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Jarek Rutz June 3, 2025Headlines, Health
This year’s round of applications for the Delaware Health Fund are due on the last day of August. (Photo by Doidam 10/Shutterstock)
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Health Fund Advisory Committee (HFAC) has opened the application period for Fiscal Year 2027 funding, with a deadline set for August 31.
In a change from previous years, applications went live earlier—on Monday, June 2—giving organizations more than two months to prepare their submissions.
READ: Education Funding Commission approves hybrid model for school funding
The new timeline also allows committee members about five weeks to thoroughly review applications before public hearings begin.

About the Health Fund

Governor Thomas R. Carper signed Senate Bill 8 into law on July 20, 1999, creating the Delaware Health Fund to improve health care access and invest in long-term public health initiatives.
Authored by Senator Patricia M. Blevins, the legislation directed all funds received by Delaware through the national tobacco Master Settlement Agreement into a dedicated account for health-related purposes.

The law also established the Delaware Health Fund Advisory Committee (DHFAC), which will advise the Governor and General Assembly on how to allocate expected funds each fiscal year.
The committee’s recommendations will align with the fund’s core goals, which include expanding access to affordable health care, enhancing health infrastructure, promoting preventive care, and reducing tobacco and substance use.
Funds may also support innovative medical testing, treatment for lesser-known chronic diseases, and payment assistance programs for residents managing recurring medical costs.

To apply to Health Fund

Interested applicants must submit their materials electronically to [email protected], copying [email protected].
All applications should be in PDF format and include the organization’s name at the beginning of the file name.
The Delaware Health Fund is supported by annual payments the state receives through the Master Settlement Agreement with participating tobacco manufacturers.
These funds support a range of public health initiatives across the state.
More information, including application materials, can be found here, and questions should be directed to James Berryhill at [email protected].

