IT COSTS MORE TO CUT HOSPICE

The legislature is meeting now to decide how to deal with the state’s $2.3 billion deficit. Many beneficial programs will be cut – the legislature has no other choice.

One of the proposed cuts is to eliminate the Medicaid payment for hospice care. A recently released study by the Moran Company proved that the state would incur at least $3.7 million in additional costs – and possibly more -- if the Medicaid Hospice Benefit were cut.

Each year Hospice of Palm Beach County provides care for more than 6,000 patients, of which over 5% receive Medicaid for this care. Hospice is for patients facing a life threatening illness. They receive a range of medical, spiritual and social services at home instead of costly medical treatments provided in hospitals and emergency rooms.

The real tragedy is the quality of care that our community’s citizens stand to lose. Hospice care is comprehensive and all inclusive. One daily fee covers every home visit by nurses, certified nursing assistants, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, physicians, music and integrative therapists and community-based volunteers. The fee also includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, medical equipment and medical supplies.

Families of dying patients often face non-medical crises as well. The Medicaid patient and family also may face poverty, estrangement, and even homelessness. Hospice of Palm Beach County and other hospice programs provide social service support and professional case management. This helps the patient and family as well as over-burdened social service agencies.

Florida is not the first state to consider cutting Medicaid hospice benefits as a way to save money. Illinois and Connecticut have had to reinstate the Medicaid payment for hospice, because they found it too costly otherwise.

Hospice is the proven high-quality, low-cost, patient-focused approach to caring for those in the last months of life. Hospice care is a benefit that should be available to all Floridians.

David Ralicki Chairman Hospice of Palm Beach County

David Fielding President and CEO Hospice of Palm Beach County

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