Good Shepherd Hospice

The state of Florida is facing an unprecedented budget crisis. Our lawmakers will be meeting in special session in early January, where they will need to make difficult decisions to address the pressing needs of our state.

One area of the budget under consideration is the Medicaid hospice benefit. Because of that, I am writing on behalf of some of our most vulnerable citizens, the terminally ill and their families that receive dedicated end of life care from hospice organizations across the state.

The demographics of hospice patients might surprise you. Along with our aging population and cancer patients, hospice organizations also care for children, teens, young and middle-aged adults, heart disease patients, Alzheimer's patients and kidney disease patients. Anyone of any age diagnosed with a terminal illness is able to receive hospice care, where healthcare professionals and trained volunteers address all medical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Along with its compassionate side, hospice care also saves the state money. A recent Dartmouth study shows that hospice care saves the federal Medicare system nearly $3,000 per patient by providing comprehensive end-of-life care in patients' residences. If the Legislature cuts the Medicaid hospice benefit, the state of Florida will undoubtedly incur unseen costs when patients turn to hospitals for their end-of-life care needs.

I strongly urge readers to contact their state senators and representatives to voice their support in retaining the Medicaid hospice benefit. With that intact, citizens of Florida facing life-limiting illnesses can continue to receive fundamental hospice care that provides them dignity and comfort at the end of their lives.

Chris Bredbenner
Executive Director
Good Shepherd Hospice Inc.
Lakeland