Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 516

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 418

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE HEALTH CARE COMMISSION AND THE DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 84, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by striking §8401 through §8409 in their entirety.

Section 2. Amend §9903, Chapter 99, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e) and by creating a new subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) The Commission shall be responsible for the administration of the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER), which shall serve as an advisory hoard to the Commission, and the Chair of the Health Care Commission shall appoint the Chair of DIMER. The Commission shall have such other duties and authorities with respect to DIMER which are necessary to carry out the intent of the General Assembly as expressed in this chapter."

Section 3. Amend Chapter 99, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by designating §9901 through §9904 as Subchapter I entitled "Subchapter I. Findings, Organization and Duties of Commission." and creating a new Subchapter II to read as follows:

"Subchapter II. Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research.

§9905. Findings.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the purpose of the Delaware institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER), created in 1969 as an alternative to a state sponsored medical school, is sound and should be continued and strengthened. Delaware should continue to provide opportunities for Delaware residents to receive a medical education, but it would not be a wise use of resources for the State of Delaware to build and maintain a medical school.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the current arrangement between the State of Delaware and Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, which allows Jefferson to function as Delaware's medical school, is extremely valuable to the State and has produced benefits which far surpass the admission of 20 Delaware residents into Jefferson Medical College each year. The relationship with Jefferson Medical College through DIMER is built upon years of a solid working relationship and should be perpetuated.

(b) The General Assembly finds and declares that a new structure of the DIMER Board will more appropriately reflect DIMER's abilities to meet its responsibilities as outlined in this legislation.

(c) The General Assembly finds and declares that placing administration of DIMER within the Delaware Health Care Commission will enhance its ability to accomplish its goals, and ensure that DIMER's future functions will be focused on promoting medical education while helping the State to meet its health care needs.

§9906. Creation of a Board.

(a) There is hereby established the Board of Directors of the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (' Board.). which shall serve as an advisory board to the Health Care Commission.

(b) The Board shall consist of 16 members. 3 of whom shall be appointed by the Medical Center of Delaware: 6 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, consisting of 1 public member from each county and I public member from the City of Wilmington. and 2 members representing medical residency programs in the State. other than those operated by the Medical Center of Delaware: I of whom shall he appointed by the Association of Delaware Hospitals to represent hospitals in Kent and Sussex Counties: 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Delaware Higher Education Commission: 3 of whom shall be appointed by the University of Delaware. including representation from the College of Nursing: and 1 of whom shall be appointed by Delaware State University. the Director of the Division of Public Health shall serve as an ex officio member.

(c) All members, other than the ex officio member, shall he appointed for terms of 3 years, except that the present nine members shall serve the remainder of their terms and of the six 1101 appointments. 2 shall he for 3 years, 2 shall he for 2 years and 2 shall be for 1 year, to allow for staggered terms. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only to fill that vacancy for the remainder of the term. but shall he eligible tier re-appointment upon expiration of that term.

(d) No member of the Board shall receive compensation for his or her duties other than normal travel expenses incurred in carrying out his or her responsibilities as members.

(e) A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and shall be sufficient for am action by the Board.

(f) The Chair of the Board shall he appointed by the (hair of the Delaware Health Care Commission.

(g) The Board may establish working committees to assist in completing its work, however. it shall maintain a standing 'Committee on Rural Health to assure thus the unique health needs of rural Delaware are addressed in DIMER activities.

§9907. Purposes of the Board.

The purpose of the Board shall he to initiate, encourage and promote:

(a) Hic relationship with Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University as Delaware’s medical school, including ensuring the admission of 20 bona fide Delaware residents into Jefferson Medical College on an annual basis.

(b) Expansion of opportunities for Delaware residents to obtain training at a reasonable cost in the health and health-related professions when such residents commit to practice their professions in Delaware.

(c) Incentives for qualified personnel in the health and health-related professions to practice in Delaware.

(d) Continued development of a coordinated program of premedical. medical and graduate education among state public institutions of higher learning. Delaware hospitals and Jefferson Medical College.

(e) Support of graduate and post-graduate medical and health care training programs, including emphasis on those programs targeted to meet the State's health care needs.

(f) Programs of education and training in the health fields and research in health and health-related fields, both basic and applied, including the vital areas of public health education. community health planning, and health care costs.

§9908. Duties.

The Board shall be responsible for overseeing implementation of policies designed to accomplish the purposes set Birth in §9907 of this subchapter. and shall report to the Commission on its progress. Its activities and responsibilities shall include:

(a) Developing a recruitment program for medical education in conjunction with local colleges and universities to encourage medical school applications from minorities and residents of rural counties and underserved areas of Delaware. in addition to other students interested in pursuing a medical education.

(a) Developing and maintaining statewide communications, publicity and marketing plans in cooperation milt the Delaware higher Education Commission and other interested parties. %%Inch will promote awareness of the existence of DIMER and the Jefferson Medical College as Delaware’s alternative to a state sponsored medical school.

(c) Close monitoring of the relationship between the University of Delaware Medical Scholars Program and Jefferson Medical College admission slots reserved fig Delaware residents.

(d) Developing recruitment programs aimed at attracting premedical students interested in community and rural medicine, provided. however, that the Delaware Health ('are Commission shall be empowered to expand or replace this acts ay %% Mt other duties if required by the future health care needs of the State.

(e) Support. as appropriate. private sector provider recruitment efforts by consolidating information collection and dissemination efforts. such as stateside recruitment brochures.

(f ) Advising the Delaware Higher Education Commission as it administers and monitors scholarships, loans and loan repayment programs: 1) aimed at attracting graduates and residents in disciplines in which there is a shortage as determined by the Delaware Health Care Commission. and 2) offered to Delaware residents in financial need who wish to pursue a health-related education and to practice health-related professions in Delaware

The Board may develop working relationships and affiliation agreements with oilier institutions to facilitate carrying out the purposes of this chapter. Am such agreements shall he approved by the Delaware Health Care Commission, and the State of Delaware shall be a signature to and documents setting the terms of the agreements."

Approved July 17, 1996