The Value of Nonprofit Hospice Services: A Closer Look at For-Profit Hospice Care
Hospice care plays a crucial role in providing compassionate support to individuals during their final stage of life, ensuring comfort, dignity, and peace. However, recent research has raised concerns about the growing dominance of for-profit hospices, many of which are owned by private equity firms and publicly traded companies. A study by Weill Cornell Medicine, published in JAMA in November 2024, found that for-profit hospices perform substantially worse than nonprofit ones, particularly in patient communication, symptom management, and emotional support. This is troubling, as nearly 75% of hospices in the U.S. are for-profit, raising questions about the quality of care patients receive in their final days.
The study analyzed data from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), which surveyed caregivers of hospice patients from 2021 to 2022. Of the 2,676 hospices included, about 75% were for-profit, with 25% owned by private equity firms or publicly traded companies. The research found that nonprofit hospices consistently provided the highest-rated care in critical areas like pain management, family support, and emotional care. In contrast, for-profit hospices performed worse across several key care measures, including hospitalization rates and patient discharges. These findings point to a growing concern: that the increasing prevalence of for-profit ownership could undermine the quality of care at a time when patients and families need it the most.
Nonprofit hospices can focus on patient well-being over financial considerations. This is evident in organizations that emphasize a holistic approach to care, offering both skilled nursing and emotional, spiritual, and family support. Community Nursing Services (CNS) provides care based on patient needs rather than profit margins. Like many nonprofit hospices, CNS’s approach centers on compassion and a commitment to ensuring that patients and their families receive the highest standard of care, regardless of financial constraints.
The Weill Cornell study underscores the importance of nonprofit hospices in delivering quality care, especially for vulnerable populations like Medicare patients, who comprise most hospice users. With the trend toward for-profit hospices rising, it is crucial to recognize the value of nonprofit organizations that remain dedicated to compassionate, patient-centered care. Supporting such organizations helps ensure patients receive the dignity and comfort they deserve in their final days.