The Hospice Movement

To the Editor.— I read the comments by John P. Callan, MD, concerning the hospice movement (241:600,1979). I thought his EDITORIAL was timely and brought out many fine points concerning the possible pitfalls in excessive use and associated cost of inpatient hospice facilities. The majority of the hospice movements that are occurring in the United States today center their attention on home care. It is the contention of many leaders within the hospice movement that the strength of any hospice program lies in a viable home care program to give all patients and their families the option of the patients' having their final days at home rather than in an acute care setting, with the associated costs. The US hospice movement has many similarities to the British experience, but on comparison, there are many distinctions as well. One of the most notable differences is the strong emphasis in the United