A policy analysis on the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982

The purpose of this thesis was to present a policy analysis of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) with a particular focus on Section 122, Hospice Care. Congress included the Medicare hospice benefit provision in the 1982 legislation in an effort to reduce Medicare costs and to improve care for the dying. The major findings indicate that the policy objectives have been realized to some extent, but better measurement tools are needed to adequately measure quality of care for the dying. The study also suggests that, despite a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries choosing hospice care, many still do not have access to hospice care or enroll in hospice too late to receive the intended benefits of the program The study's importance to social work practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.