Late-session bill proposes breaking up Delaware health department
With about a week left in the legislative session, the Senate majority leader has introduced a bill that would look into breaking up the Department of Health and Social Services — the largest state agency that oversees programs like Medicaid, food stamps and disability and addiction services.
The department, which has 11 divisions, receives about $1.2 billion in state funding and employs about a quarter of all state employees. The bill, introduced by Democratic Sen. Nicole Poore, would create an 11-person committee to discuss ways to restructure the department, currently headed by Dr. Kara Odom Walker.
The legislation proposes creating two departments, with one overseeing policy and the other overseeing services for residents. The bill requires the committee to release an implementation report in March 2021.
"I certainly don't want to tell her how to do her job," Poore said of Odom Walker. "This is about making sure we create more efficiencies in the state of Delaware."
Read more: https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/health/2019/06/20/late-session-bill-proposes-breaking-up-delaware-health-department/1508550001/