Bill Seeks to Establish a Pilot Program to Reduce Diabetes

March 8, 2026

Sponsored by retired medical professional State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard), House Bill 305 would provide a framework for a three-year observational study aimed at reducing the incidence of Type 2 diabetes.

Rep. Hilovsky said the study would follow a small, representative group of diabetic patients as they progress through a new, intensive approach to reverse the progression of the disease. "We need to change standard healthcare from our current reactive 'sick care' to proactive 'well care,'" he said.

The pilot program will feature Delaware healthcare professionals using technology to monitor, test, manage, and incentivize diabetic patients to improve outcomes and reduce costs. If the study shows the initiative to be effective, the effort will likely be expanded.

The program is being federally funded through the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

Rep. Hilovsky said the state collectively spends more than $1 billion annually on treating diabetes and dealing with its related health impacts. He said that if the new protocol even modestly reduces the incidence of diabetes, it could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year.

House Republican co-sponsors of the bill include State Reps. Rich Collins, Tim Dukes, and Michael Smith.