Jim's Notebook: Big Deals, New Leaders, ACO Optimism
The big news this week was the $1.1B acquisition of Enhabit by Kinderhook Industries. Check out 3 takeaways from me and the great reporting on this from HSPN’s Holly Vossel.
If you missed my post on MedPAC’s latest recommendations, check it out. Spoiler alert: I am not supportive of the commission’s recommendations for hospice rate freezes.
Jennifer Sheets’ first interview
I was honored to conduct the first interview that Jennifer Sheets did after taking the helm at the National Alliance for Care at Home. Some key takeaways from me from that interview were:
Under Jennifer’s leadership, the Alliance is extending its programs across the home-based case continuum. For example, the We Honor Veterans program – currently designed for hospices – will soon include home health.
Jennifer’s multifaceted experience makes her uniquely well-positioned to lead the Alliance, including her work as a bedside clinician, a hospice and home health CEO and as a board member for the Alliance and its affiliate, the Research Institute for Home Care.
Alivia Care optimism
I also recently spoke with Alivia Care CEO Susan Ponder Stansel about getting more invested in ACO models. I was struck by how optimistic she is about the potential for Alivia in new models like LEAD. The history of ACOs is full of disappointments, and it remains to be seen whether CMS is applying lessons learned here, to enable this new model to fulfill its potential – I have little doubt that Susan’s optimism is warranted. Check out the full story here.
Palliative care demand surge
A news item that caught my eye today was this announcement of palliative care expansion at Hollywood Health Systems, citing “record demand.”
I’d love to hear from anyone who also is seeing a surge in demand for palliative care, or who has any reactions to the information that Hollywood shared about the role of palliative care in an integrated continuum! Leave a comment here or shoot me an email!
Lastly, here’s a photo of what’s been keeping me warm this week in Chicago, while I impatiently await spring (my fire sword):
