(Dover, DE – June 17, 2025) – After the Delaware Joint Finance Committee voted Tuesday to reverse a funding pause that delayed House Bill 350 implementation pending resolution of current litigation, Brian Frazee, President & CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Associationissued the following statement.
“While we are disappointed in Tuesday’s vote, we remain laser focused on ensuring Delaware has a better solution that addresses transparency, collaboration, and accountability around healthcare costs. Now is the time to come together and work on a real solution to meaningfully address healthcare affordability and improve health outcomes for all Delawareans. DHA and our hospital members have fully supported enhanced transparency that will assist with this important effort all along.
“The issues we face as a state and country are bigger than a hospital problem. In a letter to the JFC, the Delaware Nurses Association, Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, Delaware Health Care Facilities Association, LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware, and United Way of Delaware joined DHA in advocating that lawmakers delay implementation of the House Bill 350 law for one year in the wake of looming federal funding cuts and because hospitals do not know how they will be held individually accountable to the healthcare spending benchmark. These external issues impact patients that interact with a variety of service-focused organizations, including hospitals, and many patients have complex health challenges. Delaware is home to a growing, aging population with higher rates of diabetes, obesity and chronic diseases than the rest of the nation. These populations need greater access to high-quality care, not less.
“Vermont’s hospital board, which inspired HB 350, has led to their top healthcare regulator recently admitting they are in “a crisis situation.” Vermont has the highest health insurance premiums in the nation, hospitals are cutting services and jobs, and several are on the verge of closing. We cannot let this be the status quo, and we know working in silos won’t promote the best outcomes for our state. We continue to stand ready to work with lawmakers on a better solution for the future.”
About the Delaware Healthcare Association
The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) was formed in 1967 and is a statewide trade and membership services organization that represents and serves hospitals, health systems, and related healthcare organizations in their role of providing a continuum of appropriate, cost-effective, quality care to improve the health of the people of Delaware. DHA’s mission is to provide policy and advocacy leadership in creating an excellent environment to support our members in helping every Delawarean to be as healthy as they can be.