NEWS FEED

DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats
Date Posted: March 17, 2026

DNREC, DEMA to Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week March 16 to 20
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Public Advocate Names New Deputy and Key Staff to Strengthen Consumer Advocacy
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

DOJ secures convictions in the murder of Marell Lowe
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Controlled Burn to be Scheduled at Brandywine Creek State Park
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Governor Meyer Celebrates 125 Years of Delaware Libraries
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Bring Your Family History to Life at the Archives’ Community Digitization Days
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Registration Now Open for DNREC-Sponsored Christina River Watershed Cleanup
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Delaware accelerates statewide early literacy strategy with more than $8m to strengthen classroom reading instruction
Date Posted: March 12, 2026

Upstate Trout Season to Open in New Castle County Streams with Youth-Only Day Set for April 4
Date Posted: March 12, 2026

Delaware Division of the Arts Seeks Public Input in New Statewide Strategic Planning Process
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

Delaware Bay Barge Fire Declared Under Control
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

DNREC Announces 2025-‘26 Deer Harvest Totals, Launches New Interactive Game Harvest Dashboard
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

Suspicious Package Prompts Investigation at Dover DMV
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Delaware Bay Barge Fire
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Property Reassessment & Your Insurance: What Really Drives Premium Costs
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Amid Hints of Spring, DNREC Reminds Delawareans of Yard Waste Options, Including Beneficial Reuse
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Capitol Police Seeks Public Comment on Assessment
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Returns from India Trade Mission with New Investment and Innovation Opportunities
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

DNREC Now Soliciting Community Water Quality Improvement Grant Project Proposals
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

Two Cape Henlopen Trails to Close for Repairs
Date Posted: March 6, 2026

DelDOT Accepting Applications for TAP Community Projects
Date Posted: March 6, 2026

Delaware Officials Highlight DTRN360, Innovative Behavioral Health Care Coordination Platform
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

AG Jennings sues Trump Administration to stop latest round of illegal tariffs
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware Policy Leaders Take Aim at Primary Care Reform, Health Care Affordability
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware students attend U.S. premiere of Glory Ride
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Women and Tavern Keeping on the Dover Green at the Archives’ March First Saturday Program
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Wilmington DMV Appointment System Now Open
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Smyrna Building Fire
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer Proclaims March 9-13, 2026 Severe Weather Awareness Week
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

DNREC to Resume Sand Bypass Operations At Indian River Inlet After Signing Contract With First State Crane Service
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

The Mezzanine Gallery presents Tanya Bracey’s “Community”
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

DSB Launches Online Form to Nominate New Opportunity Zone Census Tracts
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

Attention Ag Insurance Agents: Subsidy issues subject of Monday, March 9 virtual Q&A with USDA Risk Management Agency
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

AG Jennings intervenes in USPS case that would allow guns to be mailed with virtually no limits
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

Delaware Department of Education sets measurable targets to accelerate student achievement statewide
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

AG Jennings blocks another Trump Admin attempt to defund SNAP, collect personal data
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

March 1-7 is Weights and Measures Week in Delaware
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Delaware Entradas a las fiestas para ver los partidos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 saldrán
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DE Tourism Announces Watch Party Ticket Sales Launch March 5
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Delaware Lt. Gov Gay, Education Secretary Marten celebrate 302 Day with fourth graders
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DOJ Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Leipsic House Fire
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DOJ obtains prison sentence for fatal 2022 shooting
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Issues Statement on the Unanimous Upholding of Senate Bill 21 by the Delaware Supreme Court
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

DSHA announces participants in zoning and land use reform pilot program
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Signs Executive Order Streamlining State Permitting Regulations
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DSB Prepares to Deploy Next $20M in SSBCI Funding
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DNREC Closes The Point at Cape Henlopen March 1 to Protect Nesting, Migrating Birds
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

Natalia Gatti Named 2026 Delaware State Champion for Poetry Out Loud
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DHSS, DNREC Reopen PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant Opportunity Through March 27
Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Diverse Histories Virtual Exhibit Launches, Expanding Delaware’s Story Beyond 1776
Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Governor Meyer Terminates Delaware State of Emergency
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Announces 302 Day Service Projects Statewide
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Emergency Shelters Closing
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

DOJ obtains dual prison sentences for 2019 shootings
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

AG Jennings, DOJ employee to accompany Rep. Sarah McBride and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester to State of the Union Address
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Now Open at Delaware State University
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Delaware 250 to Host “Celebrate Delaware” Black-Tie Celebration at Hotel Du Pont
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Fee Season to Begin March 1, Kicking off Year-Long 75th Anniversary Celebration at Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

