Here’s what we know about the current model of supportive and end of life care in United States.  The system is simply broken. There are millions of patients currently suffering with the emotional and physical duress of serious illness. That number is only going to increase as our baby boomer population ages. This is a problem that doesn’t just affect quality of life for the patient, but has a significant impact on caregivers and on the larger health system, particularly in terms of unnecessary medical spend. We know that the sickest 5% of patients account for approximately 50 to 60% of annual health care costs in the United States. This issue fundamentally is one of both patient quality for our most vulnerable population and of high cost. If we can address these issues, it creates an opportunity to target both sides of the value equation, and we can improve care for patients, and reduce unnecessary medical spend particularly at the end of life.