Delaware took the top spot for hospital quality, and several high rankings in other categories. (Photo of Christiana Hospital)
Delaware has been named the top state in the nation for hospital quality, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best States” rankings released this week.
The First State rose to the #1 spot from its second-place finish in 2024, earning national recognition for its commitment to healthcare excellence.
The rankings, which assess 71 metrics across eight categories, praised Delaware hospitals for high performance in a range of treatments and procedures, including cancer care, joint replacements, and treatment of organ failure.
Delaware also climbed in other healthcare categories, ranking #5 for overall healthcare quality and #10 for healthcare access.
Brian Frazee, president and CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA), attributed the state’s success to ongoing innovation and investment by healthcare providers.
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“Delaware hospitals are proud to be first in hospital quality,” he said. “Our members innovate and invest in high-quality care daily in our goal to improve healthcare access and outcomes. While our foundation is strong, we can’t let the HB 350 hospital-control law bulldoze our progress.”
Frazee also used the opportunity to criticize proposed state legislation—House Bill 350—which would impose budgetary controls on hospitals.
He cited Vermont’s similar approach as a cautionary tale, pointing to high insurance premiums, hospital closures, and a #35 ranking in hospital quality as indicators of policy failure.
“Vermont still has some of the highest healthcare costs in the nation while most hospitals are operating at a loss, cutting jobs and services, and several are on the verge of closing, which is why no other state in the country is looking to them for advice on healthcare policy,” he said. “This is the moment to stand up for Delaware and demand real solutions that support a strong healthcare workforce and access to quality care for our uniquely aging and growing state.”
Delaware’s healthcare system has earned multiple accolades in recent years. Several hospitals in the state have received five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and others have been recognized by Newsweek and U.S. News as top regional and world-class institutions.
The state is also among the top 10 nationwide for patient safety, according to data from The Leapfrog Group.
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.
Source: delawarelive.com…