NHPCO NewsLine December 2013 - (Page 3)

Let These Members Be Your Guide W hile hospice was founded on the spirit of collaboration, working together has often been a challenge. In recent years, both competition and significant regulatory challenges have clearly heightened non-productive communication - and this has been a real concern to NHPCO leadership. That said, I am proud to report that this is now changing. As the Hospice Action Network's Tony Kudner notes in his article on "Collective Advocacy," hospices in several states are teaming up to lobby for hospice together. In Texas, for example, five different hospices and the state organization have been working together to get the attention of Senator John Cornyn's office - which is difficult to obtain given his large constituent base. Yet as Tony explains, their collective advocacy is paying off. Hospices in Southern California and Kansas are also each working jointly to bring the message of hospice to their representatives. And what's especially positive is seeing many of our for-profit and non-profit members working side by side. As Mission Hospice's Laura Semmler put it: "When hospices who compete with one another come together and say 'we support this bill' or 'the cuts imposed by sequestration are hurting us,' our representatives listen." How do you go about joining them? NHPCO's Hospice Action Network (HAN) can help you hone your advocacy skills and put you in touch with other hospices in your area. Email the team at info@nhpcohan.org, and be sure to visit the HAN website for additional information. Please also consider attending HAN's 2014 Advocacy Intensive in Washington, DC on June 16 and 17. This free event will provide guidance and training as well as assistance with scheduling Hill meetings. It's also an excellent opportunity to network with other providers from your state. The five hospices in Texas, for example, used last year's Intensive to jumpstart the work they completed back home. On behalf of the NHPCO staff and board, my very best wishes for a happy holiday. Why not also make "collective advocacy" a New Year's resolution - and contact the HAN team before January 1! J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO NHPCO NewsLine 3 http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org/han-in-action/han-events/advocacy-intensive/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine December 2013

The Numbers Behind the Faces
A Message From Don
Data to Inform Your Future Work
Collective Advocacy
2014 MLC (display ad)
When Patients and Families are in Denial
Through the Eyes of a Hospice Volunteer
New Research Highlights the High Price of Futile Care
Hospice Hits Times Square
January Innovation Forum
REAL Award Honoring Hospice Staff
When Life Gets Serious (display ad)
ehospice USA (display ad)
Member News and Notes
Download Our Free NewsLine App (display ad)
Simione Consulting (display ad)
Lighthouse of Hope Fund… (display ad)
Compliance Tip
Plan Ahead for 2014 at This Year's Prices (display ad)
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website
A Feel-Good Moment

NHPCO NewsLine December 2013