State of Delaware Announces 10 a.m. Opening for Kent and Sussex Counties on February 24, 2026
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Driving Restrictions Lifted Statewide Effective Immediately
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

State of Delaware Announces Office Operations for Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 1 Driving Warning Lifted for New Castle County
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Kent and Sussex County Downgraded to Level 2 Driving Restriction, New Castle County Remains at Level 1 Driving Warning
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Driving Restrictions Update: New Castle County Downgraded to Level 1, Kent and Sussex Counties Remaining at Level 3
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban for Kent County, Level 2 Driving Restriction for New Castle County to remain in effect
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban Still in Effect for Sussex County
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban for Kent and Sussex Counties, Level 2 Driving Restrictions for New Castle County Starting at 10 pm
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Level 2 Driving Restriction Issued for Kent and Sussex Counties Effective at 9pm.
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

State of Delaware Offices Will Be Closed on Monday, February 23, 2026
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Level 1 Driving Warning in Effect Statewide
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

State of Emergency Declaration National Guard Activated for Winter Storm Response
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Significant Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Snow, Strong Winds, and Coastal Flooding to Delaware
Date Posted: February 21, 2026

Downtown Development District Rebate Program opening application process for new District designations
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

DPH Reports Measles Exposure at Nemours Children’s Hospital Emergency Department in Wilmington
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Statement from AG Jennings and Gov. Meyer on victory over Trump tariffs at SCOTUS
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Wilmington DMV Operational Update
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Governor Meyer, DSHA, Apennine celebrate start of new housing in Georgetown
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Delaware Holds Career Fair to Expand Youth Pathways and State Employment Opportunities
Date Posted: February 19, 2026

Spring Pond Trout Season to Open With Youth-Only Day March 7, Followed by Regular Downstate Opener March 8
Date Posted: February 19, 2026

Charter School Accountability Committee recommends revocation of BASSE’s charter
Date Posted: February 18, 2026

Sponsors and meal sites sought for 2026 Summer Food Service Program
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

UPDATE – Dagsboro Explosion 09/30/25
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Join DOC’s Spring 2026 Citizens Academy for an insider’s look at Delaware’s correctional system
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Governor Meyer Orders the Lowering of Flags to Honor the Lives of George Bunting and John Viola; Rev. Jesse Jackson
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Presents Order of the First State to Five Delawareans
Date Posted: February 16, 2026

DOJ secures life sentence in fatal shooting of Dmajah Tickles
Date Posted: February 16, 2026

DPA Calls for Extension of PJM Capacity Price Cap to Protect Consumers
Date Posted: February 13, 2026

Delaware School Safety Center Hosts School Security Officer Training for Delaware School Constables
Date Posted: February 13, 2026

Delaware Tourism Announces World Cup 2026 Partnership & Plans
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

LEADelaware welcomes 11 new members for Class VIII, celebrates Class VII graduation
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Hawkins selected as 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Recipient
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Department of Correction launches enhanced community notification system
Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Delaware Announces Second Annual “Futures in the Arts” Celebration Announced
Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium to Create a Comprehensive State of the State of Perinatal Health Report
Date Posted: February 10, 2026

DPH to Host Summit on Building Healthy, Strong Communities in Delaware
Date Posted: February 10, 2026

DE Libraries Celebrate 2026 Blue Hen Book Award Winners
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

State of Delaware Opens Initial RFPS to Transform Rural Health Care
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

Delaware Department of Labor Marks Successful Paid Leave Launch in January
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

NEWS FEED

DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats
Date Posted: March 17, 2026

DNREC, DEMA to Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week March 16 to 20
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Public Advocate Names New Deputy and Key Staff to Strengthen Consumer Advocacy
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

DOJ secures convictions in the murder of Marell Lowe
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Controlled Burn to be Scheduled at Brandywine Creek State Park
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Governor Meyer Celebrates 125 Years of Delaware Libraries
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Bring Your Family History to Life at the Archives’ Community Digitization Days
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Registration Now Open for DNREC-Sponsored Christina River Watershed Cleanup
Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Delaware accelerates statewide early literacy strategy with more than $8m to strengthen classroom reading instruction
Date Posted: March 12, 2026

Upstate Trout Season to Open in New Castle County Streams with Youth-Only Day Set for April 4
Date Posted: March 12, 2026

Delaware Division of the Arts Seeks Public Input in New Statewide Strategic Planning Process
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

