Older Women’s League Calls for Expanded Hospice Benefit
August 27, 2010 - Reports & Studies
Women, usually having the caregiving responsibility for people who need long-term services and supports, “are often called upon to be the proxy decision maker” for their loved ones near the end of life, according to the National Older Women’s League (OWL) May 2010 report, “End-of-Life Choices: Who Decides?” The current hospice benefits provides coverage for six months after two doctors certify that a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less. OWL wants to increase “Medicare and Medicaid coverage of end-of-life care from six months to 18 months, and allow patients to pursue both curative and palliative treatments concurrently,” the report said.
The expenses associated with counseling patients and families about end-of-life choices: should be covered by “Medicaid, Medicare and other public and private health insurance.” the report said.