The Medicare Hospice Benefit's Origins: Lessons on End-of-Life Caregiving

The authors investigate the origins and implications of the Medicare Hospice Benefit established in 1982, particularly how it has shaped end-of-life caregiving. They highlight the tension between the benefit's intent to control healthcare costs and the resulting limitations on caregiving support for patients and their informal caregivers. The paper raises critical questions about the responsibilities of payers in providing adequate caregiving support and the role of facilities in offering custodial care at the end of life.