Health Advocates React To Hospice Medicaid Cuts

S.C. Lawmakers Cut Medicaid Hospice Benefits From Budget

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The hospice mission is to serve all, regardless of ability to pay -- but that may become a bigger challenge to fulfill for hospice groups statewide.

In efforts to save money, South Carolina state lawmakers decided to cut Medicaid hospice benefits -- a move that will force dying patients to fend for themselves.

Home care is just one of the many daily services hospice provides. But after February 28, Flora Ann Brown and others who are terminally ill will no longer have hospice benefits through Medicaid.

"What will happen to them if Medicaid is taken out?" said Brown's guardian, Elaine Burdette. "Will some lose their lives, have shorter lives, because they are not getting the care they need?"

The Department of Health and Human Services was forced to cut $137 million last year. By cutting Medicaid hospice benefits, it's expected to save nearly $16 million.

"These are people if we were not involved with them they would probably end up in emergency rooms or ICUs, because they wouldn't have the care needed in their home," said Pam Melbourne, president of the Hospice of the Upstate.

Melbourne said Medicaid pays an average of $130 a day per patient for hospice care. If those same patients went to the hospital for care, Medicaid would pay $1,300 a day.

"You're not eliminating the cost, just transferring it somewhere else," Melbourne said.

"It's hard knowing there are people out there who need our service, want our service, but have to make a decision whether or not to take our services," said registered nurse Christie Dove, of the Hospice of the Upstate.

There is a resolution calling on the state to stop the Medicaid cuts. The measure passed unanimously in the House, and is now in a senate committee.

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