Delaware
ChristianaCare argues new review board violates constitutional rights
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This story was supported by a statehouse coverage grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Delaware’s largest hospital system has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new hospital budget review board.
ChristianaCare is suing the state of Delaware in Chancery Court, alleging the law violates its rights under both the Delaware and U.S. Constitution. The Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board was signed into law in June. The legislation attempts to control health care expenses by requiring hospitals to submit annual budgets, audited financial statements and other financial data to the board for review.
Under the law, if a hospital doesn’t meet the state’s benchmark for controlling increases in hospital costs, the board will work with that entity to meet that benchmark going forward. If the hospital still doesn’t meet the target — or if the two can’t agree on an improvement plan — the review board can take control of the hospital’s future budgets, requiring it to seek the board’s approval on its financial plans.
Other states have their own version of hospital cost review boards. Delaware’s is based on Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board, which has reviewed the state’s hospital budgets since fiscal year 2013.
In the lawsuit, which seeks to declare the law invalid and permanently stop it from taking effect, ChristianaCare calls the board “a state takeover … of the boards of certain private hospitals, including ChristianaCare, through the creation of a politically appointed, unelected, and unaccountable ‘Super-Board.’”
“The General Assembly rushed its approval of HB 350 and its draconian and unconstitutional measures, without any meaningful investigation concerning their expected effects, which will undoubtedly have a negative impact on patient care in Delaware,” the lawsuit states.
The legal filing also argues the creation of the hospital cost review board includes unlawful and discriminatory price caps for hospital services and forces them to disclose proprietary information.
A spokesperson denied an interview request to speak with a representative of the health system.
Police in Wilmington, Delaware, shot and killed a 19-year-old man Wednesday night.
The incident happened in a residential area near 24th and Jessup streets just after 11 p.m., Wilmington police said in a news release. The person who was shot has not been publicly identified.
Officers were monitoring a large crowd gathered outside when they saw a man exit a home with a handgun and point it toward the crowd, police say.
When officers approached the man, he ran away and a foot pursuit began, police say.
At some point in the chase, an officer fired their weapon and hit the 19-year-old. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police say they recovered a loaded gun from the man and that the officer was not injured.
Video filmed at the scene shows a crowd of residents gathered outside after the shooting.
Police are asking anyone with more information to come forward. The shooting is under investigation by the Delaware Department of Justice and Wilmington police.
Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura announced Wednesday that she will lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.
She will step down from the bench of Delaware’s highest court in late July, after choosing not to seek reappointment at the end of her 12-year term. She revealed her plans for the next phase of her legal career in a special session of the court in Wilmington.
As well as joining the Wilmington University law school faculty, Valihura will be the founding director of the school’s new Corporate Law, Governance and Practice Institute. …
Wilmington Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Tuesday night in Wilmington’s Hilltop neighborhood.
According to police, the shooting occurred at approximately 8:33 p.m. in the 1600 block of West 5th Street.
On their arrival at the scene, police say they located the 16-year-old with at least one gunshot wound and transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
This incident remains under investigation.
Police did not share whether there have been any arrests in connection with the shooting or a possible motive.
Wilmington Police encourage anyone with information about this incident, contact Detective Justin Wilkers at (302) 576-3634. Information can also be sent to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or Delawarecrimestoppers.com.
The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) Victim Service Unit and Youth Response Unit are available to provide information and support to victims, children, and families affected by this incident.
The Victim Service Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3622, and the Youth Response Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3183.
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