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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Nearly 800 law enforcement officers from across the state will participate in the 39th Annual Delaware Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, carrying the Flame of Hope from June 11 to June 13 in support of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Spanning from Fenwick Island to Wilmington, the three-day event features multiple relay legs and ceremonial stops, culminating in the delivery of the torch to the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center on Friday, June 13. The Torch Run highlights law enforcement’s longstanding partnership with Special Olympics Delaware, raising over $12 million since the event began to fund year-round training and competition in 15 sports. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run is one of the most powerful symbols of our movement, it shines a light on the unwavering commitment of Delaware’s law enforcement community to inclusion, respect, and unity,” said Lisa Smith, Senior Director of Marketing and Development for Special Olympics Delaware.  RELATED STORY: DFRC announces rosters for 69th Blue-Gold All★Star Football Game “For 39 years, these dedicated officers have not only carried the Flame of Hope, but also the hopes and dreams of our athletes. Their support helps fuel our mission and reminds us what it means to stand together for a more accepting world.” The Run kicks off with officers running simultaneous routes in both New Castle and Sussex counties, making ceremonial stops in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. The following day, runners continue north through Sussex County and south from Middletown, eventually meeting in Dover for a celebration at Legislative Mall. The final leg concludes in Newark, where officers carry the torch into the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games at the University of Delaware.
A months-long investigation by the New Castle County Division of Police High-Risk Offender Team has resulted in the arrest of three men and the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal drugs, authorities announced this week. The investigation, launched in March, targeted the distribution of controlled substances across the county. Police say the operation culminated on May 30 with the arrests of Daronce Beulah, 30, and Karon Phillips, 32, both taken into custody in Wilmington. A third suspect, 34-year-old Stepheon Mason, was arrested later that evening following a search of a Maple Street residence. READ: Delaware Health Fund accepting applications through Aug. 31 During the initial arrests of Beulah and Phillips, detectives recovered 627 bags of heroin/fentanyl—amounting to nearly 19 grams—as well as 6.5 grams of crack cocaine and over $1,400 in cash. The subsequent search of the Maple Street home, where Mason was apprehended, uncovered an even larger stash of drugs: 1,356 bags of heroin/fentanyl (45.38 grams) 4.7 grams of raw fentanyl 707 MDMA pills 689 grams of marijuana 84 Alprazolam pills $4,406 in cash All three suspects face a range of drug-related charges. Beulah, who is also accused of illegal firearm possession and endangering the welfare of a child, was held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $162,252 cash bail. Phillips faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges and is also being held at the same facility after failing to post $62,102 cash bail. Mason was charged with several offenses, including drug distribution and child endangerment. He was released on $6,800 secured bail. Police say the investigation highlights the continued threat posed by the distribution of dangerous narcotics, particularly fentanyl, in the community. Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is urged to contact New Castle County Police.
The First State’s finest dogs are getting a new task. The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) plans to redeploy all canine units across the state exclusively for contraband detection. The transition marks a significant change from the department’s longstanding use of patrol-focused K-9s for facility security and crowd control. The shift is part of a broader initiative to improve safety and reduce the presence of illegal drugs, electronics, and other contraband within Delaware’s prison system. READ: AAA warns of ‘100 Deadliest Days’ as teen driving deaths surge during summer The change is already underway and will be implemented gradually over the next year. “Our K-9 program transition to a universal contraband detection and mitigation mission aligns with national correctional K-9 best practices and better supports our broad goal of enhancing the safety, security, and wellness of all who live and work within Delaware’s correctional system,” said DOC Commissioner Terra Taylor. Currently, 18 of the DOC’s 28 K-9 teams are assigned to patrol duties, while the remaining 10 focus on contraband detection. Under the new policy, all future K-9s will be trained for detection work only. Unlike patrol dogs, which are bred to be aggressive and are mainly used for deterrence and perimeter control, detection dogs are more social and can operate safely in high-traffic areas such as gatehouses, housing units, and even individual cells. These dogs are trained to sniff out narcotics, electronic devices like cell phones, and other prohibited items. DOC officials say the transition will mostly occur through natural attrition as patrol dogs retire. In two recent cases, younger patrol dogs were exchanged for detection dogs. All retired dogs are adopted into pre-screened homes, with families receiving financial support for ongoing care under legislation passed in 2023. The department says this move is supported by a decade of investment in modern, intelligence-based security measures. These include thousands of new surveillance cameras, improved information-sharing, verbal de-escalation training for staff, and the use of less-lethal tools for conflict resolution. In addition to providing a safer and more flexible security presence, detection dogs also offer a psychological benefit: their presence alone serves as a powerful deterrent against smuggling efforts. Officials hope that the expanded deployment of these dogs will help reduce overdoses and other risks associated with contraband inside facilities. The move is expected to be fully completed by 2026. “This transition is a clear-eyed response to the persistent threat of illegal and dangerous contraband to our correctional facilities,” Taylor said.
WILMINGTON — In response to another fatal shooting in Wilmington’s 2nd District, local officials, community advocates, and residents gathered Wednesday to call for urgent action to address the city’s gun violence crisis.  The press conference, led by Councilwoman Shané Darby, came days after a shooting at 23rd and Washington streets left one person dead and injured a 9-year-old girl and a 19-year-old. “This is not just violence. This is a policy failure. This is political neglect. This is a public health crisis, and it has been for years,” said Darby.  She criticized the city’s failure to allocate long-term funding for anti-violence programs in the latest budget. “How can we not listen to the cries of our community and not have it in our budget? When you look at a budget, you see what your government cares about. While our streets are bleeding, dollars are drying up, and that is unacceptable,” she said.  