Delaware Healthcare Association outlines federal advocacy agenda

The Delaware Healthcare Association released its first federal advocacy agenda Feb. 20, unveiling a roadmap to sustaining a robust healthcare workforce, an accessible and high-quality healthcare system, and healthier communities.

“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,” said Brian Frazee, DHA president and CEO. “Delaware hospitals have and always will open their doors to all 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As we look to the future, DHA is ready to assist our federal delegation and state policymakers advance high-quality, accessible, equitable and affordable healthcare for all.”

The association represents Delaware’s hospitals, health systems and healthcare-related organizations. Each year, Delaware hospitals and health systems care for patients through more than 3 million outpatient visits, over 400,000 emergency department visits and 90,000 inpatient admissions, and in delivering more than 10,000 babies.

DHA’s 2025 federal agenda includes measures to strengthen the healthcare workforce, advance healthcare equity, and ensure healthcare accessibility, quality and affordability. As Congress works on budget bills to fund the government beyond Friday, March 14, DHA officials also penned a letter to Delaware’s federal delegation expressing deep concern about the more than $3 trillion in potential federal cuts to Medicaid and other key healthcare programs.

Serving as a lifeline for more than 230,000 Delawareans, the Medicaid program provides essential health benefits for low-income families, seniors and disabled individuals. One of DHA’s key priorities is preventing cuts to Medicare hospital providers and providing necessary funding for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Another area of focus is holding commercial health insurers accountable for ensuring appropriate patient access to care, including by reducing excessive use of prior authorization, and limiting inappropriate denials and delays for services. Insurers should also make permanent telehealth flexibilities and the hospital at home program, both of which expire in March.

DHA plans to advocate for additional Medicare-supported GME slots and support the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program. It also will aim to protect safety-net hospitals’ access to the 340B program, which affects drug pricing for certain healthcare organizations, and to oppose harmful structural changes to the program.

“As the sixth-oldest and eighth-fastest-growing population in the nation, we have our challenges, but there are opportunities for creative solutions,” Frazee said. “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. By advocating for a holistic approach to health coverage, affordability and access we can build on Delaware’s achievement as No. 2 in the nation for hospital quality to make the First State first in health.”

Learn more about DHA’s federal advocacy agenda at tinyurl.com/4ar9thmm.