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Tim’s dad, Leo, was a enamored by timepieces. The house was full of all kinds, and the quiet of their small Michigan house was always disturbed by the chimes of his grandfather clock each quarter hour. Norma was always aware of the time. Nine o’clock. While we were traveling together in the motor home, that…

C-TAC submitted comments this week in response to proposed  rules by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on skilled nursing facilities and hospice: Skilled nursing facility comments – In our comments, C-TAC supported the proposed information technology  requirement that these facilities share information with both the patient and to their new provider after an…

C-TAC has submitted comments to CMS on a proposed rule aimed at promoting the interoperability of health information technology. Examining how the proposed rule would affect those living with advanced illness and their families, C-TAC expressed overall support for the rule with these specific comments: Care Coordination via Trusted Exchange NetworksC-TAC supports any efforts to…

In a recent Kaiser Health News story, JoNel Aleccia reported on the difficulty that some physicians face when discussing serious illness and the end of life with patients. She spoke with C-TAC Chief Medical Officer Brad Stuart, MD, as well as Tony Back, MD, an important partner of C-TAC’s who serves as co-director of the…

In a health care climate of rising costs and resource strain, the aging population is particularly at risk for being medically underserved. In a 2018 white paper, Home Centered Care Institute (HCCI) founder and CEO Dr. Thomas Cornwell examines the potential for home-based primary care as a solution to this challenge. HCCI is a non-profit…

In January 2019, Kathy Brandt, a nationally known hospice industry leader, was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer and learned she had mere months to live. Brandt’s wife, Kim Acquaviva, PhD, a nursing professor and end-of-life care expert, made a controversial decision. Brandt opted for palliative care, forgoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, in order…

We are excited to announce that C-TAC has joined the membership of Grantmakers in Aging (GIA), a national membership organization of philanthropies which serves as a network, resource and champion to amplify the voices of older people and issues of aging. GIA believes in a society which is better for older adults benefits people of…

A recent report from Religion News Service explored the changing landscape of healthcare and how hospital chaplains are adapting to ensure that patients receive the spiritual support they need. “As our medical system grows more fast-paced, impersonal and complex, the hospital or health care chaplain’s role has been growing,” reported Amanda Abrams. “Many patients need…

CMMI announced its much-anticipated Primary Cares Initiative introducing two new sets of voluntary payment models focused on value-based care based in part on C-TAC’s Advanced Care Model. The two programs, Primary Care First and Direct Contracting, use different approaches to address the needs of people with complex, chronic conditions and serious illness. CMMI worked closely…