Delaware Bay Barge Fire Declared Under Control
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

DNREC Announces 2025-‘26 Deer Harvest Totals, Launches New Interactive Game Harvest Dashboard
Date Posted: March 11, 2026

Suspicious Package Prompts Investigation at Dover DMV
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Delaware Bay Barge Fire
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Property Reassessment & Your Insurance: What Really Drives Premium Costs
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Amid Hints of Spring, DNREC Reminds Delawareans of Yard Waste Options, Including Beneficial Reuse
Date Posted: March 10, 2026

Capitol Police Seeks Public Comment on Assessment
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Returns from India Trade Mission with New Investment and Innovation Opportunities
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

DNREC Now Soliciting Community Water Quality Improvement Grant Project Proposals
Date Posted: March 9, 2026

Two Cape Henlopen Trails to Close for Repairs
Date Posted: March 6, 2026

DelDOT Accepting Applications for TAP Community Projects
Date Posted: March 6, 2026

Delaware Officials Highlight DTRN360, Innovative Behavioral Health Care Coordination Platform
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

AG Jennings sues Trump Administration to stop latest round of illegal tariffs
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware Policy Leaders Take Aim at Primary Care Reform, Health Care Affordability
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware students attend U.S. premiere of Glory Ride
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Women and Tavern Keeping on the Dover Green at the Archives’ March First Saturday Program
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Wilmington DMV Appointment System Now Open
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Smyrna Building Fire
Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer Proclaims March 9-13, 2026 Severe Weather Awareness Week
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

DNREC to Resume Sand Bypass Operations At Indian River Inlet After Signing Contract With First State Crane Service
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

The Mezzanine Gallery presents Tanya Bracey’s “Community”
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

DSB Launches Online Form to Nominate New Opportunity Zone Census Tracts
Date Posted: March 4, 2026

Attention Ag Insurance Agents: Subsidy issues subject of Monday, March 9 virtual Q&A with USDA Risk Management Agency
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

AG Jennings intervenes in USPS case that would allow guns to be mailed with virtually no limits
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

Delaware Department of Education sets measurable targets to accelerate student achievement statewide
Date Posted: March 3, 2026

AG Jennings blocks another Trump Admin attempt to defund SNAP, collect personal data
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

March 1-7 is Weights and Measures Week in Delaware
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Delaware Entradas a las fiestas para ver los partidos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 saldrán
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DE Tourism Announces Watch Party Ticket Sales Launch March 5
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Delaware Lt. Gov Gay, Education Secretary Marten celebrate 302 Day with fourth graders
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DOJ Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

Leipsic House Fire
Date Posted: March 2, 2026

DOJ obtains prison sentence for fatal 2022 shooting
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Issues Statement on the Unanimous Upholding of Senate Bill 21 by the Delaware Supreme Court
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

DSHA announces participants in zoning and land use reform pilot program
Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Signs Executive Order Streamlining State Permitting Regulations
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DSB Prepares to Deploy Next $20M in SSBCI Funding
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DNREC Closes The Point at Cape Henlopen March 1 to Protect Nesting, Migrating Birds
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

Natalia Gatti Named 2026 Delaware State Champion for Poetry Out Loud
Date Posted: February 26, 2026

DHSS, DNREC Reopen PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant Opportunity Through March 27
Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Diverse Histories Virtual Exhibit Launches, Expanding Delaware’s Story Beyond 1776
Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Governor Meyer Terminates Delaware State of Emergency
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Announces 302 Day Service Projects Statewide
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Emergency Shelters Closing
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

DOJ obtains dual prison sentences for 2019 shootings
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

AG Jennings, DOJ employee to accompany Rep. Sarah McBride and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester to State of the Union Address
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Now Open at Delaware State University
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Delaware 250 to Host “Celebrate Delaware” Black-Tie Celebration at Hotel Du Pont
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Fee Season to Begin March 1, Kicking off Year-Long 75th Anniversary Celebration at Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

State of Delaware Announces 10 a.m. Opening for Kent and Sussex Counties on February 24, 2026
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

Driving Restrictions Lifted Statewide Effective Immediately
Date Posted: February 24, 2026

State of Delaware Announces Office Operations for Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 1 Driving Warning Lifted for New Castle County
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Kent and Sussex County Downgraded to Level 2 Driving Restriction, New Castle County Remains at Level 1 Driving Warning
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Driving Restrictions Update: New Castle County Downgraded to Level 1, Kent and Sussex Counties Remaining at Level 3
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban for Kent County, Level 2 Driving Restriction for New Castle County to remain in effect
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban Still in Effect for Sussex County
Date Posted: February 23, 2026

