A cause I can truly get behind.
Leaving this post wide open, unlocked for the world to see in hopes that it might get to a few more people.
I have started working for Hospice Care. The first week was rough, people come here to die...kinda depressing right? This is week two and I've seen the layers peel away as I understand more and more what this organization is, what they do and the gift they give to those in the last stages of life. And it's not just "Old" people. Newborn babies are here, teenagers and seniors.
We received this email today: (sorry for not cutting this, I feel it's too important to hide behind a cut.)
"Dear Staff & Volunteers,
Last night, long-time health care leader and end-of-life care champion, Senator Ron Wyden, started the process to provide relief to hospice from the productivity cuts associated with health care reform. Here's what happened:
Senator Wyden was recognized to speak, and he began offering an amendment to relieve hospice from the devastating productivity cuts. He spoke of hospice as, "dollar for dollar, there is no better investment in American health care" and a "lifeline for American families."
He talked about our responsible 3% margins and said that the impact of the cuts included in the package would be devastating on the industry, particularly in rural areas and underserved urban areas. He told his colleagues on the Finance Committee that they would be hearing from their hospice programs about the impact of the cuts.
At that point, Chairman Baucus interrupted him and said that they needed time to review his amendment and asked that he work with the staff to more fully understand it. He promised that they would revisit the issue.
This is where we come in. The Wyden hospice amendment could be reconsidered as early as this morning. We need you to contact your Senators now to register their support for the hospice amendment.
Senator Wyden has started the process with a roar, but we still have a long way to go! Contact your Senators today, and let them know that hospice is depending on them to preserve access to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care for all Americans.
Visit this link to take action. Everything is filled out for you and it only takes two minutes:
http://capwiz.com/nhpco/issues/alert/?alertid=14077156&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
Thank you,
Director of Public Affairs
My direct supervisor breaks it down to more detailed numbers in her following email.
Hi Staff, this is just to second, third and fourth the request below!!!!
Unfortunately the elimination of the BNAP (Budget Neutrality Act) will cause hospices across the country receive between 11-12% less in Medicare reimbursement over the next several years versus small increases to offset increasing salaries, medical equipment and pharmaceutical costs to name a few. There is nothing we can do about these decreases.
The current proposals before the House and Senate would cut hospice Medicare reimbursement by another 11-13% based upon a “productivity” model. As you know we operate on a per diem model and are not reimbursed more for more visits, more morphine, more equipment, more treatment, etc. Hospice just doesn’t fit the formula they are considering AND these cuts would be on top of the BNAF cuts with the total amounting to a 20-25% cut in our Medicare reimbursement. Remember that 85% of our revenue comes from Medicare!
So please do as Dan suggests NOW. It truly takes two minutes. If you are inclined call our representatives, senators or Obama!!!!! Let’s show we can squeak load and clear for our patients and their families!
Working for Hospice Care has shown me that this is a very needed part in life. Hospice Care is a place where people can finish out their life with dignity, respect and surrounded by their loved ones and people who care.
These types of organizations need all the protection from budget cuts that they can get as they are all not for profit, operating on funding from Medicaid, the government, and private donations.
I hope you'll help show support with me.
I have started working for Hospice Care. The first week was rough, people come here to die...kinda depressing right? This is week two and I've seen the layers peel away as I understand more and more what this organization is, what they do and the gift they give to those in the last stages of life. And it's not just "Old" people. Newborn babies are here, teenagers and seniors.
We received this email today: (sorry for not cutting this, I feel it's too important to hide behind a cut.)
"Dear Staff & Volunteers,
Last night, long-time health care leader and end-of-life care champion, Senator Ron Wyden, started the process to provide relief to hospice from the productivity cuts associated with health care reform. Here's what happened:
Senator Wyden was recognized to speak, and he began offering an amendment to relieve hospice from the devastating productivity cuts. He spoke of hospice as, "dollar for dollar, there is no better investment in American health care" and a "lifeline for American families."
He talked about our responsible 3% margins and said that the impact of the cuts included in the package would be devastating on the industry, particularly in rural areas and underserved urban areas. He told his colleagues on the Finance Committee that they would be hearing from their hospice programs about the impact of the cuts.
At that point, Chairman Baucus interrupted him and said that they needed time to review his amendment and asked that he work with the staff to more fully understand it. He promised that they would revisit the issue.
This is where we come in. The Wyden hospice amendment could be reconsidered as early as this morning. We need you to contact your Senators now to register their support for the hospice amendment.
Senator Wyden has started the process with a roar, but we still have a long way to go! Contact your Senators today, and let them know that hospice is depending on them to preserve access to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care for all Americans.
Visit this link to take action. Everything is filled out for you and it only takes two minutes:
http://capwiz.com/nhpco/issues/alert/?alertid=14077156&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
Thank you,
Director of Public Affairs
My direct supervisor breaks it down to more detailed numbers in her following email.
Hi Staff, this is just to second, third and fourth the request below!!!!
Unfortunately the elimination of the BNAP (Budget Neutrality Act) will cause hospices across the country receive between 11-12% less in Medicare reimbursement over the next several years versus small increases to offset increasing salaries, medical equipment and pharmaceutical costs to name a few. There is nothing we can do about these decreases.
The current proposals before the House and Senate would cut hospice Medicare reimbursement by another 11-13% based upon a “productivity” model. As you know we operate on a per diem model and are not reimbursed more for more visits, more morphine, more equipment, more treatment, etc. Hospice just doesn’t fit the formula they are considering AND these cuts would be on top of the BNAF cuts with the total amounting to a 20-25% cut in our Medicare reimbursement. Remember that 85% of our revenue comes from Medicare!
So please do as Dan suggests NOW. It truly takes two minutes. If you are inclined call our representatives, senators or Obama!!!!! Let’s show we can squeak load and clear for our patients and their families!
Working for Hospice Care has shown me that this is a very needed part in life. Hospice Care is a place where people can finish out their life with dignity, respect and surrounded by their loved ones and people who care.
These types of organizations need all the protection from budget cuts that they can get as they are all not for profit, operating on funding from Medicaid, the government, and private donations.
I hope you'll help show support with me.