Delaware receives $35 million federal grant for health improvement plan

A $35 million federal grant will help create a new Health Care Innovation Plan in Delaware.

The plan, which has been in development for more than a year, is aimed at strengthening primary care efforts, increasing health outcomes and reducing the cost of care.

According to state health officials, Delawareans pay 25 percent more for health care than the national average but health outcomes are below the national average in categories such as cancer mortality, diabetes and obesity.

“At the heart of this work is a focus on improving the health of Delawareans and their experience with the health care system,” said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. “Whether an individual needs treatment for a chronic condition like diabetes, experiences a health emergency, or has the opportunity to prevent future health challenges, the innovation plan provides a way to ensure that patients receive well-coordinated, high quality care to help them achieve a healthy life.”

The Health Care Innovation Plan could save more than $1 billion in health care costs over the next five years, according to the state. Work funded by the grant will support various health agencies including primary care practices, population health initiatives, health information technology, workforce training and development and clinical and payment innovation.

“This grant will make it possible to put their plan into practice and we will begin to transform our system to one in which providers are rewarded for quality rather than quantity of care and for their innovative efforts to better serve our people. Together we will ensure Delawareans are healthier than ever before,” said Gov. Jack Markell.