Moving the Mindset on Equitable Access to Serious Illness Care
An article in Hospice News highlights how health equity efforts in serious illness care continue to face significant challenges, from workforce shortages and reimbursement pressures to broader pullbacks on diversity and inclusion initiatives. At the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care, hosted by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, leaders including Dr. Kimberly Curseen emphasized the need for more patient-centered, flexible models of care that better reflect the needs and values of underserved communities. CAPC’s Senior Director of Health Equity, Brittany Chambers, highlighted the importance of policy reform, particularly expanding access to concurrent care models that allow patients to receive disease-directed treatment alongside supportive care services. Speakers underscored that designing systems around those facing the greatest barriers ultimately improves access and quality for everyone.