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Committee backs Delaware Diabetes Wellness Pilot to test CGM‑led, physician‑led care teams
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Summary
The committee released HB 305, authorizing a physician‑led Delaware Diabetes Wellness pilot focused on a volunteer cohort of at least 400 patients, real‑time continuous glucose monitor integration with Epic, collaboration with DHSS and the Department of Agriculture, and measurement of clinical and utilization outcomes; supporters urged including dietitians and equity safeguards, while some commenters cautioned about duplication and study rigor.
Representative Jones Giltner presented House Bill 305, the Delaware Diabetes Wellness Pilot, saying the bill would authorize a physician‑led, team‑based pilot to recruit a volunteer cohort of at least 400 patients to test real‑time continuous glucose monitor (CGM)‑enabled care and rapid measurement of clinical outcomes. Jones Giltner described the pilot as designed to "break down the silos" between DHSS, health systems, technology partners and the Department of Agriculture to support dietary access via the Delaware Grown program and to measure outcomes with an eye to expanding the approach if results are significant.
Jones Giltner said the bill requires individualized care plans, periodic lab measures, and guardrails that allow DHSS to stop or expand the pilot based on demonstrated outcomes. "If we see this is working, great. If it's not working, they can also stop it," she said. She emphasized a focus on rural populations under federal rural health definitions and said Sussex County would be a primary focus given the localized burden of disease.
Dr. William (Bill) Curry, a subject‑matter expert, testified about study design and data integration. He urged a control group: "Without a control group, they won't be able to look at what is going on outside of the healthcare system that might drive costs up or down," Curry said. He described the Delaware Health Information Network's (DIN) capacity to perform de‑identified statistical analysis and noted that Epic statewide integration makes real‑time clinical workflows feasible.
Public testimony was mixed. Cecile Tilney of the Delaware League of Women Voters supported the goals but questioned using a narrow pilot lacking methodological rigor and raised equity concerns for people without cell phones or Internet access. The Medical Society of Delaware and the Alzheimer's Association testified in support, emphasizing prevention and potential long‑term cost savings. DIN and multiple registered dietitians, including Jennifer Muzzy (Delaware Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and Donna Paul Hammes (University of Delaware), urged explicit inclusion of dietitians on care teams.
Committee members asked about participant diversity, phone access workarounds and the pilot's use of technology. Members expressed broad enthusiasm for shifting care from reactive to proactive models and flagged the need to ensure human oversight rather than AI replacing clinician judgement for patient adjustments. Representative Shoop moved to release the bill; Representative Smith seconded; the roll call produced multiple "Yes" votes and the chair announced the motion carries. The bill will proceed to the full House.
If enacted, the pilot would be funded through existing rural health transformation resources referenced in testimony; proponents emphasized the potential to decrease long‑term diabetes costs and improve patient outcomes if the pilot demonstrates measurable improvements.
