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SB 28 Puts More Teeth in Delaware Community Healthcare

The Morris James LLP Government Relations team wasted no time working legislation during the first month of the 152nd Delaware General Assembly. Last session’s accomplishment was successfully passing Senate Bill 277 on dental licensure.  Morris James Government Relations Advisor Nicole Freedman built on that success by working closely with Health Committee Chair Senator McBride to pass Senate Bill 28 in record time. SB 277 allowed dentists working in underserved communities to secure a Community Health License, mirroring similar dental licensing opportunities throughout the nation.  SB 28 will insure those dentists have the option to work part-time, with the license renewing biennially for licensees in good standing.

SB 28 also extended the deadline for the Dental Care Task Force to complete its work. This Task Force is made up of members of the Delaware Dental Board, the Delaware Dental Society, State officials, representatives from the disabilities and addiction communities and a Federally Qualified Health Center representative.  The task force met a total of six times over the past four months. The anticipated release date for the Dental Care Task Force report is in April 2023. According to the bill’s prime sponsor, Senator McBride, “This is just the start of my teeth-related bills this year (everybody has them, we need to keep them healthy!). . . . . And, if you know a dental school graduate, give me their number – I will personally ask them to come work in Delaware!”

Morris James LLP is honored to represent the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers in its efforts to bring healthcare equity to the First State, and applauds the work of its Delaware Federally Qualified Health Center members, Westside Family Health, Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, and La Red Health Center.  Please contact Nicole Freedman if you are interested in representation during this legislative session, grant writing services, or other government relations assistance. Dentists should contact Senator McBride!

Picture caption: Left to right, Nicole Freedman, Morris James, Deb Parker, Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, Senator Sarah McBride, Shay Scott, Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, Doreen Rushton, La Red Health Center.

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Dementia Care: Morris James Client Spotlight

Partner Kimberly Hoffman, head of the Morris James Legislative and Regulatory Practice, assisted the Harrison family in the disposition of their legacy real estate assets in Delaware. Now she'd like to share Thomas F. Harrison's recent publication on caring for those with dementia, co-authored with a Harvard professor. Our clients have a wide range of talents and interests! Congratulations, Mr. Harrison. More ›

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Delaware Federally Qualified Health Centers are Recognized by the 151st Delaware General Assembly

On April 14th, 2022 Delaware’s House of Representatives recognized all three of Delaware’s Federally Qualified Health Centers via a House Concurrent Resolution presented by Representative Melissa Minor-Brown and Senator Sarah McBride. This resolution reaffirms values the State and FQHC’s share: every individual deserves quality, affordable, culturally respectful care, as well as their commitment to reducing racial health disparities. Lolita Lopez, CEO and President of Westside Family Healthcare, Brian Olsen, CEO of La Red Health Center, Shay Scott, CEO and  Dr. Yvette Gbemudu, Chief Medical Officer and Family Physician at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center were on hand at the General Assembly to receive recognition on behalf of their organizations.  More ›

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Delaware Legislative Healthcare Update: End of 2021 Session

With the first leg of Delaware’s 151st General Assembly in the rear-view mirror, we thought now would be a good time for a highlights reel on the unprecedented number of healthcare related legislation passed or considered in 2021, with a look ahead to the resumption of session in January of 2022, and annotations for those who do not reside in the First State. More ›

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Flavors Hook Kids Delaware to Address Impact of Flavored Tobacco Products on Delawareans

Morris James is pleased to share that on Wednesday, March 10, the Flavors Hook Kids Delaware coalition will host an educational webinar, It Ends with Flavors: Protecting Delaware Communities from Flavored Tobacco, to shed light on the impact of flavored tobacco in Delaware communities and discuss policy solutions to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state. More ›

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Morris James Recognizes the annual Great American Smokeout

Morris James is proud to be working alongside our client the American Heart Association and partners like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on evidence-based policy solutions that will curb the epidemic of tobacco and electronic cigarette use and addiction among our youth. Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. One in four Delaware high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. In fact, youth e-cigarette use has skyrocketed to what the FDA have called “epidemic” levels. E-cigarette use among U.S. high school students jumped by 135 percent over the last two years alone. Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths.  More ›

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After the Election a Step to the Left for the 151st General Assembly, and A Foot in the DC Door

On Saturday, November 7, Delaware’s Frawley Stadium in Wilmington became the most famous parking lot in the world as President-Elect Joe Biden delivered his victory speech, together with Vice-President-Elect, Kamala Harris. The Delaware Democratic Party faithful waived flags, honked horns and posted numerous photos of themselves from CNN on social media. The First State and the Nation’s Capital will become more connected than even Acela could make it until now. However, Democrats were also celebrating state-house wins, though not every seat under contention flipped blue, much like the national picture. So here is a roundup of things to watch for and expect based on where we are today. More ›

