Hospice Wars

"When the hospice wars are over, we'll be the last one standing." - Sharon Ward O'Neal, Administrator/Clinical Nursing Director, A&E Hospice

If Andy Eddins, owner of A&E Hospice in Florence, fails in his attempt to have State administered Medicare and Medicaid funding reinstated, he will hardly be out of business. Eddins is also the owner of A&E Medical Equipment in Florence, Dura-Med in Batesville, Mississippi, A&E Hospice in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Volunteer Hospice in Waynesboro, Tennessee.

Eddins first established the Florence hospice in April 2001. As of last week, the hospice employed 25 medical and support personnel and served 60 patients. Rumors had been circulating for weeks that A&E would soon merge with Tennessee Valley Hospice, but no one was prepared for the State's revocation of funding on November 5. Eddins has 90 days in which to appeal the State's ruling; however, officials began hinting yesterday that they would also seek the revocation of his business license.

Eddins, a frequent contributor to the Alabama Republican Party, is known for his charitable work, both in the Shoals and abroad. Each year Eddins heads a mission team from Underwood Baptist Church. Working under the banner of Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International, Eddins and his team are scheduled to travel to Honduras the first week in August of next year for another foray into jungle medicine. Eddins and his A&E staff have also been heavily involved with DreamCatchers, a group that fulfils the last wishes of terminally ill patients.

Doubtless the proliferation of hospices in the Shoals area has played a role in this development, but sources close to the medical group say that more revelations will be forthcoming. As of September 24, 2008, A&E Hospice lost its Better Business Bureau accreditation. The Alabama Department of Health is expected to release a follow-up statement within the week.

No matter the outcome, Mr. Eddins and A&E Hospice have always provided exemplary patient care. If Eddins is unable to meet the State's demands, his company will be missed.


What's up with this: Just who informed the Sheffield City Council that they had illegally appointed former Mayor Billy Don Anderson to the Utility Board? Pity the person didn't come forward before the schism within the current council.