NEWS: Senator Pettyjohn, Rep. Jones Giltner Issue Statement Regarding House Bills 350 and 395
Legislators denounce expedited process and dismissal of experts’ warnings.
DOVER, DE - Following the release of House Substitute 2 for House Bill 350 and House Bill 395 from the respective committees, Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R - Georgetown) and Representative Valerie Jones Giltner (R - Georgetown) released the below statement.
“Despite strong opposition from Delaware’s medical community and a bipartisan contingent of legislators, House Substitute 2 for House Bill 350 with House Amendment 1 (HB 350) has been released from the Senate Executive Committee. Expert witnesses from all over Delaware crowded the Senate Chamber and gallery on Tuesday evening to attempt to educate the Senate about the harm this bill would bring to all Delawareans. According to a statement by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend and Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, the bill will be scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate later this month.
“Perhaps just as concerning as, if not more so than, the details of HB 350 is the process by which the Democrat supermajority in the General Assembly has steamrolled the proposal through each legislative chamber. Conversations with the chairman of the Delaware Healthcare Association, Dr. David Tam, MD, were initiated on March 8, 2024, the first iteration was introduced on March 12th, and a substitute bill was introduced just nine days later. On March 27th, the House Administration Committee held HB 350’s hearing. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, and healthcare officials from Delaware’s non-profit hospital systems arrived at Legislative Hall to voice their opposition, only to be ignored.
“HB 350 received the bare minimum number of votes required, passing the House 21-16. Before the vote and after four hours of discussion, Democrats forced a vote to shut down the debate, denying some House members the right to express their opinions.
“Prior to the Senate Executive Committee meeting, healthcare officials offered an amendment that would have made the bill workable for the hospitals. Democrats refused to accept the amendment and instead drafted a watered-down version as a separate piece of legislation. That bill, House Bill 395 (HB 395), was placed on today’s House Administration Committee agenda without public notice and through a suspension of the rules process. Due to the last-minute addition of HB 395 to the House Administration Committee agenda, the public and healthcare workers were unaware and, thus, unable to give public comment. Democrat committee members voted to release the bill.
“The lack of respect shown by the authors of these bills throughout this process has been truly disheartening.
“Experts say HB 350 will severely harm the state’s non-profit hospitals, result in employment cuts, and ultimately reduce Delawareans’ access to healthcare. States with similar laws in place are seeing hospitals shut their doors and experienced physicians leave.
“Democrats have thus far refused to listen to these experts and are instead rushing bad legislation through that will do nothing but limit healthcare options for the people of Delaware.”
Senator Pettyjohn represents the 19th Senate District.
Representative Jones Giltner serves the 37th Representative District and has 40 years of healthcare experience as a retired critical care nurse and consultant.
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Rest in peace, Rodney. Your loss will be felt throughout Delaware.Our hearts are heavy today as our friend moves on. Thanks for all the great years Chief Marvel.
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As currently written, House Bill 350 will severely harm Delaware's hospitals and our access to healthcare. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last week and will be heard in the Senate Executive Committee this coming Tuesday, May 7th, at 4:00 p.m.
Representative Valerie Jones Giltner, a former critical nurse and healthcare consultant with 40 years of experience, joined me on our caucus's podcast to discuss HB 350 and dangers it presents to our non-profit hospitals.
The episode is out now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more! (Link in the comments below)
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Yesterday, Senator Buckson and I joined Director Keeley of the DE Lottery for a tour of the Lottery Offices. It was great to learn more about the lottery's products and the extent of their daily operations.
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My colleagues and I had the pleasure of welcoming Sussex Central High School's state championship wrestling team to Legislative Hall yesterday afternoon! Congratulations to the wrestlers and coaches on this great accomplishment!
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Today, we recognize line workers across the nation for their important work of keeping America's power grid functioning. These brave men and women are often called to work around the clock and service our electric lines during hazardous weather. Thank you for all you do!
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House Bill 1 to House Bill 350 has been released from the House Administration Committee despite overwhelming opposition from healthcare officials, doctors, nurses, and lawmakers.
The legislation, proposed by Democrat House Speaker Valerie Longhurst and Senate Democrat Leader Bryan Townsend, would create the five member Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board. This board would have the capacity to require hospitals to adjust spending plans or, if a hospital fails to do so or the plan is viewed as unsatisfactory, be able to impose its own budget plan for said hospital.
As Representative Valerie Jones Giltner and I discussed at our previous constituent coffee meeting, this legislation could possibly destroy Delaware's healthcare industry and hospital systems. Hospitals throughout the state, particularly in Kent and Sussex counties, could go under.
It is vitally important that you make your voice heard and express your opposition to this bill. The concerns of Beebe, Bayhealth, and others were completely ignore during the House Administration Committee hearing last month.
The last thing Delaware needs is political appointees overseeing our healthcare. Visit www.deha.org/Advocacy-Legislation/Act-Now to express your opposition.
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🚨🚨🚨ALERT🚓🚓🚓
There has been an increase in thefts from vehicles within the town limits of Georgetown. Please take measures to reduce your chances of being victimized. We rely heavily on our community to report these crimes, so that we have a better opportunity to solve them. You can be part of the solution by locking your vehicles and reporting suspicious activity. Reports can be made by dialing 911 or remain anonymous by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Town of Georgetown, Delaware
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Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
517 PM EDT Wed Apr 3 2024
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Sussex County in southern Delaware...
* Until 545 PM EDT.
* At 517 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Sharptown, or 10 miles southeast of Hurlock,
moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Bridgeville, Sycamore,
Blades, and Bethel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
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Photos from Delaware Emergency Management Agency's post
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