Bill Text: DE SR24 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Addressing The Public Health Need On Identification Of The Appropriate Level Of Healthcare By Directing The Department Of Health To Perform A Landscape Analysis Of Urgent Care Centers In The State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-06-30 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES [SR24 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2023-SR24-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Poore |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 24
ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC HEALTH NEED ON IDENTIFICATION OF THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF HEALTHCARE BY DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PERFORM A LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS OF URGENT CARE CENTERS IN THE STATE.
WHEREAS, Delaware is currently facing a primary care shortage, emergency departments are overcrowded and demand for urgent medical services is growing because more and more people are relying on urgent care facilities to meet their healthcare needs; and
WHEREAS, accessing the appropriate level of medical care is critical for the prevention of more serious illnesses, improving public health, lowering the cost to the patient, and reducing healthcare costs and the burden on the overall healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services can assist the general public by providing information on medical facilities in Delaware that can help patients determine the right level of medical care efficiently and effectively; and
WHEREAS, services offered, hours, medical staff training, and quality care among urgent care centers can vary significantly; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no way for the public to ascertain this information in Delaware and therefore people lack the necessary information and resources to make informed decisions about the most appropriate setting for their healthcare needs; and
WHEREAS, this confusion can lead to negative patient outcomes, unnecessary emergency room visits, and longer wait times for true emergencies; and
WHEREAS, evaluating the development of an advanced urgent care or similar model can help educate the public, improve patient safety, enhance quality of care, and reduce the strain on emergency departments and the healthcare system.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 nd General Assembly that the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services shall perform a comprehensive landscape analysis of urgent care centers in the state to provide policymakers and the public with the necessary information to make informed decisions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the landscape analysis shall include for each urgent care center present in Delaware:
(1) A list of services offered by each urgent care center (including testing and technology capabilities) .
(2) The types of medical staff available onsite and their training and qualifications, and onsite availability .
(3) The urgent care center hours of operation .
(4) Accreditation status with a national accreditation agency .
(5) A list of insurance coverage accepted by each urgent care center.
The landscape analysis report shall include best practices to educate the public on identifying the most appropriate healthcare setting to serve their medical needs, including the exploration of the development of an advanced urgent care or similar model in Delaware.
The Department of Health and Social Services shall provide the report to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2025.
SYNOPSIS
This resolution recognizes the State’s role in assisting the general public in accessing the right level of medical care efficiently and effectively and, specifically, the growing role of urgent care centers in alleviating the burden on the overall healthcare system. The resolution directs the Delaware Department of Health to perform a comprehensive landscape analysis of urgent care centers and submit recommendations on how best to educate the public on choosing the appropriate healthcare setting and the consideration of the development of an Advanced Urgent Care model. This report is due to the General Assembly by January 1, 2025.
Author: Senator Poore
