Chosen Public Policy:

The public policy I wish to address through my volunteering experience at Hospice of the Valley is elderly healthcare, specifically access to hospice and palliative care services for aging populations.

Findings

Many seniors suffer from serious or terminal illnesses that require consistent physical and emotional support. Hospice programs provide this care, but unfortunately, access remains limited due to a lack of awareness and gaps in policies. According to the University of Michigan Health Lab, “more than half of older adults said they would want palliative care if they had a serious illness, but many did not understand how or when to access it.” This gap between desire and access results in delayed care and missed opportunities for early comfort-focused support.

In addition to awareness issues, funding remains a major policy concern. MIT News found that “hospice care was associated with significantly lower Medicare expenditures and fewer hospital admissions near the end of life.” Despite these proven benefits, hospice programs often struggle with limited funding and staffing shortages. Current healthcare policies fail to invest adequately in hospice care, even though it reduces costs and improves patient outcomes.

Hospice care is especially critical for low-income elderly individuals who may lack access to long-term caregivers or medical guidance. Without hospice services, seniors are more likely to experience unmanaged pain, emotional distress, and repeated hospital visits. Strengthening hospice-related public policy would allow more elderly patients to receive compassionate, effective care aligned with their needs and wishes.

1) Limited Access and Capacity
Having conversations with staff members and my own observations at Hospice of the Valley’s Thunderbird Palliative Care Unit taught me that hospice programs often operate near capacity. As the demand for elderly healthcare increases, facilities and staff are left understaffed, which significantly reduces the number of patients who can receive timely care. Seniors who are referred late or live in underserved areas may never receive hospice services at all, putting them at a disadvantage during the final stages of life.

2) Funding and Resource Constraints
Funding limitations are a major barrier to improving hospice care. Although Medicare covers many hospice services, it does not fully cover the long-term caregiving needs, extended in-home care, or all supportive services. According to MIT News, hospice care reduces Medicare spending by lowering hospital use, yet funding for hospice programs has not expanded accordingly. This mismatch in funding results in staffing shortages, limited facilities, and increased reliance on volunteers and donations to meet patient needs.

3) Awareness and Accessibility Challenges
A lack of public education continues to limit access to hospice care. A lot of families delay a loved one’s hospice enrollment due to misconceptions or fear surrounding end-of-life care. Misunderstanding the hospice process can lead to missed opportunities for early comfort-based support. Without clear guidance from healthcare providers or public education initiatives, there is a chance that elderly patients and their families can struggle to understand their care options.

Issues on Elderly Healthcare Policy

Sources Used.

University of Michigan Health Lab.
“Palliative Care and Hospice Poll Reveal Major Gaps.”

https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/palliative-care-and-hospice-poll-reveal-major-gaps

MIT News.
“Study: Hospice Care Provides Major Medicare Savings.”

https://news.mit.edu/2024/study-hospice-care-provides-major-medicare-savings-1024