DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS RELATED TO THE STATE’S HIGH HEALTH CARE COSTS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Marie Pinkney and 4 co-sponsors

Directs DHSS to study and identify feasible strategies to reduce Delaware’s high health care costs while preserving or improving health outcomes.

Passed By House. Votes: 31 YES 10 NO

Overview

SJR 19 (Session 153, Delaware) is a Senate joint resolution directing the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to explore solutions aimed at addressing the state’s high health care costs. The resolution was introduced and assigned to the Senate Executive Committee on June 9, 2026. It has three co-sponsors: Raymond (Ray) Seigfried, Marie Pinkney, and Bryan Townsend.

Purpose and intent

The primary purpose of SJR 19 is to recognize the issue of high health care costs in Delaware and to prompt formal exploration of potential solutions.

Rather than mandating specific policy changes or new programs, the resolution seeks a structured review process within DHSS to identify feasible strategies that could reduce overall health care spending while maintaining or improving health outcomes.

Key provisions

Directs DHSS to explore and assess solutions related to the state's high health care costs. While text specifics are not provided in the summary, typical elements of such directives may include:

Evaluating payment models (e.g., value-based care, provider reimbursement reform).
Assessing cost drivers (pharmaceutical pricing, administrative costs, care delivery inefficiencies, uninsured/underinsured population impacts).
Reviewing public programs (Medicaid, public health initiatives) for cost containment and efficiency.
Considering legislative or regulatory changes required to implement promising strategies.
Analyzing potential savings, scalability, and impact on health outcomes.
Consulting with stakeholders (providers, payers, patient advocacy groups) and reviewing best practices from other states.

The resolution acts as a formal inquiry and planning framework rather than a funding authorization or policy mandate.

Who would be affected

State programs and agencies: DHSS would lead the exploration, analysis, and reporting efforts.

Health care providers, payers, and patients: Indirectly affected through any proposed policy changes or program reforms identified by the DHSS review.

State budget and health policy landscape: Findings could influence future legislative or administrative actions aimed at controlling or reducing health care costs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced and assigned to the Senate Executive Committee.

Next steps typically involve DHSS conducting the mandated exploration, preparing a report detailing findings and recommended approaches, and presenting it to the General Assembly or relevant committees. The resolution may specify a timeline for reporting or subsequent consideration, though such details are not provided in the current summary.

As a non-binding resolution, it does not itself create new law or authorize spending but sets a formal obligation for study and reporting.

Potential impact and considerations

By commissioning a thorough review, the bill could identify practical, evidence-based strategies to mitigate high health care costs in Delaware.

If the DHSS report yields viable options, the General Assembly may consider legislation or budget actions to implement cost-containment measures.

The resolution emphasizes a data-driven, collaborative approach, potentially fostering stakeholder engagement and cross-agency coordination.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on particular aspects (e.g., potential policy options commonly explored in such reviews, or how similar resolutions have functioned in other states).