Healthcare professionals from across Delaware gathered at Milford Wellness Village Nov. 20 to celebrate the 14th annual National Rural Health Day, which served as a chance to speak about the state of rural healthcare in Delaware.

The event was presented by the Delaware Rural Health Initiative, a private-public partnership between the state Division of Public Health and public health systems in Kent and Sussex counties that seeks to improve healthcare for rural Delawareans.

Betsy Wheeler, director of the DRHI, said 250,000 Delawareans in Kent and Sussex counties rely on rural healthcare systems.

“The challenges downstate are unique,” Wheeler said. “It’s an area of big spaces and small towns.” 

She said challenges include the lack of public transportation systems, maintaining provider workforce, high rates of poverty and lack of insurance. 

Rural healthcare has been a priority of Gov. Matt Meyer, who has announced plans to apply for up to $1 billion in federal funds to be used for rural healthcare initiatives.

Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Christen Linke Young said the funding is meant to deliver lower costs, expanded access and improved quality for rural residents. 

Young said Sussex County has 270,000 people served by only 130 primary care physicians, one of the worst ratios in the country. She said part of the focus on rural healthcare is due to “a great migration” of older people coming from surrounding states. Young said that migration is going to cause a strain on the healthcare system, calling for urgent reforms to be able to better handle the increased number of people needing care. 

Young said among the plans for using the federal Rural Health Transformation Program funds are to have a four-year medical school, investment in continued training for both physicians and non-physician practitioners, and building of two hope centers in Kent and Sussex counties. Young said these centers, which already exist in New Castle County, are meant to integrate housing, healthcare and employment support. 

Finally, Young said the plan is to try to get away from the fee-for-service model and get to more of a value-based model that is intended to bring down the cost of care.

“Ultimately, the plan reflects Delaware-specific steps that will blend the unique strengths of healthcare delivery in this region while addressing the challenges,” she said.

The Rural Health Day reception event included the presentation of the Community Star Award to Meir Gelley, founder of the Milford Wellness Village, which took over the space that was formerly Milford Memorial Hospital.