Delaware would study diabetes care with 400 to 500 volunteers

The human resources secretary would organize a volunteer diabetes care study. The state would first seek 400 to 500 volunteers with diabetes from its group health plan. If fewer than 400 state health plan patients join, the secretary may open the study to qualified Delaware volunteers and their doctors through other health plans. The secretary must select a technology company before the study can begin. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately. The study would start 90 days after the secretary publishes notice that a technology company has been selected and 400 to 500 volunteers have been recruited.

Doctor-led care teams would make care plans and monitor each participating patient's health. These plans and checks would cover volunteers accepted into the study. Teams would offer diet and lifestyle advice based on each patient's needs. Information shared with the study must follow federal health privacy rules. At first, teams would compare health data every three months and repeat lab tests every six months.

The Delaware Health Information Network would report on the study. The network would send results to state officials and lawmakers. If results are strongly positive, the secretary could stop the study early and expand the program. The secretary would review the data and consult the Sunset Committee before deciding whether to continue or expand it. Reports would begin six months after the study starts. The network would send a final report within six months after the study ends. The study would end three years after it starts unless lawmakers extend it.