Level 3 Driving Ban for Kent and Sussex Counties, Level 2 Driving Restrictions for New Castle County Starting at 10 pm
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Level 2 Driving Restriction Issued for Kent and Sussex Counties Effective at 9pm.
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

State of Delaware Offices Will Be Closed on Monday, February 23, 2026
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Level 1 Driving Warning in Effect Statewide
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

State of Emergency Declaration National Guard Activated for Winter Storm Response
Date Posted: February 22, 2026

Significant Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Snow, Strong Winds, and Coastal Flooding to Delaware
Date Posted: February 21, 2026

Downtown Development District Rebate Program opening application process for new District designations
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

DPH Reports Measles Exposure at Nemours Children’s Hospital Emergency Department in Wilmington
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Statement from AG Jennings and Gov. Meyer on victory over Trump tariffs at SCOTUS
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Wilmington DMV Operational Update
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Governor Meyer, DSHA, Apennine celebrate start of new housing in Georgetown
Date Posted: February 20, 2026

Delaware Holds Career Fair to Expand Youth Pathways and State Employment Opportunities
Date Posted: February 19, 2026

Spring Pond Trout Season to Open With Youth-Only Day March 7, Followed by Regular Downstate Opener March 8
Date Posted: February 19, 2026

Charter School Accountability Committee recommends revocation of BASSE’s charter
Date Posted: February 18, 2026

Sponsors and meal sites sought for 2026 Summer Food Service Program
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

UPDATE – Dagsboro Explosion 09/30/25
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Join DOC’s Spring 2026 Citizens Academy for an insider’s look at Delaware’s correctional system
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Governor Meyer Orders the Lowering of Flags to Honor the Lives of George Bunting and John Viola; Rev. Jesse Jackson
Date Posted: February 17, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Presents Order of the First State to Five Delawareans
Date Posted: February 16, 2026

DOJ secures life sentence in fatal shooting of Dmajah Tickles
Date Posted: February 16, 2026

DPA Calls for Extension of PJM Capacity Price Cap to Protect Consumers
Date Posted: February 13, 2026

Delaware School Safety Center Hosts School Security Officer Training for Delaware School Constables
Date Posted: February 13, 2026

Delaware Tourism Announces World Cup 2026 Partnership & Plans
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

LEADelaware welcomes 11 new members for Class VIII, celebrates Class VII graduation
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Hawkins selected as 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Recipient
Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Department of Correction launches enhanced community notification system
Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Delaware Announces Second Annual “Futures in the Arts” Celebration Announced
Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium to Create a Comprehensive State of the State of Perinatal Health Report
Date Posted: February 10, 2026

DPH to Host Summit on Building Healthy, Strong Communities in Delaware
Date Posted: February 10, 2026

DE Libraries Celebrate 2026 Blue Hen Book Award Winners
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

State of Delaware Opens Initial RFPS to Transform Rural Health Care
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

Delaware Department of Labor Marks Successful Paid Leave Launch in January
Date Posted: February 9, 2026

Delaware News

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Legislative Leaders and Insurance Commissioner announce Senate Bill 1

**** DOVER, DE (March 5, 2026) – Health policy leaders in Delaware unveiled Senate Bill 1 today, which aims to put patients and providers first by rebalancing the healthcare dollar and enhancing access to high quality, affordable care. This bold proposal builds off of the Department of Insurance’s implementation of prior law, which invested more than $203M in primary care from 2022-2025. Even while continuing investments in primary care, Senate Bill 1 could conservatively save a cumulative $282M over the first five years of full implementation across state-regulated health plans and enrollees.

“For more than a decade, Delaware has outpaced the nation in health care cost growth, without corresponding results in the health of residents. The affordability provisions in Senate Bill 1 could save more than $50M per year, lowering premiums across State and commercial plans while investing in the care that improves health and drives down costs long-term. Premiums are higher than ever due to Congressional inaction and Delaware’s high health care costs – there is no time to waste,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

Delaware is the state struggling the most with primary care provider shortages, with just 16.36% of need met according to Becker’s Healthcare. Primary care plays a central role in prevention of costly care, chronic disease management, and health equity. As recently reported by Millbank, having a usual source of primary care was associated with having nearly 54% lower total health care expenses for adults with chronic disease.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to make healthcare affordable for all Delawareans, we need to address both recently inflated costs, and long-term trends in both outcomes and price,” said Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend.

