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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: November 3, 2017
DHSS-11-2017

MEDIA ADVISORY: HEALTH CARE SPENDING BENCHMARK EVENT

WHAT: During a town hall co-hosted by five state legislators, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker will discuss the need for a health care spending benchmark in Delaware and what that will mean for Delawareans. In September, Gov. John Carney signed House Joint Resolution 7, which authorized DHSS to develop a health care spending benchmark that is linked to the state's rate of economic growth. The resolution had strong bi-partisan support. In a federal analysis released this summer, Delaware had the third-highest per capita spending for health care in the country, behind only Alaska and Massachusetts. In 2014, Delaware's per-capita rate of $10,254 was 27 percent higher than the U.S. average. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimated that if Delaware continues at that pace, total health care spending in the state will more than double from $9.5 billion in 2014 to $21.5 billion in 2025. In terms of overall health, Delaware ranks 31st among the states, according to America's Health Rankings. The benchmark will serve as a major step in transforming Delaware's health care system to a more outcome-driven system and away from a system that pays for care based solely on the number of hospital room days, doctor visits, procedures and tests.
WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6
WHERE: McKean High School, 301 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington
WHO: DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker State Sen. Greg Lavelle State Sen. Anthony Delcollo State Rep. Gerald Brady State Rep. John Mitchell State Rep. Michael Ramone
DETAILS:For more information on the health care spending benchmark, go to: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dhcc/global.html

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

MEDIA ADVISORY: HEALTH CARE SPENDING BENCHMARK EVENT

Delaware's Government