RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF MAY 10 THROUGH MAY 16, 2026, AS "NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Jones Giltner & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Bolden, Snyder-Hall, K. Johnson, Bush, Carson, Osienski, Dukes, Berry, Hilovsky, Yearick, Morrison, Kamela Smith, Gorman, Ross Levin; Sens. Sokola, Hoffner, Pettyjohn, Huxtable, Richardson, Mantzavinos

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 121

RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF MAY 10 THROUGH MAY 16, 2026, AS "NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, National Hospital Day was established in 1921 by former President Warren G. Harding to be celebrated annually on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, to honor her role in revolutionizing hospital care; and

WHEREAS, in 1953, National Hospital Week was established as a time of the year to reflect on the important contribution that hospitals make to provide safe, high-quality health care; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 6,000 hospitals in the United States providing essential and life-saving health care every day in a variety of hospital settings; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is home to the 5th-oldest population and the 6th-fastest-growing population in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Delaware hospitals and health systems care for patients through more than 3 million outpatient visits, through over 400,000 emergency department visits, through 90,000 inpatient admissions, and through delivering more than 10,000 babies in our state; and

WHEREAS, Delaware hospitals are the largest private sector employer in the state, providing over 30,000 direct jobs and supporting more than 51,000 jobs in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the nurses, physicians, hospital and healthcare workers that provide care and support to Delaware patients are vital lifelines to the health and wellbeing of our communities; and

WHEREAS, Delaware hospitals are currently ranked #1 in the nation for hospital quality by U.S. News & World Report and ranked #1 in hospital maternity practices by America’s Health Rankings; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is home to hospitals that are CMS 5 star rated, ranked as a World’s Best Hospital by Newsweek, and rated as a Best Regional Hospital by US News & World Report; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is home to 6 non-profit health systems providing acute care through 8 community hospitals across the First State, including one pediatric hospital. These hospitals ensure that healthcare services are available 24/7/365 to all; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is also home to behavioral health hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and a critical illness recovery hospital that provide needed specialized care for Delaware’s populations across the state; and

WHEREAS, Delaware hospitals and health systems provide a range of health services including acute inpatient care as well as outpatient, emergency, behavioral health, rehabilitation, long-term acute care, primary care and more; and

WHEREAS, hospitals and health systems continue to care for their community despite any challenges thrown at them; and

WHEREAS, patients and communities rely on the wide range of critical health care services that only hospitals and health systems can provide; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s acute care hospitals play a vital role in undergraduate and graduate medical education; and

WHEREAS, in the last 5 years, close to 300 physicians have stayed to practice in Delaware as a result of graduate medical education programs with nearly 200 specializing in primary care; and

WHEREAS, the celebration serves as a reminder that hospitals are foundations of the communities that built them and serve people from all walks of life in every community; and

WHEREAS, "National Hospital Week" celebrates hospitals and the people who support the health of their communities through dedication and compassionate care; and

WHEREAS, Delaware hospitals today are multidimensional organizations that partner with many other organizations in their communities to offer care with a focus on population health, prevention, and wellness.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, recognizes the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as “National Hospital Week” in the State of Delaware and encourages the members of the General Assembly and Delawareans to learn about the innovative, quality care and services that are improving the health and quality of life for residents.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as “National Hospital Week” in the State of Delaware.