Two of Delaware’s statewide elected officials who have also served as healthcare professionals urge support of federal legislation that would expand eligibility for a program that offers financial stability to individuals with disabilities.

“Less than one year ago, Delaware took the positive step of launching an ABLE program, known as DEPENDABLE, which allows individuals with disabilities to create savings plans without jeopardizing other important government benefits. Savings in an ABLE account can be used for medical services not covered by insurance, transportation, housing – things that can drastically improve a person’s quality of life. According to the CDC, Delawareans spend $1.2 billion in disability-related healthcare expenditures alone. Financial wellbeing is an important component of overall personal health, and recognizing the economic disadvantages of those who have disabilities helps us to create a more stable path towards wellness.

By passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 651), the ability to save would expand from individuals who acquired a disability before age 26, to those whose disabilities began before age 46. This would allow the program to help so many more Delaware residents, including service members and veterans. We urge Congress to help ensure our family members, friends, and neighbors can have a financially stable future by expanding eligibility for this important program.”

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program allows for the creation of tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities without compromising eligibility for federal benefits such as Medicaid and Social Security. Delaware’s ABLE plan was first facilitated by bipartisan HB60 and Primary Sponsor Rep. Melanie George Smith. Additional Sponsors included Senate Members Henry, Cloutier, Peterson, McDowell, and Lavelle as well as Reps. Paradee, Heffernan, Ramone, and Miro.

DEPENDABLE is administered by the Office of the State Treasurer.
Learn more about Delaware’s ABLE Plan by visiting ABLE.delaware.gov.

Wilmington, Del.- Lt. Governor Hall-Long issued the following statement regarding the Fallen Delaware State Trooper:

“My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family of the Delaware State Police Trooper who lost his life in the line of duty. Across our state, law enforcement officers, and first responders bravely risk their lives every day to keep our families and our communities safe. Today’s shooting is a tragic reminder of the dangers they face in doing so. My thoughts and prayers are with the Trooper’s friends, family, and colleagues in this time of grief and sadness.”

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In his first address to a joint General Assembly, Governor Carney highlighted some of Delaware’s recent successes, along with areas he is aiming to improve upon as Delaware’s Governor. Among those areas is Delaware’s need to combat the deadly addiction epidemic that took the lives of over 300 Delawareans in 2016. Governor Carney hopes that he can work to lower that number.

“Prevention is key” said Governor Carney.  “But, we also need an all hands on deck approach to save the lives of those battling opioid and heroin addiction.”

In his speech, Governor Carney tapped Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to lead Delaware’s efforts in combating addiction, improving mental health services, and creating a statewide integrated system of care. Lt. Governor Hall-Long, a nurse, and former chair of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee brings a combination of background and expertise in this arena.

“We lose about 20 Delawareans to overdoses each month”, Lt. Governor Hall-Long stated. “This is an epidemic that ignores income, race, and geography. Fighting it is a team effort that requires us to stay one step ahead, and I look forward to leading Delaware’s effort to combat this deadly epidemic and focus on improved delivery and coordination of mental health services statewide.”

Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Hall-Long hope to have legislation in place later this year that would begin to address the most pressing issues including overdose deaths, access to care, and treatment delivery.