“More and more, we see employer plans cut benefits instead of cutting costs through addressing health outcomes and health care prices. If commercial plans throughout the state take up models similar to Senate Bill 1, cumulative savings could be up to $442.7M and Delaware would no longer be the second most expensive state for employer-based health insurance premiums,” said House Health and Human Development Committee Chair Nnamdi Chukwuocha.

More than half of U.S. adults reported that their health care costs have increased in the past year, making it their top financial concern according to a KFF poll. The legislation’s improved health outcome savings, coupled with reasonable cost containment strategies fully fund its mandated primary care investments. Savings brought forward by the legislation are owned by the health plans, employers, and policyholders, and cannot be retained by insurers given medical loss ratio standards. The Department of Insurance will assess savings as part of the rate review process to negotiate lower premiums.

By stabilizing and strengthening primary care, the bill aims to reduce avoidable emergency care, hospitalizations, and long-term chronic conditions. Addressing both use and cost are key to savings, as relative to Medicare, Delaware ranks No. 7 nationally for highest inpatient prices and No. 4 for highest outpatient hospital costs according to RAND reports. Hospital inpatient services are the largest share of Delaware’s health care spending, and hospital outpatient services are the third largest. These costs have grown more than 300% over the last 20 years, whereas the national average is closer to 150% and neither annual inflation nor median household income have reached 50% growth at the same time.

This legislation aligns squarely with Governor Matt Meyer’s stated goals of improving health care affordability and access for all Delawareans, while strengthening the foundation of our health care system – primary care – where better outcomes, and lower costs, begin. Governor Meyer’s historic Rural Health Transformation Program effort will meaningfully invest in helping rural health care providers and federally-qualified health centers shift to the more sustainable payment models of value-based care, including through integration new technology and collaboration. Senate Bill 1 will build upon this bold effort to enhance provider readiness by ensuring ample opportunity exists in all forms of insurance contracting and ensuring current efforts do not sunset.

When reviewed by the nonpartisan impartial experts within Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research at Brown University they calculate Delaware employers, health plans, and policyholders could save approximately $442.7M annually with Senate Bill 1 in effect if adopted across the commercial market. With carriers gaining experience in value-based care and cost containment practices through the implementation of legislation, leaders are hopeful that insurers and companies will consider expansion of the approach into plans the state law does not control.

“Delaware has the seventh-highest hospital prices in the nation. Those high prices translate directly into higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for residents, making it harder for families to afford the health care they need,” said Roz Murray, an assistant professor of health services, policy and practice at the Brown University School of Public Health, who modeled the anticipated commercial savings from the legislation’s cost containment strategy. “We commend Delaware’s leaders and the Department of Insurance for exploring research-backed, systemic solutions to improve health care affordability for all Delawareans.”

Without this legislation, Delaware’s public policy efforts around primary care would sunset, making the state the first in the nation to go backwards on investments, value, and affordability efforts.

Physicians across the state support Senate Bill 1

The legislation received early endorsements from health care providers and groups throughout the state.

“The Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) has been a consistent advocate for comprehensive primary care reform and is proud to have contributed to the policy framework that has advanced these efforts statewide. We recognize the continued leadership of the Delaware Department of Insurance and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend in introducing Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening Delaware’s healthcare delivery system.

SB1 reflects key policy priorities long supported by MSD, including sustainable primary care investment, workforce stabilization, and payment reform measures designed to ensure long-term viability of community-based practices. By reinforcing these structural supports, the legislation will help safeguard access to high-quality, affordable primary care services for Delawareans and promote a more resilient healthcare system overall,” said Brian J. Galinat, MD, MBA, President of the Medical Society of Delaware.

Senate Bill 1 has been assigned to Senate Health & Social Services committee, to follow along, and view the bill visit Legis.Delaware.gov

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Legislative Leaders and Insurance Commissioner announce Senate Bill 1

**** DOVER, DE (March 5, 2026) – Health policy leaders in Delaware unveiled Senate Bill 1 today, which aims to put patients and providers first by rebalancing the healthcare dollar and enhancing access to high quality, affordable care. This bold proposal builds off of the Department of Insurance’s implementation of prior law, which invested more than $203M in primary care from 2022-2025. Even while continuing investments in primary care, Senate Bill 1 could conservatively save a cumulative $282M over the first five years of full implementation across state-regulated health plans and enrollees.

