Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) proudly signed on to proposed bill (A.6032) aiming to amend the Public Health Law regarding the establishment, incorporation, or increase of the capacity of for-profit hospices in New York.

Working with nonprofit hospice organizations for many years, Maher takes comfort in knowing that all business deals and the care provided are guided by the best interests of patients and families, not profit. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, this proposal is almost at the finish line having passed all committees, Maher expressed the urgency for this proposal to be passed in the final hours of session.

“The nonprofit hospice industry is not on an even playing field, competing with for-profit entities that, at the end of the day, are motivated by financial gain. I strongly commend New York state for implementing significant guardrails to protect patients and families,” said Maher. “It is time to further safeguard vulnerable New Yorkers. Instead of allowing more for-profit hospice care centers in an effort to meet the needs of our community, we should be investing more in the expansion of nonprofit hospice organizations that have a proven track record. The New York State Assembly has a crucial bill on the floor that needs to reach a vote in these final days of session.”

“Hospice care is best provided when we focus on quality outcomes and patient and family satisfaction - not corporate greed. We must protect the vulnerable who depend on us in their final months and days. I commend Assemblyman Maher for becoming a cosponsor of this vital legislation and urge all members of the Assembly and Senate to support this bipartisan effort in the final days of this year’s legislative session,” said Sandi Cassese, executive director Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties.

The hospice industry began with small, nonprofit providers dedicated to caring for the dying and ensuring they faced the end of life with dignity. However, the industry has evolved in ways that may have outpaced the preparedness of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Currently, for-profit hospices dominate the industry, with Wall Street-driven entities acquiring nonprofit agencies and consolidating them into large chains with hundreds of locations. For-profit hospice agencies report profit margins three times as high as those earned by nonprofits, and research indicates the quantity and quality of care suffer in for-profit hospices compared to nonprofit providers.

“Once again, I am proud to support common-sense, bipartisan legislation. Working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, we can protect some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers and their families.”