Commentary: New York must act now to protect quality hospice care |
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When your loved one is entering the final stage of their life, who would you rather manage their care: a nonprofit solely dedicated to providing the highest quality care possible? Or a private entity seeking to maximize profits?
For us, it is obvious. Hospice is, by its very nature, a deeply personal and sensitive journey. It demands individualized attention, with a primary focus on ensuring patient comfort and dignity, not on generating revenue.
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However, for-profit hospices now account for 70% of the market, up from 5% 35 years ago. This comes despite studies showing that for-profit hospices provide fewer essential services, employ less skilled staff, receive a higher volume of complaints and contribute less to their communities than their nonprofit counterparts. Furthermore, family caregivers