The State of Delaware has submitted an application for up to $1 billion from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
The filing includes 15 projects, programs, and initiatives to expand healthcare access, lower costs, and increase the medical workforce in Kent and Sussex counties. The objective is to improve health outcomes for the 40% of Delawareans residing in rural areas.
Congress appropriated $50 billion for the Trump administration program this past summer. Half of the total funding will be distributed equally among states, with the remaining half allocated based on technical factors and the quality of the application. Awards are expected to be received by the end of this year.
“Investing in rural healthcare is key to building a better healthcare system that works for all Delawareans,” said President & CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association Brian Frazee. “That begins with laser-focused efforts for our rural communities that support innovation, workforce, access, and more.”
House Substitute 1 for House Bill 163, the Delaware Diabetes Wellness Act, authored by State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, was a part of Delaware’s Rural Health Transformation Program application.
The legislation, pending action in the House Appropriations Committee, seeks to establish a three-year pilot study of a group of diabetic patients. Under the initiative, medical professionals utilizing technological tools would actively manage participants, guiding and incentivizing them to improve outcomes. The state reportedly spends about $1 billion annually on diabetes-related issues. If successful, the study could develop new protocols that save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually while improving public health.
“The program proposed by my bill will receive some, if not all, of the funding necessary to change our current reactive ‘sick care’ to proactive ‘well care’ for people with Type 2 Diabetes,” Rep. Hilovsky said. “It’s a big win for Delaware healthcare!”
State applications were required to include initiatives addressing preventive care, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation.
The other projects in Delaware’s proposal package include efforts to expand “Food is Medicine” programs, broaden the use of telehealth services and remote monitoring, and start a rural medical residency recruitment program.
The state’s complete application and supporting documents can be examined by clicking here.
