By: Barak Gaster, MD Dementia is one of the most challenging illnesses we face. As people experience the gradual loss of ability to understand conversations, become increasingly dependent on others for self-care, and frequently encounter agitation and distress, dementia is a difficult road to travel. The number of people living with dementia is expected to…

Brad Stuart, MD, C-TAC’s Chief Medical Officer, delivered remarks on advanced illness care and moving treatment from the hospital to the home during a briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on Sept. 24. Hosted by Health Affairs and The John A. Hartford Foundation, the briefing gathered experts who contributed articles for the…

Lucy Kalanithi, MD, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and a member of C-TAC’s Board of Directors, is developing a new podcast that addresses hardship as a part of life. The podcast, “Gravity,” will explore how people live and cope with suffering in its various forms, taking a close look at how…

There are many factors that can prevent individuals from examining, expressing and documenting their wishes when faced with advanced illness. These include emotional, social and cultural barriers as well as industry, regional and regulatory differences, all of which can make it more difficult for people with advanced illness to receive the care they prefer in…

C-TAC submitted comments this week on the proposed rule focused on implementing two new mandatory payment models, one for a radiation oncology (RO) bundle and another for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Unlike most other Innovation Center (CMMI) models, these will be required and could cover a significant portion of people living with cancer and ESRD.…

Scaling access to palliative care by partnering with risk-bearing entities Liz Fowler, president and CEO at Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN), is committed to putting BCN on an inexorable path to ensuring all Kentuckians have access to high-quality palliative care. Scaling access to palliative care in Kentucky is a formidable goal, given the large number of…

Supporting provider education, building coalitions, and addressing social determinants of health are just some of the practices that could boost the use of advance care planning (ACP), a new report finds. Conducted by health care consulting firm Discern Health, the research was designed to help further develop the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care’s Advanced Care…

C-TAC would like to extend our immense gratitude to US Senator Johnny Isakson, who announced he will be resigning at the end of the year, for his extraordinary leadership and commitment to improving the lives of those living with advanced illness and their families. A pioneer for advanced illness care policy, Senator Isakson has for…

In an important step towards greater standardization and broader reach of portable medical order documentation for those with serious illness, this week the National POLST Paradigm released the first national POLST form.  POLST forms are medical orders that specify the treatments an individual wants during a medical emergency. POLST forms (sometimes called MOLST, MOST, or…

C-TAC is one of seven organizations participating in a new initiative to improve care for older adults and those facing serious illness and the end of life. The effort will be co-funded by the Cambia Health Foundation and the John A. Hartford Foundation, in a new partnership announced on Aug. 29. Other organizations participating in…