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Act today
Hosparus offers a wide range of services, but we try to make it easy to use them. If you are ready to take action today, this page can be your starting point. The links at the side and the top of the page lead to our permanent menu of act-today options.
Tell Congress 'No' to 15 percent cut in hospice rates
- Administration seeks 15 percent cut in hospice rates.
- Contact your congressional representative today! Your voice matters!
- See essay, "Step up, say no to hospice cuts", by Hosparus CEO Phillip L. Marshall.
(March 28, 2008) - According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the most recent budget package sent to Congress specifically asked for drastic cuts in hospice reimbursement rates. Together, two proposed approaches would cut rates in excess of 15 percent. Such an action, if approved by Congress, would cut hospice reimbursement by more than $5 billion.
This cut would dramatically impact the care that hospices around the country, including Hosparus – The Community Hospices of Louisville, Southern Indiana and Central Kentucky – can provide to those who need us most. To learn more about this proposed cut, you can go to http://capwiz.com/nhpco/home/.
Hosparus, a non-profit organization, has delivered care through Hospice of Louisville, Hospice of Southern Indiana and Hospice of Central Kentucky for 30 years. With your help, we can ensure the long-term viability of hospice care in our region.
Please consider contacting your congressional representative today. If you’re not sure who that is, visit www.votesmart.org. You’ll see a prompt where you can type in your ZIP code. After entering your ZIP code, about midway down the page you’ll see the heading “Current Officials Congressional.”
Many have already asked us for a sample letter for their church or civic group. Below is an example letter for your use. Feel free to customize this piece by telling your own hospice story. We encourage you to ask friends and family to get involved.
Together, we can make a difference!
Sample letter:
Download this example letter as a Microsoft Word document.
March 25, 2008
The Honorable (John Doe)
ADDRESS – LOCAL OR WASHINGTON
Dear Senator (Doe)/ Representative (Doe):
Hospice care is provided by a team of professionals including physicians, nurses, social workers and spiritual caregivers who work together to bring quality of life to individuals facing a life-limiting illness. Just last year, Hosparus – The Community Hospices of Louisville, Southern Indiana and Central Kentucky – provided quality, care, comfort and support to more than 4,000 patients and their families. I embrace the mission of Hosparus, a non-profit organization that has delivered care through Hospice of Louisville, Hospice of Southern Indiana and Hospice of Central Kentucky for 30 years.
I urge you to protect the Medicare hospice reimbursement rates. The Administration’s budget proposal contains a number of proposed reductions to the reimbursement structure for hospice programs. The most recent budget package sent to Congress specifically asked for drastic cuts in hospice reimbursement rates. Together, two proposed approaches would cut rates in excess of 15 percent. Such an action, if approved by Congress, would cut hospice reimbursement by more than $5 billion. Any cuts to the Medicare Hospice Benefit would mean drastic changes for our community’s hospice program and could limit access to our high-quality form of care to residents of (city), Kentucky or Indiana.
While you and your colleagues continue work on the federal budget proposal, I ask for your continued support for Hosparus. I urge you to oppose any cuts to hospice reimbursement.
I respectfully ask you to reject any proposal that would impose cuts to the Medicare hospice reimbursement rates.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
