Delaware organizations and community leaders join in opposing 
HB 350 ahead of Senate hearing

 
Dover, Delaware (May 7, 2024) – Several organizations and community leaders today joined the Delaware Healthcare Association in opposing House Bill 350, the Hospital Cost Review Board Bill. The organizations submitted a joint letter to bill sponsors Governor John Carney, Speaker Valerie Longhurst, and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend ahead of the Senate Executive Committee hearing at 4:00 pm today.
 
The letter, signed by organizations and community leaders with deep knowledge in business, healthcare, and nonprofit work states: “It is with that expertise and a great passion for our state and the work we do in our communities that we write you to say HB 350 in its current form is NOT the way to achieve the goal of reducing healthcare costs. This bill will have disastrous ramifications on not just the hospital systems but on the business and nonprofit communities.” 
 
The letter continues: “It is our hope that we can bring all parties together inclusive of the business community, nonprofit leaders, healthcare systems, providers, payors, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, state unions, community advocates and patients to determine a strong path forward for our state. That is the Delaware way.”
 
Brian Frazee, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware Healthcare Association, noted that while targeted at hospitals, the cuts in HB 350 will negatively impact Delaware’s entire economy through the loss of jobs, nonprofit investment, and the damage to Delaware’s reputation as a business-friendly state. 
 
“We are grateful that these leaders have joined our efforts to advocate for addressing healthcare costs in a way that strengthens Delaware’s services, workforce, and access to quality healthcare. DHA has put forward amendments that address healthcare affordability, enhance transparency, and hold hospitals accountable to Delaware’s healthcare benchmark. We stand ready to continue working with the bill sponsors to achieve our shared goals in a way that meets our state’s unique needs.” 
 
Please see the letter text and signatories below:  



May 7, 2024
 
The Honorable John Carney
Governor
Tatnall Building
150 Martin Luther King Blvd South
Dover, DE 19901
 
Delaware General Assembly
Legislative Hall
411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901
 
 
Dear Governor Carney and Members of the Delaware General Assembly, 
 
We the undersigned agree that healthcare costs should be addressed in Delaware. Our group is composed of leaders with deep knowledge of healthcare, business and nonprofit work in Delaware and in our region. It is with that expertise and a great passion for our state and the work we do in our communities, that we write you to say HB 350 in its current form is NOT the way to achieve the goal of reducing healthcare costs. This bill will have disastrous ramifications on not just the hospital systems but on the business and nonprofit communities. It is our hope that we can bring all parties together inclusive of the business community, nonprofit leaders, healthcare systems, providers, payors, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, state unions, community advocates and patients to determine a strong path forward for our state. That is the Delaware way. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Organizations
 
Association of Chambers of Commerce of Delaware
Bayhealth
Beebe Healthcare
Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC)
ChristianaCare
College Ave Student Loans
DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association
Delaware Business Roundtable
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Delaware Healthcare Association
Delaware Psychological Association
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
Kent Sussex Leadership Alliance
Kool Kolored Kid Generation LLC
Latin American Community Center
Lewes Chamber of Commerce
Nason Construction
Nemours Children's Health
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
Rehoboth Beach - Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce
Saint Francis Hospital
Sussex County Health Coalition
The Precisionists, Inc.
TidalHealth Nanticoke
Wohlsen Construction
 
Community Leaders
 
Andrew Hartstein
Arthur and Cynthia Pollard
Barry Niziolek
Brian DiSabatino
Catharine N. Lyons
Charlie McDowell
Chip Rossi
Dan Cruce
Darryl Chambers, M.A., Center for Structural Equity
David Stratton
Doneene Damon
Dr. Francisco Padilla
Dr. Richard Simons
Dr. Sandra Palavecino
Ernie B. Lopez
Ernie Dianastasis
Fred Mast
George Foutrakis
Jocelyn Stewart
Joe DePaulo
Kathleen McDonough
Lolita Lopez
Lossie Freeman
Maria Lehman, Board Chair
Marie Holliday, CPA
Michele Procino-Wells
Michelle A. Taylor, Ed.D.
Perry Beberman
Rita M. Landgraf
Robert Asante
Sean Steward
Susan Moore, MD
Susan Williams, MD
Terrance Keeling, President and CEO of Central Baptist CDC 
Tom Moore
Tom Nason and Julie Topkis Nason
Tracy Neilson
Tynetta T. Brown
Wil Sherk