As the piece says “A growing body of research demonstrates that palliative care delivered through a broad range of models and care settings improves quality of life, quality of care, and in doing so, reduces hospital costs. Growing attention to best care of high-risk high-cost persons with complex and serious illness in the wake of the Affordable Care Act has resulted in considerable interest in improving access to palliative care for this population.”
“At the end of 2014, 67 percent of U.S. hospitals with more than 50 beds provide palliative care services, up from 15 percent in 1998 and 53 percent in 2006.”
“Gaps in access persist, however, associated with geography, hospital ownership, hospital size, and other hospital characteristics.”
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