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Morris James LLP Offers Businesses Assistance with COVID-19 Grants from Delaware Division of Small Business

Small businesses and non-profits in Delaware that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for up to $100,000 as part of the Delaware Relief Grant program offered through the Division of Small Business. The funds are derived from the federal CARES Act. The first round of applications opens on September 8th with additional rounds opening in October and November. A copy of your business or non-profit’s 2019 tax return, receipts for qualifying expenses, and a Delaware Business License are needed to get started. More information can be found at www.delbiz.com/relief. More ›

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Tobacco-Free Kids to Hold Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony

Is Delaware Poised to Further Curb Youth Smoking?

According to the High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted every two years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Delaware high school students who smoke is higher than the national average. With Governor Carney taking action in April 2019 by signing Senate Bill 25, Delaware continues to take the right steps toward tobacco prevention. The First State now prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. More ›

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Delaware General Assembly Acts to Extend Telehealth Availability as the COVID Crisis Continues

Like other states, in order to help Delawareans maintain access to critical medical services, the First State’s COVID-19 related emergency declaration and subsequent modifications embraced telehealth. Governor Carney’s Declaration of a State of Emergency, and accompanying modifications (2, 8, and 10) throughout the months of March and April expanded telehealth services in unprecedented ways, removing barriers such as the requirement that a first visit to a physician providing telehealth services take place in person. Now, the General Assembly has stepped in with House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 348, signed by the Governor on July 17, 2020, which will not expire until July 1, 2021. More ›

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Morris James Donates to Beebe Medical Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund

BeeBe Medical Foundation DonationMorris James donated $5,000 to Beebe Medical Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, which helps cover medical equipment, supplies, and costs directly associated with patient care to support healthcare professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On April 21, 2020, Keith Donovan, Managing Partner at Morris James, presented the check to Dr. David Tam, President and CEO of of Beebe Healthcare and Tom Protack, President of Beebe Medical Foundation. More ›

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Delaware General Assembly Announces Plans to Reconvene Legislative Session

On Thursday, May 14th the Delaware General Assembly announced plans to virtually reconvene. Leveraging a Delaware Constitutional amendment made in 2018 allowing for sessions to take place in alternative locations during an emergency, the sessions will be broadcast via YouTube, which will be posted on the General Assembly’s website.

The first virtual session will be broadcast on Tuesday, May 26th in which the House will pass the concurrent resolution to remove any impediments to conducting a virtual meeting. The Senate will convene virtually on Wednesday, May 27th to pass the same House concurrent resolution and consider several gubernatorial nominations. The Joint Finance Committee hearing dates will be announced at a future date. *

Additional virtual sessions will be announced in the coming weeks, allowing the General Assembly to meet its Constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget by June 30th.  Leadership has also signaled there may be special sessions in the fall.  More ›

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Chancery Denies Preliminary Injunction Against Nurse Practitioner Based Upon Overbroad Restrictive Covenants

FP UC Holdings, LLC v. Hamilton, C.A. No. 2019-1029-JRS (Del. Ch. Mar. 27, 2020).

A party seeking a preliminary injunction must demonstrate a likelihood of success at trial. In a breach of non-compete action, this burden may not be met when economically unjustified restrictive provisions are “too broad as they would essentially prevent Defendant from operating … anywhere in the United States.” More ›

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Morris James LLP Partners with NAMI Delaware for Virtual Walk

Posted In NAMI Delaware, News

On May 30, NAMIWalks will be a virtual experience where participants get to walk a 5K through their neighborhood, around the backyard, on a treadmill. Anything meaningful and fun to celebrate the virtual walk day is acceptable. Morris James will have a virtual walk team to continue our long-time support of NAMI Delaware. Anyone who would like to get involved in this worthy cause can find more information by clicking here, and friends of the firm are welcome to join our walk team! Please contact team captain Edward McNally at 302.888.6880 for more information.

NAMI Delaware is the largest provider of housing for those with persistent and serious mental illness in the State of Delaware. NAMI supports and advocates for Delaware families who must navigate the mental health system, all at no cost to its clients. NAMI also provides Crisis Intervention Training to law enforcement agencies, helping them to help those in crisis and our veterans in need.

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Morris James Raises $10,000 for Food Bank of Delaware

Food Bank of Delaware LogoWe are proud to announce that through our employee matching program, Morris James LLP has raised $10,000 for the Food Bank of Delaware. More ›

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