DOVER — The Delaware Healthcare Association released its first federal advocacy agenda on Feb. 20, a key roadmap to 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, President & CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association.

“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 advance high-quality, accessible, equitable, and affordable healthcare for all.”

The Delaware Healthcare Association, or DHA, 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 departments visits, 90,000 inpatient admissions, and in delivering more than 10,000 babies.

DHA’s 2025 federal agenda includes measures to strengthen the healthcare workforce; ensure healthcare accessibility, quality and affordability; and advance health equity. Announced as Congress works on budget bills to fund the government beyond March 14, DHA 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. The Medicaid program provides essential health benefits for low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals and serves as a lifeline for more than 230,000 Delawareans.

Some of DHA’s key federal priorities include:

• Prevent cuts to Medicare hospital providers and provide necessary funding for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Health Insurance Marketplace
• Hold commercial health insurers accountable for ensuring appropriate patient access to care, including by reducing the excessive use of prior authorization and limiting inappropriate denials and delays for services
• Make permanent telehealth flexibilities and the hospital at home program, both of which expire in March
• Support additional Medicare-supported GME slots and support the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program
• Protect safety-net hospitals’ access to the 340B program and opposing harmful structural changes to the program

“As the 6th oldest and 8th fastest growing population in the nation, we have our challenges but there are opportunities for creative solutions,” Mr. 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 #2 in the nation for hospital quality to make the First State first in health.”