Thursday, August 16th
10:00 am – 11:30 am
There is a great deal of research and work being done to allow states and pharmaceutical manufacturers to move forward with voluntary value based contracting arrangements. At this roundtable, you’ll have the opportunity to raise your questions and discuss the opportunities and challenges to making VBC work.
Lori Abramson, LCSW is Director of the Georgia Families 360° program at the Georgia Department of Community Health. She ensures that children in foster care, adoption assistance, and youth in the juvenile justice system receive medical, dental, and behadvioral health care without barriers. Lori has 38 years’ experience in clinical practice, advocacy, collaboration building, and the managed care environment. Lori’s professional focus is about leveraging that experience on behalf of Georgia’s children and families.
Sessions:
Making Waves in the Individual Market: How Did We Get Here?
Jessica Altman was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner in March 2018, following a two-year tenure as Chief of Staff. Prior to her service in PA, she held variauous positions with the Federal government, developing policy and facilitating implementation of the ACA. In addition, she analyzed policy for the White House Office of Management and Budget while completing her master’s degree.
Commissioner Altman has a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University.
Ryan is a passionate champion of healthcare transformation and payment reform. He believes in aligning incentives that support public sector domains to fundamentally improve people’s quality of life. Prior to leading NYS’ Medicaid payment reform efforts, Ryan advised State governments on major health & human services transformations, including Affordable Care Act implementation and developing integrated service delivery capabilities. Ryan is a veteran of NYS policy, having advised on a number of issue areas in the NYS Legislature.
Amir Bassiri is a Senior Policy Advisor for Health in the Executive Chamber. He joined the Executive Chamber in 2015 through the Empire State Fellows Program working as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services on various policy areas, including pharmaceuticals, as well as other strategic health initiatives. Prior to joining the Executive Chamber, he served as the Director of Development at Urban Upbound, a not-for-profit organization committed to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City. He earned his B.A. in both Economics and Psychology from the University of California, Davis, before earning a Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W) from Columbia University. He is fluent in Farsi.
Elisabeth Benjamin is the Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society, where she supervises health policy, health advocacy, and consumer health assistance programs that annually help 100,000 consumers and small businesses enroll in and use health insurance or access low-cost health care. Ms. Benjamin has received many honors, including: the New York State Health Foundation Luminary Award (2016) and the Progressive Leadership Award (2014). Ms. Benjamin is a graduate of Harvard School of Public Health and Columbia Law School.
Debra Bercuvitz is the Substance Use Coordinator for the Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition. She is currently leading projects to improve Early Intervention referrals and enrollment for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Ms. Bercuvitz has been instrumental in the development of many state initiatives including the perinatal recovery coach workforce, perinatal substance use community collaboratives, IDEA Part C services for substance exposed newborns, and the Plan of Safe Care. She was formerly the director of a home visiting program staffed by peer mentors, working with perinatal women affected by substance use disorders, and their children.
Since 2009, Mr. Betlach has served as Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s single state Medicaid agency. Mr. Betlach reports to the Governor on the AHCCCS program, which currently provides health care coverage to 1.9 million Arizonans at an annual cost of $12 billion.
Through his leadership, Arizona: launched the first integrated health plan for persons with serious mental illness; leads the nation in duals alignment; is streamlining justice system transitions to health care; remains one of the lowest cost long term care programs nationally; has maintained high levels of home and community based placement for persons with long term care needs; created an integrated specialty plan for children with special health care needs; and modernized operational processes and systems, including enhancing data analytics in Medicaid.
Donna Bradbury directs the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families at the Office of Mental Health. She oversees all community-based children’s mental health programs in New York State. She is currently leading the effort to transition children’s behavioral health services into Medicaid managed care as part of the larger Medicaid Redesign project.
Prior to state service, Donna worked for twelve years for the Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health. She delivered clinical services to children and their families, served as a consultant to Family Court as well as county-operated human service departments and schools, ran a specialized treatment program which successfully prevented institutional placement for many youth, and assisted in the creation and implementation of several interagency initiatives that resulted in children and their families having easier access to better quality services.
Jacquelyn Clymore has served as the State’s HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Director in the Communicable Disease Branch, North Carolina Division of Public Health since 2009. She oversees the HIV Care Program, the HIV/STD Prevention Program, the North Carolina HIV Medication Assistance Program (HMAP, formerly ADAP), the HIV Health Equity Program and since 2015, the Viral Hepatitis Program. She represents North Carolina as a member of the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. She has played a key role in securing awards for the state which have helped build infrastructure and strengthen treatment and linkage to care for clients living with HIV disease. The HIV/STD Prevention and Care Unit is responsible for assuring that CDC funds reach health departments and community organizations across the state for HIV and STD testing, for the Ryan White and HOPWA funds that provide HIV care and housing to uninsured and under-insured HIV positive people, and working to link all clients to care with the critical goal of achieving HIV viral suppression.
