Nevada Assembly Considers AB 161 to Protect Hospice Patients from Fraud and Abuse
May 16, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened on May 15, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding hospice care in Nevada. The meeting highlighted alarming trends in the state's hospice industry, particularly the rise of for-profit providers and the subsequent decline in care quality for vulnerable patients.
Dr. [Name], a physician with over 20 years of experience in Nevada, opened the discussion by sharing personal experiences with hospice care, emphasizing the emotional toll on families during end-of-life conversations. He noted a significant increase in the number of hospices in Clark County, which surged from approximately 70 to over 270 in just five years. This influx, he argued, has led to rampant fraud and abuse, with many new providers exploiting regulatory loopholes to maximize profits at the expense of patient care.
Dr. [Name] detailed several concerning practices, including patients being signed up for hospice without their knowledge and inadequate staffing leading to neglect. He described a disturbing trend where patients are transferred to other hospices at critical moments, undermining the continuity of care that is essential during the dying process.
In response to these issues, Dan Musgrove from Nathan Adelson Hospice presented Assembly Bill 161, which aims to establish a patient's bill of rights in hospice care. The bill seeks to ensure that patients and their families are informed about their rights and the services they should receive. Key provisions include requiring informed consent for treatments and providing clear contact information for families to voice concerns.
Committee members expressed support for the bill, recognizing the urgent need for reform in the hospice sector. Questions were raised about the bill's alignment with regulations in other states, particularly in light of California's moratorium on new hospice licenses due to similar concerns.
The committee concluded with a commitment to further explore the issues raised and the potential for additional regulations to ensure the safety and dignity of hospice patients in Nevada. The discussions underscored a growing recognition of the need for systemic change in the state's approach to end-of-life care, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.
Dr. [Name], a physician with over 20 years of experience in Nevada, opened the discussion by sharing personal experiences with hospice care, emphasizing the emotional toll on families during end-of-life conversations. He noted a significant increase in the number of hospices in Clark County, which surged from approximately 70 to over 270 in just five years. This influx, he argued, has led to rampant fraud and abuse, with many new providers exploiting regulatory loopholes to maximize profits at the expense of patient care.
Dr. [Name] detailed several concerning practices, including patients being signed up for hospice without their knowledge and inadequate staffing leading to neglect. He described a disturbing trend where patients are transferred to other hospices at critical moments, undermining the continuity of care that is essential during the dying process.
In response to these issues, Dan Musgrove from Nathan Adelson Hospice presented Assembly Bill 161, which aims to establish a patient's bill of rights in hospice care. The bill seeks to ensure that patients and their families are informed about their rights and the services they should receive. Key provisions include requiring informed consent for treatments and providing clear contact information for families to voice concerns.
Committee members expressed support for the bill, recognizing the urgent need for reform in the hospice sector. Questions were raised about the bill's alignment with regulations in other states, particularly in light of California's moratorium on new hospice licenses due to similar concerns.
The committee concluded with a commitment to further explore the issues raised and the potential for additional regulations to ensure the safety and dignity of hospice patients in Nevada. The discussions underscored a growing recognition of the need for systemic change in the state's approach to end-of-life care, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting