NY-Individual

It seems that at a time when our country is in such a mess, especially our
healthcare system, that the only shining star is the increased use of hospice
services to those that so need it. At such a difficult time in a family's life, hospice
makes a tremendous difference for all involved. Our hospice home care staff drive
approximately one million miles per year, which is becoming more difficult, given
the rising gas prices. With the proposed reduction in hospice reimbursement, we
are selling our patient population short of such a specialized care delivery and we
will absolutely see more patient's dying in pain, in hospitals and without any
control over the end of their life, equaling lack of quality. This destroys all the
strides we have made making hospice care more accessable, educating not only
the medical community, but raising awareness and knowledge of the American
people. There is no where else people can receive such a comprehensive,
specialized care for themselves and their family's. Everyone at CMS needs to put
themselves in the shoes of a recipient or family member of hospice care,
remember it eventually will touch each of your lives in one way or another. Now,
think about it, do you want to look back on your loved one's end of life with peace
in knowing they controlled their end of life, or would you prefer to live the rest of
your life with regrets, because due to reimbursement reductions this care wasn't
available. I think the choice is quite clear, don't you? Please do the right thing for
everyone involved, it makes such a difference!