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| A Betrayal of Dignity: For-Profit Predators Plundering America's Hospice System |
The American Dream of a peaceful departure crumbles as profit-driven vultures infiltrate and exploit hospice care, leaving the terminally ill abandoned and suffering.
Imagine your final days. Not filled with fear and pain, but with comfort, dignity, and compassionate care. This is the promise of hospice, a sanctuary for those nearing the end. Yet, a dark reality lurks beneath this noble mission. America's hospice system, increasingly run by profit-fueled corporations, is failing its most vulnerable at their most critical moment.
The hospice movement, born from selfless care, flourished in the US, offering solace in patients' homes. Then came the 80s, with Medicare funding. Suddenly, vultures smelled opportunity. For-profit entities swarmed, transforming this sacred service into a lucrative industry. Today, three-quarters of hospices operate for profit, fueled by private equity giants and publicly traded corporations.
The consequences are chilling. Studies reveal stark differences in care quality. Non-profit hospices, guided by empathy, outperform their profit-driven counterparts in pain management, communication, and timeliness. But for corporations, patients become mere financial metrics.
ProPublica's exposé unveiled a horrifying reality: bribes for patient referrals, fraudulent enrollment, and patient abandonment once Medicare's limit nears. The Merida Group scandal exposed a staggering $150 million Medicare scam, with executives facing prison sentences. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
A recent global evaluation ranked the US a dismal 43rd in end-of-life care, despite its wealth. Meanwhile, the UK, with its predominantly non-profit system, reigns supreme.
There's a light in the darkness. The Center for Economic and Policy Research offers a roadmap to reform: rigorous screening, updated policies to address private equity's influence, and new payment models based on individual needs, not flat fees.
Death is inevitable, but its embrace shouldn't be fueled by greed. We must demand action. Urge policymakers to implement these reforms. Let's reclaim the true essence of hospice – a haven of dignity, comfort, and compassion for all, in their final moments.
Together, we can ensure that America's deathbed isn't stained by profiteering, but adorned with the sacred touch of genuine care.