“For more than a decade, Delaware has outpaced the nation in health care cost growth, without corresponding results in the health of residents. The affordability provisions in Senate Bill 1 could save more than $50M per year, lowering premiums across State and commercial plans while investing in the care that improves health and drives down costs long-term. Premiums are higher than ever due to Congressional inaction and Delaware’s high health care costs – there is no time to waste,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

Delaware is the state struggling the most with primary care provider shortages, with just 16.36% of need met according to Becker’s Healthcare. Primary care plays a central role in prevention of costly care, chronic disease management, and health equity. As recently reported by Millbank, having a usual source of primary care was associated with having nearly 54% lower total health care expenses for adults with chronic disease.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to make healthcare affordable for all Delawareans, we need to address both recently inflated costs, and long-term trends in both outcomes and price,” said Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend.

“More and more, we see employer plans cut benefits instead of cutting costs through addressing health outcomes and health care prices. If commercial plans throughout the state take up models similar to Senate Bill 1, cumulative savings could be up to $442.7M and Delaware would no longer be the second most expensive state for employer-based health insurance premiums,” said House Health and Human Development Committee Chair Nnamdi Chukwuocha.

More than half of U.S. adults reported that their health care costs have increased in the past year, making it their top financial concern according to a KFF poll. The legislation’s improved health outcome savings, coupled with reasonable cost containment strategies fully fund its mandated primary care investments. Savings brought forward by the legislation are owned by the health plans, employers, and policyholders, and cannot be retained by insurers given medical loss ratio standards. The Department of Insurance will assess savings as part of the rate review process to negotiate lower premiums.

By stabilizing and strengthening primary care, the bill aims to reduce avoidable emergency care, hospitalizations, and long-term chronic conditions. Addressing both use and cost are key to savings, as relative to Medicare, Delaware ranks No. 7 nationally for highest inpatient prices and No. 4 for highest outpatient hospital costs according to RAND reports. Hospital inpatient services are the largest share of Delaware’s health care spending, and hospital outpatient services are the third largest. These costs have grown more than 300% over the last 20 years, whereas the national average is closer to 150% and neither annual inflation nor median household income have reached 50% growth at the same time.

This legislation aligns squarely with Governor Matt Meyer’s stated goals of improving health care affordability and access for all Delawareans, while strengthening the foundation of our health care system – primary care – where better outcomes, and lower costs, begin. Governor Meyer’s historic Rural Health Transformation Program effort will meaningfully invest in helping rural health care providers and federally-qualified health centers shift to the more sustainable payment models of value-based care, including through integration new technology and collaboration. Senate Bill 1 will build upon this bold effort to enhance provider readiness by ensuring ample opportunity exists in all forms of insurance contracting and ensuring current efforts do not sunset.

When reviewed by the nonpartisan impartial experts within Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research at Brown University they calculate Delaware employers, health plans, and policyholders could save approximately $442.7M annually with Senate Bill 1 in effect if adopted across the commercial market. With carriers gaining experience in value-based care and cost containment practices through the implementation of legislation, leaders are hopeful that insurers and companies will consider expansion of the approach into plans the state law does not control.

“Delaware has the seventh-highest hospital prices in the nation. Those high prices translate directly into higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for residents, making it harder for families to afford the health care they need,” said Roz Murray, an assistant professor of health services, policy and practice at the Brown University School of Public Health, who modeled the anticipated commercial savings from the legislation’s cost containment strategy. “We commend Delaware’s leaders and the Department of Insurance for exploring research-backed, systemic solutions to improve health care affordability for all Delawareans.”

Without this legislation, Delaware’s public policy efforts around primary care would sunset, making the state the first in the nation to go backwards on investments, value, and affordability efforts.

Physicians across the state support Senate Bill 1

The legislation received early endorsements from health care providers and groups throughout the state.

“The Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) has been a consistent advocate for comprehensive primary care reform and is proud to have contributed to the policy framework that has advanced these efforts statewide. We recognize the continued leadership of the Delaware Department of Insurance and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend in introducing Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening Delaware’s healthcare delivery system.

SB1 reflects key policy priorities long supported by MSD, including sustainable primary care investment, workforce stabilization, and payment reform measures designed to ensure long-term viability of community-based practices. By reinforcing these structural supports, the legislation will help safeguard access to high-quality, affordable primary care services for Delawareans and promote a more resilient healthcare system overall,” said Brian J. Galinat, MD, MBA, President of the Medical Society of Delaware.

Senate Bill 1 has been assigned to Senate Health & Social Services committee, to follow along, and view the bill visit Legis.Delaware.gov

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