DelawareS Medical School Plans Face Scrutiny Amidst Pre-Existing Agreement with Jefferson University
Delaware’s ambitious $1 billion plan to expand rural healthcare access and establish its first medical school is already drawing questions, as a signed agreement reveals the state was in talks with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia before publicly announcing a competitive bidding process.
Delaware recently applied for federal funding through the “Rural Health Transformation Program,” a component of the Trump governance’s One Big Stunning Bill Act, which allocates $50 billion to states for rural healthcare infrastructure improvements. A key pillar of Governor Matt Meyer’s proposal is the construction of a new medical school, with over $100 million budgeted for the project through 2031. However, the emergence of a pre-existing agreement casts a shadow over the stated commitment to a fair and open selection process.
The agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on October 29th, indicates Delaware was actively pursuing a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, home to the Sidney Kimmel Medical College, weeks before Meyer publicly outlined the plan. University and Delaware leaders, including Meyer, finalized the agreement two weeks prior to the governor’s announcement regarding the potential $1 billion federal payout.
Initially unavailable to the public, the document was added to the state’s funding submission following an inquiry from Spotlight Delaware. While the state maintains it will open a competitive procurement process to identify a “partner institution” to operate the medical school, the MOU suggests a preference for Jefferson.
“Thomas Jefferson University has a strong track record of providing quality medical education to physicians across the Philadelphia area, and while we’re glad thay’ve raised their hand to collaborate with the State of Delaware, the MOU is not exclusive, and we will run an open and transparent procurement process,” stated Mila myles, a spokesperson for Governor Meyer.
Despite these assurances, questions remain about the fairness of the process. Meyer himself indicated at a press conference on Wednesday that the state is highly likely to partner with an out-of-state institution, given the lack of existing medical schools within Delaware. He further clarified that the state does not intend to build the medical school with “one partner” alone, suggesting a role for in-state universities, but the pre-existing agreement with Jefferson raises concerns about the weight given to other potential bids.
Jefferson, through the agreement, expressed its hope that the partnership will improve healthcare access and quality in Kent and Sussex counties, and potentially establish a branch campus of its Sidney Kimmel Medical College within the state. the agreement stipulates that delaware will “provide all necessary and appropriate financial resources” for the development and sustainability of any branch campus.
The state’s federal funding application outlines a phased approach, aiming to begin classes by the end of June 2028, with a contract award expected by the end of 2025. However, Neil Hockstein, chair of the Delaware Healthcare Commission, cautioned that Delaware is “unlikely” to receive the full $1 billion requested, given the state’s relatively small size.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Delaware is guaranteed at least $500 million if selected, with the remaining $500 million contingent on a variety of factors. the state’s application allocates the largest portion of the requested funds – $321 million – to rural medical providers and federally qualified health centers, followed by $192 million for training clinical support staff, and $107 million for telemedicine expansion. The proposed medical school is allocated $100 million.
Jefferson already maintains a presence in Delaware’s medical education landscape through existing relationships with christianacare, Beebe healthcare, and Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington. The agreement also proposes enhancing Jefferson’s current branch campus in Delaware, where residents currently complete their third and fourth-year rotations at ChristianaCare.
thomas Jefferson University declined to comment on the agreement. The situation highlights the complexities of securing federal funding and balancing the desire for local control with the practicalities of partnering with established institutions. As Delaware moves forward with its ambitious healthcare plan, transparency and a truly competitive bidding process will be crucial to ensuring the best outcome for the state’s residents.
