Hospice should be restricted to the last 6 months or so - usually the last month, although in reality many are referred only the last few days, way too late in my opinion. They are intended for truly dying-already patients. Not for killing patients, but for relieving the symptoms that are uncomfortable and for helping the family as well as the patient through the last few days, both physically and emotionally.
Hospices are good if their nurses and doctors are well-intentioned. The board of this hospice is not, at least in their cooperation with causing Terri's death while obeying the order prohibiting food and water by natural means.
(Actually, that should be "if and when" they obeyed. I believe that the nurses held to their profession of nursing care as much as they were able, at risk to themselves, because of what I know about nurses and hospice nurses in particular. There may be one in a million psychopaths in nursing, just as there are in all professions, but hospice nurses are in general the most caring and concerned of professionals. )
Mikey Schiavo is a nurse, by some reports.
As long as the Trade Ass'n's Treasurer is the President of Sunrise, something smells.
I agree with you that the original intent of these places was good.
But as the rules change about what constitutes PVS (and who knows what OTHER rules have changed), I think that hospices should be closely examined by families who have to put Mom someplace...