Susan Derse Phillips and Donna Katen-Bahensky: End federal threat to local hospices

February 8, 2010

As reported by the Wisconsin State Journal.

by Susan Derse Phillips and Donna Katen-Bahensky

HospiceCare Inc., nationally recognized for its comprehensive and compassionate care, is a community-based hospice supporting more than 600 patients and their families throughout south-central Wisconsin. The employees and trained volunteers start each day with one goal — to help patients live life more fully.

Unfortunately, federal budget-cutters seeking to eliminate fraud and waste have inadvertently created a situation jeopardizing the future of HospiceCare and other community-owned and nonprofit hospices.

This situation results from Washington’s reaction to many “outlier” hospices owned and operated by corporate conglomerates. While there are ethically-run organizations among large corporations, the outliers have repeatedly been cited for inferior care, fraud, waste and bilking Medicare.

In contrast, studies show appropriate hospice care reduces overall Medicare spending while lengthening patients’ lives by a month on average.

Fortunately, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold has taken a leadership role in the fight to keep community hospices viable. Recently the HospiceCare board met with Feingold to seek his help. Through his bipartisan efforts and with the support of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, the plight of community hospices has been brought to the attention of Congress.

The coming years will determine the future of community-based hospices. Contact members of Congress and ask them to protect and ensure the viability of community hospices in Wisconsin and across the nation.

— Susan Derse Phillips, president and CEO, HospiceCare Inc.; and Donna Katen-Bahensky, president and CEO, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics