HOSPICE: A key alternative

As Idahoans watch the future of Medicare being debated as an election issue this year, we are reminded that we need to enhance care for a growing number of our older citizens — especially near the end of their lives — even as we look for better ways to control Medicare costs. I believe hospice can help address these challenges by providing holistic care for elderly patients and their families. It is also a more compassionate and potentially less costly alternative to dying in a hospital ICU.

With the number of Idahoans who are age 65 and older expected to increase more than 147 percent between 2000 and 2030, the need for high-quality and cost-effective end-of-life care will be more important than ever.

Hospice needs more support and, fortunately, senior citizens are getting help from Sen. Mike Crapo and other members of Congress. They are backing federal legislation, known as the HELP Act, which would maintain access to hospice care and promote better safeguards to ensure that only quality providers are eligible to deliver Medicare hospice services. It would also help the approximately 40 hospice providers in Idaho to deliver even better services to their patients and families.

As a health-care professional, I want to thank Sen. Crapo for his support and urge older Idahoans and their families to do the same.

KIM CARROLL

Coeur d’Alene