Since 1978, Hospice of the Bluegrass has provided quality end of life care to terminally ill patients and their families using a comprehensive spectrum of care-- from palliative outpatient services to in home medical services to family and community support. Grief and bereavement services extend to family members, caregivers and anyone in grief whether or not their loved one was a hospice patient.
Hospice of the Bluegrass interdisciplinary team members work in 32 northern, central and southeastern KY counties operating from twelve sites. To show commitment to quality service, Hospice of the Bluegrass has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and certification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Hospice of the Bluegrass is proud to be a national leader in hospice and palliative education; coordinating one of six Palliative Care Leadership Centers in the entire United States.
Remembering Dr. Sandlin
Dear Friends,
As you may have heard, Dr. Sandlin was fatally shot on Tuesday, December 8 in his clinic near Hazard. This is a tragic and difficult loss for not only his family but the entire eastern Kentucky mountain communities. Dr. Sandlin was not only a beloved physician but one of the most supportive and endearing Community Medical Associates for Hospice of the Bluegrass.
He started hospice work in Hazard in 1984 and has been dedicated to his work with us since then. We and the eastern mountain communities saw him as our next leader to carry forth the good work at the new inpatient center and beyond. Please join me in supporting through prayer and thought, all our staff and all those so affected by this tragic loss, especially his family, colleagues and friends.
Todd R. Coté, MD,FAAHPM,FAAFP
Chief Medical Officer
Hospice of the Bluegrass
Advocacy Alert
The Senate leadership released the text of the Manager's Amendment to the health reform proposal legislation. We're happy to report the language includes a scaled down version of the cuts to hospice, similar to the proposal put forth by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) earlier this week.
While hospice community still faces significant reimbursement reductions through health reform, this development represents a necessary first step to minimizing the impact to patients and families before the cuts are enacted in 2013. This progress is a direct result of Hospice Advocacy efforts to protect access to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care. Quite simply, our voice has been heard.
Of course, we still have work to do. The House-passed health reform bill still contains much larger cuts to hospice. We have to make sure that the Senate knows that the hospice community supports the effort to soften the cuts and other provisions to expand access to hospice.
Contact your Senators today to make sure they know that the hospice community is still engaged and asking for their continued support.
Photo credits: Walden Photography: Jim Miller: Keith Harding
