Delaware Healthcare Association Announces 2024 Advocacy Agenda
Priorities Include Workforce, Access, and Health Equity
(DOVER, DE – January 9, 2024) Today the Delaware Healthcare Association, which represents Delaware’s hospitals, health systems, and healthcare related organizations, released the organization’s 2024 Advocacy Agenda. The agenda outlines the Association’s top policy priorities it will lead:
- Strengthen Delaware’s Healthcare Workforce;
- Ensure Access to Care; and
- Advance Health Equity.
“DHA advocates for policies that fulfill our mission of helping every Delawarean achieve optimal health. We cannot achieve this goal without a robust healthcare workforce, adequate access to healthcare, and health equity for all of our communities,” said Brian Frazee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware Healthcare Association. “These priorities highlight our state’s biggest healthcare challenges and DHA looks forward to working with Governor Carney and his Administration, the Delaware General Assembly, and partners across the healthcare continuum and beyond to advance these initiatives in 2024.”
Strengthen Delaware’s Healthcare Workforce
Delaware’s population is growing rapidly and is aging — Delaware is the 5th oldest state in the nation. These factors will continue to increase demands on the state’s healthcare infrastructure. At the same time, Delaware faces a healthcare workforce shortage. The First State’s hospitals are doing everything possible to recruit and retain doctors, nurses, and other providers. DHA will work collaboratively on strategies to support today’s workforce while also developing a future pipeline of healthcare professionals to meet Delaware’s evolving care needs in the future.
Ensure Access to Care
Delaware hospitals are committed to providing high-quality care to all they serve, both inside hospital walls and beyond. In the absence of a government-run hospital, Delaware’s hospitals serve as a much-needed safety net, treating all patients who enter their doors regardless of ability to pay. They provide access to care in their communities through primary care, school-based health centers, mobile health units, and more. Unfortunately, skyrocketing labor and other expenses have resulted in historic financial challenges that are putting nonprofit hospital missions of service at risk. DHA supports policies that enhance access to care in innovative ways that meet today’s unique challenges.
Advance Health Equity
Hospitals play a vital role in ensuring equitable access to care for all Delawareans. DHA is launching a new Health Equity Council in 2024 to help inform the internal and external policies that will reduce healthcare disparities and promote health equity in Delaware. DHA will lead and support initiatives that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within Delaware’s healthcare system and beyond.
About the Delaware Healthcare Association
The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) was formed in 1967 and is a statewide trade and membership services organization that represents and serves hospitals, health systems, and related health care organizations in their role of providing a continuum of appropriate, cost-effective, quality care to improve the health of the people of Delaware. DHA’s mission is to provide policy and advocacy leadership in creating an excellent environment to support our members in helping every Delawarean to be as healthy as they can be.
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