Delaware Healthcare Association releases state advocacy agenda

As states brace for the potential fallout from federal health policies, the Delaware Healthcare Association outlined its 2025 state advocacy agenda Feb. 27 to provide a blueprint for healthcare sustainability.

The First in Health agenda calls for policies to strengthen the First State’s healthcare workforce; ensure healthcare access, quality and affordability; and advance health equity. The Delaware Healthcare Association represents Delaware’s hospitals, health systems and healthcare-related organizations.

“Advancing high-quality, accessible and affordable healthcare for all Delawareans has never been more important. We are at an inflection point on the national and state levels, and DHA is ready to advocate so that the First State is a model nationally for healthcare,” said Brian Frazee, DHA president and CEO. “We look forward to working collaboratively with Gov. Meyer and his administration, Lt. Gov. Gay, the Delaware General Assembly, and partners across the healthcare continuum and beyond to advance these goals.”

Lawmakers on the state’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee recently conducted hearings for Delaware’s health department, where workforce, affordability, access and equity needs were all highlighted. DHA’s public testimony emphasized potential federal Medicaid cuts and their impact to more than 200,000 Delawareans. This state’s specific health challenges make these likely cuts even more dire.

Delaware’s rapidly aging and growing population – the country’s sixth oldest and eighth fastest-growing – increases demands on the state’s healthcare infrastructure, while at the same time, Delaware faces a healthcare workforce shortage. Delaware also has higher rates of chronic disease and health conditions than other states, which contribute to higher healthcare costs: Delaware has the eighth-highest rates of adult obesity, the ninth-highest rates of diabetes, and the 15th-highest cancer incidence.

DHA’s state advocacy agenda seeks to address some of Delaware’s most urgent healthcare challenges. Some of its key state priorities are to:

• Create a healthcare workforce shortage scholarship program and new incentives for clinical preceptors
• Work collaboratively on solutions to Delaware’s health challenges that would yield better affordability and health outcomes in lieu of HB 350, the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board
• Advocate for prior authorization reform legislation along with the Medical Society of Delaware to streamline and improve care for patients and relieve providers of excessive paperwork
• Advocate for adequate reimbursement for primary care, behavioral health and other preventative care that improves community health and reduces utilization
• Advocate for health insurance coverage for the uninsured, underinsured and most vulnerable, including preventative coverage for prenatal care and dialysis care.

“Hospitals will be needed to step in to bridge the gap and provide needed care and support for our communities with looming federal funding cuts. While these demands increase, we are also facing uncertainty at the state level with the harmful HB 350 hospital board law,” Frazee said. “We know HB 350 is not the best approach for Delaware, but we can still get it right. DHA is asking policymakers and stakeholders to join with us to improve health outcomes, affordability, access and equity. We have a chance to lead the nation and work together on real solutions to make the First State first in health.”