sustaining a community-based palliative care program and billing, and the ever popular Hospice Manager Development Program.

4.    Networking and professional development opportunities.
Through networking breaks, the exhibit hall and NHCPP lunches there are a myriad of ways to connect with your peers. This conference is a great opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with colleagues who know your challenges and are striving for solutions.

5.    Visiting New Orleans, Louisiana.
In one of America's most historic and unique cities, the IDC venue is on the edge of the French Quarter and moments from the Garden District. Enjoy the local food and music to make your time off or visit memorable.

See the full list and concurrent sessions, plenary speakers, preconference offerings and more on the IDC 2018 website. 

My Hospice: A Butterfly to Remember

What My Hospice means is different to each individual and family being cared for. As Medicare’s first coordinated care model, we must protect the Medicare Hospice Benefit for the families in need of bereavement care.

At AseraCare, the support for the family members of hospice patients extends beyond their death.

Butterflies are known as a symbol of transformation, hope, life, and spirit. Hospices across the country hold butterfly releases to help those who are grieving, remember and honor their loved ones. Another way hospice helps care and nurture their families and the communities they serve.



Thank you, AseraCare Hospice, for sharing your event with us!

We invite you to keep promoting the power of hospice by joining the My Hospice campaign. Please consider sharing this post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter or share your My Hospice story with us.

Inviting Seasoned Leadership and Management Experts

NHPCO is seeking proposals designed to advance the knowledge, competence and performance of hospice and palliative care leadership and management professionals for the 2019 Management and Leadership Conference (April 15 – 17, 2019 in Washington DC).

Over 60% of participants in NHPCO’s annual Management and Leadership Conference have 11+ years of professional experience in the hospice and palliative care field. That is why we seek proposals at the intermediate to advanced learning levels to challenge, inspire and motivate the field’s leaders as well as to develop new leaders.

Intermediate to advanced learning level proposals in one of these key areas will be seriously considered for inclusion:

• Clinical and Operations Management
• Emerging Markets and Partnership Opportunities
• Engagement and Marketing
• Finance and IT
• Fund Development
• Leadership
• Palliative Care
• Public Policy
• Quality
• Regulatory
• Staff Development/Excellence 

Trying to drill down to a specific topic? These suggestions may help (PDF).

Visit the call for proposals submission page for more details. The deadline to submit your proposal online is Friday, August 24; don’t delay!