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Legislation moving its way through the Delaware General Assembly — HB 350 — to put paid political appointees in control of our state’s nonprofit hospitals is not what the doctor ordered.

This proposal will immediately slash $360 million from our adult acute care hospitals and the politician-controlled oversight board it creates can make even more cuts. The reduction is due to an arbitrary 250% Medicare cap on commercial reimbursement provision contained in the bill.

What does that actually mean? 

An immediate $360 million cut that will slash hospital services, up to 4,000 hospital jobs, specialty care, quality and community programs. It will halt expansion of services which also impacts construction jobs and other trades that are critical to enhancing our healthcare infrastructure and access.

Limiting hospital resources to recruit and retain top doctors and nurses will risk healthcare quality and access in the First State. This also will exacerbate the healthcare provider shortage in Delaware at a time when our aging population demands more, not fewer, healthcare providers. As the state with the fifth-oldest population in the country, Delaware will be plunged into a healthcare crisis.

Those cost caps in the bill also put at risk the recent historic collaboration between Delaware hospitals and policymakers for Delaware’s Medicaid program to receive more than $100 million in federal dollars by establishing a new state provider assessment.

The funding is meant to bolster efforts at improving access, workforce recruitment and retention, behavioral health services, and health equity. The 250% of Medicare cap proposed in HB 350 would lower the average commercial rate paid to hospitals far too much to make the contemplated model work.

Clearly, the provider assessment negotiations show hospitals know how to work collaboratively with policymakers for the good health of Delawareans. 

Any serious plan to maintain patient quality and access to healthcare while containing inflationary costs requires insurers, government, practitioners, labor, medical device and pharmaceutical companies to work together on collaborative solutions.

Opinion: We need to boost access to anti-obesity medications in Delaware — not limit it

Being on the front line of delivering public health, the member hospitals and health systems that DHA represents respect our obligation to be central to healthcare solutions for the public. With that in mind, we came to the table with meaningful alternatives that address healthcare affordability, enhance transparency and establish a collaborative effort to identify real solutions to our shared concerns.

Unfortunately, we simply did not have adequate time to engage in a meaningful stakeholder process on a massive healthcare policy. 

Every resident of Delaware should be as shocked as we are that legislative leaders are instead continuing to risk public health by pushing the badly flawed healthcare control provisions in HB 350. If Delaware is willing to put paid political appointees in charge of the oversight of the state’s largest private-sector employer, what industry is next?

This is not what the doctor ordered. There is a better way, and we stand ready to work together to address our shared concerns and put Delawareans first. 

Brian Frazee is president and CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association, which represents the First State’s hospitals, health systems, and healthcare-related organizations. 

Over the past week in Sussex County, there have been 73 suspected drug overdoses, two people are dead and the National Guard has been enlisted to find out why.

Delaware State Police and the Department of Health and Social Services are continuing to warn the public as a surge of particularly severe overdoses happens across the state’s southernmost county.

“Exercise extreme caution, refrain from consuming unknown substances, and avoid illegal drugs altogether,” the agencies said in a news release Thursday. “Individuals struggling with substance abuse are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from medical professionals or addiction support services.”

The 73 suspected overdoses occurred between Friday, April 26 and Friday, May 2, with toxicology tests pending to confirm two suspected overdose deaths, the release said. The majority of overdoses have occurred in the Georgetown, Millsboro, and Milford areas, according to the release.

To determine the drugs’ composition, police enlisted the Delaware National Guard Wednesday to test samples from overdose victims. Initial samples showed packages containing the following:

• Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” a veterinary sedative
• Bromazolam, an unlicensed benzodiazepam
• Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid
• Quinine, commonly used to treat malaria
• Caffeine

The substances involved were packaged in small, white, wax-covered paper bags, police said, typically associated with heroin.

Background: Delawareans asked to ‘exercise extreme caution’ after string of overdoses

Beebe Healthcare in Lewes held a news conference Wednesday to address the more than 30 overdoses the hospital has seen since April 25. One of those patients died and more than 11 required mechanical ventilation and intubation, Beebe Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Officer Dr. Paul Sierzenski said. Many patients also required a significant amount of naloxone to revive.

All involved agencies have warned the recent overdoses have been much more medically severe than usual. There are no patterns related to age, sex or race, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Director Joanna Champney said at the Beebe news conference.

Support for those struggling with substance abuse and a list of Narcan training events are available at helpisherede.com. 

In Sussex, patients can talk with clinicians about substance abuse regardless of their insurance status at the Thurman Adams State Service Center at 546 S. Bedford St. in Georgetown.

More: Fatal overdoses in Delaware appear to be going down, but new troubling trends are emerging

Assistance for those struggling with substance abuse is also available through the following avenues:

• 911: In cases of overdose or medical emergencies, dial or text 911.
• 988: For immediate crisis support, dial 988.
• Delaware 211: Dial 211 or visit delaware211.org for free, confidential assistance in multiple languages.
• Delaware Hope Line: Call 833-9-HOPEDE (833-946-7333) for 24/7 access to resources, support, and crisis assistance.
• Treatment Connection: Find nearby treatment providers at TreatmentConnection.com.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

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