The Diamond State Hospital Review Board blew into existence Thursday when Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 350. The board, which will have authority to review Delaware hospital budgets, recommend changes and enforce those changes, will help the state and consumers lower their healthcare bills by limiting the growth of hospital budgets, supporters say. Theoretically, supporters believe, that means the …
Hospital bill passes Senate on party lines, heads back to House
The bill to create a Delaware hospital budget review board, as expected, passed the Senate today after nearly one hour of comments by Republicans opposed to the state stepping into private businesses. House Bill 350 will now return to the House, which must vote on a Senate amendment that changed several points in the original bill. If it passes there, …
Hospitals, legislators reach deal on state review board
State hospitals and legislators have reached a deal that will see House Bill 350, a bill to set up a state board that could review and force changes to hospital budgets, become law. Based on expected amendments, “the Delaware Healthcare Association stands neutral on HB 350 and will no longer actively oppose the bill at this time,” said Brian Frazee, …
State moves to control hospital budgets to lower health costs
Delaware’s hospitals soon could be governed by a politically appointed state board charged with examining and approving hospital budgets and invested with the power to demand changes and punish those that don’t meet its guidelines. House Bill 350 would create the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board under the Department of Health and Social Services. It will try to keep …
Here’s how Del. hospitals focus on underserved communities
TidalHealth Nanticoke purchased mobile medical vans to take healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities. Beebe Healthcare started a monkeypox vaccination program for the LGBTQ+ community at the beach. ChristianaCare created a new wellness and psychotherapy center for transgender patients. These are just a few of the initiatives highlighted in the Delaware Healthcare Association’s “Health Equity Report,” which details ways state hospitals …
Delaware hospitals gave away $978M in FY 2020
Delaware’s hospitals and health system provided nearly $978 million in community benefit spending during Fiscal Year 2020, according to a new report from the Delaware Healthcare Association. Community benefit spending includes charity care, bad debt, losses on government-sponsored health insurance and support for community programs. The figure was included in the Delaware Healthcare Association’s 2022 Community Benefits Report, a …
No Delaware hospitals plan to lift mask mandates soon
Delaware hospital still require face masks to work or visit there. The hospitals issued a press release Tuesday to remind the public as state school and court masking rules were lifted this week. “While COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining, protecting immunocompromised and severely ill patients from COVID-19 exposure continues to be a priority for Delaware hospitals,” said …
State COVID funds to provide bonuses for healthcare workers
Delaware will give hospitals, longterm care and state facilities $75 million to pay worker bonuses. Delaware will spend more than $75 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds for hospitals, long-term care centers and state operated facilities to provide hiring and retention bonuses to workers. The money is aimed at alleviating staffing shortages in the medical field by enabling providers …