Hospice fundraising not for local care

Local residents may be receiving letters asking them to help hospice care, but money they send may not be ending up at local hospices— or even to a hospice.

Northern Montana Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Christen Obresley said Wednesday she received an email from the Montana Hospital Association warning its members to be on the lookout for solicitations from Hospice Support Fund. The fund solicits hospice organizations, offering to pay for running a public service announcement tailored to match local hospices with their name, address, phone number, web site and logo.

The hospital as...