Senator Pinckney introduced Senate Joint Resolution 2, co‑sponsored by Representative Kamala Smith, saying the measure would ask the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) to prepare a plan for covering community health worker (CHW) services under Medicaid. Pinckney described CHWs as “trusted members of the communities they serve” who provide culturally and linguistically specific supports and assist people with health and social needs.

Multiple witnesses representing CHWs, health systems and nonprofit groups told the committee they support SJR2 and urged sustainable funding. Erin Rindaupt, speaking for the Community Health Worker Association of Delaware, said CHWs “are front line public health workers” and noted that 24 states currently fund CHW services through Medicaid while Delaware does not. Adriana Sosa, a CHW with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, described delivering wraparound services to clients and said CHW work in Delaware is “dependent on time‑limited grant‑based funding.”

Deanna Tybee McDuffie of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence gave a client example showing how CHW services connected a survivor to benefits, employment and legal help. Peggy Geisler, CEO of the Sussex County Health Coalition, told the committee Delaware already has an apprenticeship program for CHWs through the Department of Labor and that CHW coverage “makes economic sense” amid workforce shortages in Kent and Sussex counties. Dr. Alethia Miller, maternal and child health clinical director at DMMA, said DMMA is “supportive” and that a DMMA staff member serves on the CHW work group.

Witnesses and sponsors said a small fiscal note will accompany the resolution and that DMMA and stakeholders are working through program and payment design questions; no committee vote is recorded in the transcript.