Alliance For Care At The End Oflife

TO PROVIDE A MORE AGGRESSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE ADVOCACY VOICE THAT WILL SERVE THE ENTIRE FIELD AND ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS - THOSE NEARING THE END OF LIFE.

HAN CONTINUED TO SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE AND RESOURCE FOR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT 2021. WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW ADMINISTRATION, HAN SET OUT THE YEAR BY IDENTIFYING AND ADVOCATING TO THE WHITE HOUSE ON KEY POLICY PRIORITIES, INCLUDING PROTECTING PATIENTS AND FAMILIES, INNOVATING HOW SERIOUS-ILLNESS CARE IS PROVIDED, AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE. AS THE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE COMMUNITY CONTINUED TO GRAPPLE WITH THE PANDEMIC, HAN SUCCESSFULLY MOBILIZED GRASSROOTS ADVOCATES TO PROTECT PROVIDER RELIEF FUNDS FROM REAPPROPRIATION AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT, SECURED TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF THE 2% MEDICARE SEQUESTER MORATORIUM FOR THREE ADDITIONAL MONTHS INTO 2022, AND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE AVENUES FOR EXTENDED OR PERMANENT TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES. THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 TASK FORCE, HHS, AND FEMA, NHPCO CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR PRIORITIZATION OF HOSPICE PROVIDERS AND THE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE FOR VACCINES. HAN AND NHPCO'S ADVOCACY ALSO RESULTED IN SEVERAL KEY CHANGES IN CMS'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOSPICE ACT, INCLUDING SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS FOR NEW ADMISSIONS ONLY, DELAYED CREATION OF THE SPECIAL FOCUS PROGRAM UNTIL A TECHNICAL EXPERT PANEL IS CONVENED, AND UPDATED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS SURVEYOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST. HAN CONTINUED TO WORK WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED PALLIATIVE CARE DEMONSTRATION AT CMMI; THIS INCLUDED CHAMPIONING THE INTRODUCTION OF S. 2565, THE EXPANDING ACCESS TO PALLIATIVE CARE ACT, AND A HOUSE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A DEMONSTRATION. HAN HELD A VIRTUAL FLY-IN WITH OVER 160 ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY MEETING WITH OVER 200 OFFICES INCLUDING 20 MEMBER-LEVEL MEETINGS SUPPORTING INCREASED ACCESS TO HOSPICE, TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES, AND A COMMUNITY BASED PALLIATIVE CARE MODEL. OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED CONTINUING TO SPEARHEAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BILL TO FUND BEREAVEMENT CARE AND IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO PASS LANGUAGE FROM THE PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT, WHICH WAS SUCCESSFULLY INCLUDED IN A HOUSE VERSION OF THE BUILD BACK BETTER RECONCILIATION PACKAGE.