WASHINGTON, D.C. – Caris Healthcare founder Norman McRae, along with other leading healthcare executives, met with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to discuss the administration’s proactive coronavirus (COVID-19) measures to support patients, families and healthcare professionals.

“At Caris, our clinicians and staff are on the front line of patient care each day,” said McRae, who represents Caris Healthcare on the board of directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). “I would like to thank the administration for doing everything possible to protect public health and the safety of our nation’s healthcare workers. It was clear their top priority is to ensure healthcare providers receive the full support and resources necessary to deliver care when and however appropriate.”

Executives from leading providers collaborated with members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force on the current plans and strategies. Hospice representatives emphasized how hospice and palliative care are uniquely positioned in the continuum of care to meet the needs of patients at higher risk for COVID-19 and limiting further transmission by transitioning patients to their preferred setting of care.

“I’m proud that our nursing home and hospice leadership came together to be part of the ongoing solution,” McRae said. “We applaud the administration’s leadership on combating the COVID-19 outbreak, and their recognition that hospice and palliative care providers have a history of providing person-centered care to patients and families. We will continue to provide support in the communities that we serve.”

About Caris Healthcare
Founded in 2003, Caris Healthcare provides high-quality hospice care in 28 offices across Tennessee, Virginia, Missouri, South Carolina and Georgia. Caris employs the most-qualified nursing professionals, staff and volunteers who are committed to excellence and reflecting our core values of compassion, accountability, respect, integrity and service – the Caris promise to you.