Delaware

Hospital cost review board passes Delaware Senate

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2024

Hospital cost review board passes Delaware Senate

According to a news release from Delaware Health and Social Services earlier this month, health care spending in Delaware increased by 6.3% in 2022, outpacing the 3% growth rate benchmark. The previous year saw an 11% increase as more people resumed health care visits they had put off during the pandemic.

“The 6.3% per capita increase in 2022 is significant, but there was an expectation of some continuing health care spending rebound effect in the post-pandemic period,” the news release said. “Moving forward into 2023 and beyond, DHSS expects Delaware’s health care market to be in a steadier state.”

Carney set a spending benchmark in 2018, which was an aspirational goal for annual per-capita-rate health care spending growth. The 3.8% benchmark took effect in 2019. It’s since fluctuated to various percentages below 4%.

Once up and running, the review board would review each hospital’s budget annually. If a hospital failed to meet spending benchmarks, it would be required to develop a performance improvement plan. Once a hospital met spending targets for three consecutive years, the board would release it from the performance plan oversight. When a hospital successfully meets its budget goals for three consecutive years, it would no longer be required to participate in the budget approval process.

“This legislation is not about punishing hospitals, but rather ensuring our constituents are able to access quality and affordable health care and to put a system into place to slow down the skyrocketing costs that we have experienced in Delaware,” House Speaker Valerie Longhurst said during a debate in the House.

Advocates of the legislation say hospitals are the primary driver of higher costs. However, DHA President and CEO Brian Frazee has argued pharmacy drugs and long-term care are more significant cost drivers than hospitals.

Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, said he was concerned about an “attack on hospitals” and that the hospitals were forced to come to the table after being backed into a deal.

“It disturbed me greatly when one hospital had told me two days ago that before House Bill 350 was introduced, no one from the General Assembly, not from this chamber, not from the other chamber, picked up the phone and called them to discuss and understand hospital costs,” he said. “Not one. Is this a collaboration? Is this a partnership? Not in any definition that I’m familiar with.”

The bill heads back to the House for approval of the Senate amendment, where it passed 21-16 on a near party-line vote, with three Democrats voting in opposition. If the House signs off and no other changes are made, it will then head to Gov. John Carney’s desk.

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Delaware

Delaware senator to lead visit to Denmark as Trump presses to annex Greenland

Published

53 minutes ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

Delaware senator to lead visit to Denmark as Trump presses to annex Greenland

What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons is leading a Congressional bipartisan delegation to Denmark later this week. Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride will join Coons alongside Democratic Reps. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, Gregory Meeks of New York and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina.

The visit comes as President Donald Trump has threatened the country’s capital Copenhagen over his desire to annex Greenland into the United States. In recent statements, Trump has not ruled out purchasing or using military action against Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.

“I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump said last week.

In a news release, Coons said the trip is meant to highlight more than 200 years of friendship between the two countries. The delegation will meet with Danish and Greenlandic government and business leaders to discuss issues including Arctic security and strengthening trade relations.

“Denmark has always been a strong diplomatic, economic, and security partner who sacrificed more lives than any other country relative to its population when the United States invoked Article 5 following the September 11 attacks,” Coons said in a statement. “At a time of increasing international instability, we need to draw closer to our allies, not drive them away, and this delegation will send a clear message that Congress is committed to NATO and our network of alliances.”

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Delaware

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons leading congressional delegation to Greenland as Trump threatens takeover

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons leading congressional delegation to Greenland as Trump threatens takeover

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware is heading a bipartisan group of congressional leaders who will meet Friday and Saturday with stakeholders in Denmark and Greenland. President Trump has threatened to take over Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory. Josh Sanders has the latest from the Pulse Desk.

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Delaware

Snow coming to Delaware. How much will we get, will it impact commute

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Snow coming to Delaware. How much will we get, will it impact commute

Winter is about to make another rush into Delaware, and it might include a little snow.

The First State is going to see highs drop from the mid- to upper-40s to the freezing mark by the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

After a pleasant Jan. 13, which will feature sunny skies and highs around 46 in New Castle and 50 in Sussex County. However, that will change on Jan 14 as colder temperatures and precipitation move into the area.

There won’t be much snow, but with temperatures at or below freezing the commute will be rough.

What’s the Delaware weather forecast?

New Castle County: The front will move into the county after 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 with a 30% chance of rain in the county. Highs will be in the mid-40s. Rain will continue through the overnight hours and chance over to snow as temperatures drop into the upper 20s. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Rain and snow are expected until 1 p.m. Jan. 15 with highs near 35.

Kent County: The county will enjoy a sunny Jan. 13 with temperatures hitting 51 degrees. The cold front will move in during the overnight with rain before 4 a.m. and a wintery mix after 4 a.m. with the lows dropping to 30. On Jan 14, there’s a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. with highs reaching 38. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning

Sussex County: The county will enjoy a sunny Jan. 13 with temperatures hitting 53 degrees. The cold front will move in overnight with rain after 1 a.m. and a low around 30. On Jan 14, there’s a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. with highs reaching 39. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning

What is black ice?

If you are driving, you’ll need to watch out for black ice.

According to The Weather Channel, black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on roads and is difficult to see. It’s generally found on bridges, overpasses and spots on the road shaded by trees or other objects.

If roadways are wet from rain, snow or fog and temperatures drop below 32 degrees, black ice can form on roadways.

If you hit black ice, you should do the following: