How The Drive For Profits Changed Hospice Care In America

Hospice in America has become a big business. The hospice movement came to the U.S. from England in the 1960s, promising comfort and compassion at the end of life. Today, half of all Americans die in hospice care. But what was once a mission-driven sector run by not-for-profit organizations has become a booming industry – one that some experts say too often prioritizes profit over patients. In a piece for The New Yorker, ProPublica’s Ava Kofman traces how this transformation happened. She points to lax regulations and a Medicare payment system that is easily exploited by companies looking to make a buck. Diane talked to Kofman about her reporting on rampant fraud, harm to patients, and what can be done about it.