Eli's Hospice Insider

The hospice industry is getting a bad rap in a widely read national newspaper.

USA Today ran an article profiling VITAS and Gentiva Health Services Inc.'s $1.2 billion lobbying bill so far this year. The newspaper says the "for-profit hospice organizations ... [are] lobbying to prevent Medicare from reducing payments to try to curb the soaring cost of hospice care."

And USA Today highlights the Hospice Action Network, which has enlisted at least four lobbying firms and has spent $607,476. HAN is the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's advocacy affiliate, the network explains on its website.

Plus: Earlier in the month month, USA Today ran an article profiling fraud and abuse charges leveled against VITAS and Gentiva and covering Medicare's increased spending on the benefit.