My friend David Barton, one of the founders of Alive Hospice, asked me to share this note with congregants and neighbors. I gladly do so; I share his concern, and I have signed the petition.
Thomas Kleinert, Senior Minister
Alive Hospice’s Advisory Board members, former board and staff members, donors and supporters have mobilized to keep Alive from being sold to a for-profit corporation. Alive is the only non-profit hospice in Middle Tennessee. Because its mission is to serve patients and not shareholders, donors make it possible for Alive to go above and beyond standard hospice care.
A 2023 RAND Corporation study (JAMA, Feb, 2023) yielded results saying that family caregivers reported worse care experiences at for-profit hospices than at not-for-profit hospices.
In 2000, 30% of all hospices were for-profit. By 2020, that percentage had grown to 73%, primarily due to acquisitions of non-profits. The for-profit hospices care structure likely is influenced by having to answer to stockholders.
The coalition formed to save Alive includes a billboard campaign and petition drive. The petition, “Keep Alive Hospice Not-For-Profit”, now has more than than 1900 signatures and continues to grow. Please add your name to the petition. I would appreciate your help in spreading the word: Alive is too precious to lose.
Alive, was founded in 1975 by myself and the late Dr. John Flexner along with Lynn Barton. It is the nation’s third oldest hospice and the first in the Southeast. It now serves patients in 10 Middle Tennessee counties, with residential facilities in Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Thank you,
David Barton