GOSHEN – On the steps of United Hospice in the Village of Goshen Wednesday, local officials joined a passionate contingent of hospice advocates with a clear message to Governor Kathy Hochul – sign current legislation banning applications aimed at establishing for-profit hospice centers and entities.
Cara Pace, CEO of United Hospice. said that data shows for-profit hospices admit fewer patients, decreased nursing visits, and significantly less social worker and other various therapy visits. She said that a bill prohibiting the applications of such for-profit entities has passed both houses of state government with bi-partisan support.
“The only way for-profit providers can make money in this non-profit space is to provide less care,” said Pace. “We need to protect the intent of Medicare hospice benefits and reject the for-profit hospices trying to get into our state.”