NPR

HHS Inspector General Finds Serious Flaws In 20% Of U.S. Hospice Programs

Two new reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have found widespread problems in hospice care and say the government needs to open its scorecards on hospice care to the public.
From 2012 through 2016, federal health inspectors cited 87% of U.S. hospices for deficiencies. And 20% percent had lapses serious enough to endanger patients, according to two new reports from the HHS Inspector General's office.

We all hope for some peace and comfort at the end of life. Hospices are designed to make that possible, relieving pain and providing emotional and spiritual support. But two new government studies released Tuesday morning find that the vast majority of hospices have sometimes failed to do that.

And there's no easy way for consumers to distinguish the good hospices

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