Darby specifically called for permanent, codified funding for the Community Public Safety Initiative (CPSI), a street-level violence intervention program currently lacking guaranteed financial support beyond 2026. Dr. Deborah Mason, who runs CPSI and oversees the Wilmington Street Team, emphasized the critical but often invisible work her team does in neighborhoods most affected by gun violence. “We are out there fighting. We are out there when someone is shot,” Mason said. “We do this for the community.” Mason described how her team provides immediate support to families impacted by shootings — from food vouchers to funeral coordination and trauma care — often funded through donations and limited grants. “We do a lot of this with just simply donations and asking for help,” she said. “The people who work in this program are from the community. They live in the community.” Mayor John Carney later released a statement affirming his administration’s commitment to violence prevention. “One shooting is too many, and there will always be more work to be done,” he said. “This is why we have continued to support existing and effective violence reduction efforts already deployed and working in Wilmington.” Carney noted that the City has provided $3.8 million in direct funding to CPSI and committed an additional $1.8 million through December 2026 using American Rescue Plan Act funds. “We also support new collaborative programs like the Community Public Safety Initiative, which is working to provide needed services to residents in high-crime areas,” he stated. The mayor also pointed to efforts like the Group Violence Intervention initiative and Partners in Care, which pairs mental health professionals with police to provide support for residents facing behavioral health challenges. According to the administration, these combined strategies have contributed to a 47% reduction in shooting incidents this year compared with the same time last year. But Darby argued that temporary or delayed funding does not go far enough. “Imagine a city where we had a community resource hub in every district- being able to provide mental health services, support,” she said.  Darby concluded the event with a challenge to city officials, including those who were invited but did not attend. “Where is the long-term investment? Where is the policy commitment that treats our lives like they matter?” she asked. “What we need is care. What we need is community. What we need is courage.”
The Delaware Department of Insurance (DOI) reported early results from House Bill 371 this month, finding that the 2024 law has significantly improved the distribution of Fire Tax funds to volunteer fire companies in New Castle County. Signed into law in October 2024, HB 371 was introduced by Representative Kim Williams and Senator Jack Walsh during the 152nd General Assembly to correct longstanding issues in how Fire Tax revenue was geographically allocated. The legislation was developed in collaboration with the Delaware Volunteer Fire Association (DVFA), DOI, the State Treasurer, and the Controller General’s Office. Fire Tax is a portion of the premium tax paid by insurance companies, which is collected by DOI and distributed as directed by law. A share of these funds is designated for volunteer fire companies throughout the state and the City of Wilmington Fire Pension. However, DOI and local fire departments identified errors in how insurers reported geographic locations, often misclassifying properties with Wilmington mailing addresses that are outside city limits. As a result, New Castle County fire companies were receiving less than their fair share of tax revenue. RELATED STORY: Resolution proposes $63K in state funding for Wilmington Police projects HB 371 addressed the issue by implementing a zip-code based system to determine geographic allocation, ensuring more accurate and consistent disbursements. The approach was tested for a year prior to being signed into law. “Every year the General Assembly passes hundreds of bills, so it’s important that we follow up and ensure those laws are working as intended and truly serving Delawareans,” said Rep. Kim Williams. “Thanks to data from the Department of Insurance, we know that HB 371 is doing exactly that and providing our brave firefighters with more resources to keep our communities safe. This has been a decades-long issue and I’m glad that we were able to come together with the Delaware Volunteer Fire Association, the Department of Insurance, the Treasurer, and the Controller General’s Office to address the problem.” According to a May 15 report from the DOI, each New Castle County fire company has received approximately $381,000 more in funding since the reform took effect, including a $174,000 year-over-year increase. Overall, fire tax allocations in the county rose by about $8 million, while Wilmington’s fire pension allocations decreased by only $1 million—a shift attributed to more accurate data and ongoing growth outside city limits. RELATED STORY: Wilmington approves ambulance fee increases as Fire Department prepares to resume EMS “Throughout the implementation of this reform, each of New Castle County’s volunteer fire companies are receiving more accurate funds for their services protecting residents and insured properties. This year, their total disbursement from this portion of premium tax will be more than $1.25 million each,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “We are grateful that Rep. Williams, Senator Walsh, and the General Assembly took action to make permanent the improved method of calculating these funds. These dollars serve those that save lives, and I couldn’t be more proud to play a part in that process, which this year alone will provide more than $57 million dollars to companies up and down the state, and to the City of Wilmington Fire Pension.” HB 371 also streamlined the disbursement process by reducing the number of payments from two to one per year and gave the Insurance Commissioner additional time to verify the accuracy of reported data. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. As legislators, it’s our duty to ensure they have the resources they need to do their life-saving work as safely as possible,” said Sen. Jack Walsh. 
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What Nicotine Does to Your Body  Verywell Mind
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Rare intervention from former president urges people to call their senators to oppose Trump tax bill
Barack Obama has warned that Congress is putting millions of Americans at risk of losing healthcare coverage, in a rare intervention from the former president as the Republican party advances legislation that would gut major provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
“Congressional Republicans are trying to weaken the Affordable Care Act and put millions of people at risk of losing their health care,” Obama posted on social media. “Call your Senators and tell them we can’t let that happen.”
The Republican bill, passed by the House last month and now in the Senate, would strip healthcare coverage from 10.7 million Americans over the next decade – the biggest reduction since the party’s failed attempt to repeal Obamacare in 2017. Unlike that effort, Republicans are not branding this as repealing the act, but have instead buried the cuts in legislation to extend Trump’s tax breaks.
About 7.6 million people would lose Medicaid coverage and 3.1 million would lose marketplace insurance plans, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. The changes would cut more than $800bn over 10 years to help fund the tax cuts.
The legislation would force states to verify Medicaid eligibility every six months instead of annually; implement work requirements demanding 80 hours of monthly employment; and shorten enrollment periods, all which could overburden the system.
Most Medicaid recipients already work, with just 8% of healthy working-age adults unemployed and not in education or providing care, according to KFF research. The work requirements alone would account for a third of coverage losses.
The developments even have some Republicans bothered, including the Missouri senator Josh Hawley, who in mid-May called the cuts “morally wrong and politically suicidal” in an opinion piece for the New York Times.
The bill would also restore federal payments to insurers that reduce costs for low-income customers – but only if they refuse to cover abortions, causing problems for the insurance industry in the 12 states plus Washington where abortion coverage is mandatory. AHIP, the largest insurer trading group, told Politico there would be “immediate instability” if the changes proceed, particularly combined with expiring pandemic-era premium subsidies that help 4 million people afford coverage.
The healthcare cuts are driven by Republicans’ determination to extend Trump’s expiring tax cuts. Enrollment in Medicaid, the children’s health insurance program and the ACA marketplaces has grown from about 85 million Americans in 2017 to more than 100 million today, with annual spending rising from roughly $550bn to over $900bn annually.
Republicans insist they are targeting fraud and waste, though fraud detection units would receive no new funding under the bill. Trump told NBC: “They’re looking at fraud, waste and abuse. And nobody minds that.”

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Bridge the gap between mental and physical health care  Healthcare Brew
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