The DHA agenda outlines specific ways to strengthen many facets of healthcare in the First State. (Photo by ipopba/Adobe Stock)
DOVER – The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) unveiled its inaugural federal advocacy agenda Thursday, laying out a strategic plan aimed at strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce, improving healthcare access, and promoting health equity in Delaware.
The announcement comes at a time of national uncertainty surrounding health policy, with DHA emphasizing the need for sustainability in the face of potential federal budget cuts.
Brian Frazee, president and CEO of the DHA, underscored the importance of a strong federal healthcare strategy as the nation faces mounting challenges.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding health policy on a national level and the trickle-down effect to the First State, but what’s clear is we need a strong plan for sustainability,” Frazee said. “Delaware hospitals have and always will open their doors to all 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As we look to the future, DHA is ready to assist our federal delegation and state policymakers to advance high-quality, accessible, equitable, and affordable healthcare for all.”
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The Delaware Healthcare Association represents hospitals, health systems, and healthcare-related organizations across the state, playing a critical role in providing care to Delawareans. Every year, Delaware hospitals handle over 3 million outpatient visits, 400,000 emergency department visits, 90,000 inpatient admissions, and deliver more than 10,000 babies.
In its 2025 federal agenda, DHA prioritizes strengthening the healthcare workforce, ensuring affordable healthcare access, and advancing health equity.
The announcement comes as Congress works on budget bills to fund the government beyond March 14.
DHA has also expressed deep concern over the potential $3 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other crucial healthcare programs.
The Medicaid program, which serves over 230,000 Delawareans, is critical to providing essential healthcare services for low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals.
DHA’s key federal healthcare priorities
- Preventing cuts to Medicare hospital providers and ensuring adequate funding for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- Holding commercial health insurers accountable by reducing the excessive use of prior authorization and limiting inappropriate service denials.
- Making permanent the telehealth flexibilities and the hospital-at-home program, both of which are set to expire in March.
- Supporting additional Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots and backing the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program.
- Protecting safety-net hospitals’ access to the 340B program and opposing harmful changes to the program’s structure.
Frazee emphasized the importance of addressing Delaware’s healthcare challenges, noting that the state has the sixth-oldest and eighth-fastest growing population in the nation. Despite these challenges, he believes there are opportunities for creative solutions to improve health outcomes.
“Delaware hospitals support more than 28,000 direct jobs as the largest private sector employer in the state, and we know strong hospital systems support healthier communities,” Frazee said. “By advocating for a holistic approach to health coverage, affordability, and access, we can build on Delaware’s achievement as #2 in the nation for hospital quality to make the First State first in health.”
The DHA’s federal advocacy agenda aims to bolster Delaware’s healthcare infrastructure while pushing for comprehensive reforms that benefit both healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
View the full healthcare agenda here.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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