Terry Cothran, Director, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy - Pharmacy Management Consultants
Sessions:
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Terry Cothran is currently the Director at Pharmacy Management Consultants (a division of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy) with 27 years of pharmacy experience and 24 years of that in management. He was previously the Operations Manager in other departments, such as Medication Therapy Management, Consulting Pharmacy, and Prior Authorization in a large Pharmacy Benefit Management environment. Prior to that, he was the Operations Manager in Specialty Pharmacy, the Regional Manager of Store Operations in a retail chain, and manager in the independent pharmacy environment.
Rob Cotterman, Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health Services, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Sessions:
All the Right Moves: Transitioning Individuals Out of Psychiatric Institutions
Rob is a veteran of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, having dedicated 32 years of services at the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute
in Chattanooga. Rob has served as a psychiatric technician, rehabilitation therapist and supervisor, program director, Assistant Superintendent for Program Services, CEO, Director of Hospital Services and most recently Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health Services. In addition to his responsibilities at Moccasin Bend, Rob has served as an ancillary professor in the Graduate
School of Psychology for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and as a day treatment counselor for Chattanooga Psychiatric Clinic, now Fortwood Center. Rob is a graduate of Tennessee
Government Executive Institute and holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Psychology from William Jennings Bryan College. Rob served on the Board of Directors for several community organizations that include: the AIM Center for Mental Health, Hamilton County Homeless Healthcare Center, and Hamilton County Mental Health Court Advisory Board. In his free time, Rob enjoys spoiling his toy poodles, bowling, and working to preserve and maintain his historic 120-year-old home.
Mary Beth Dyer, M.P.P; has years of experience in health policy, management, and strategic planning for state and federal governments, managed care plans, and academic health systems. She possesses specialty expertise in value-based purchasing and Medicaid managed care. During her 10+ years as a Senior Consultant at Bailit Health, Mary Beth has worked with numerous clients to help improve the quality and value of services received by covered populations. Mary Beth directs Bailit Health’s work for the State Health and Value Strategies Program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Her prior experience includes 4 years directing the Massachusetts Medicaid MCO program and 6 years in D.C. as a health policy advisor for the U.S. Senate, CMS, and Project HOPE. Mary Beth received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Kimberly Early serves as the Policy Director with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. She has over 16 years of state government experience working in various capacities in the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. Most recently, Kimberly was the Deputy Director of the Policy Office in the Department of Human Services. She also served in the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Office of Children, Youth and Families within the Department of Human Services. She has experience in family health, quality assurance, and public health accreditation within the Department of Health. Kimberly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and Temple University with a Master of Social Work degree. She is a licensed social worker.
Mary Fliss, Deputy, Clinical Strategy and Operations, Washington State Health Care Authority
Mary Fliss serves as the Deputy for Clinical Strategy and Operations for the Division of Clinical Quality and Care Transformation (CQCT) at the Washington State Health Care Authority. The CQCT Division has the purpose of designing and implementing clinical policy; conducting oversight and monitoring of HCA clinically related programs; and communicating with stakeholders on clinical activities and issues. Mary develops clinical strategy, systems and infrastructure in support of Washington’s Medicaid and School and Public Employee benefits programs.
Joe Flores, Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam, Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam
Joe was appointed Deputy Secretary of Finance for Governor Ralph S. Northam in January 2018 where he provides guidance to the Governor and Secretary of Finance on fiscal policy issues. He helped lead Governor Northam’s Medicaid expansion efforts that included strategic planning, policy design, fiscal analysis, stakeholder engagement, legislative negotiations, and communications. He also assisted the Secretary of Finance with enactment of the 2018-20 biennial budget. Joe previously served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor Terence R. McAuliffe and spent two decades as a non-partisan analyst with legislatures in Texas, Minnesota, and Virginia.
Gary Franklin, Research Professor/Medical Director, University of Washington/Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Dr. Franklin has served as the Medical Director of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) from 1988 to the present, and has more than a 25-year history of developing and administering workers’ compensation health care policy and conducting outcomes research. He is a Research Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and in the Department of Medicine (Neurology), as well as Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Health Services, at the University of Washington (UW). He has served as Director or Co-Director of the NIOSH-funded ERC Occupational Health Services Research training program since its inception.
Dr. Franklin is also Director of the Occupational Epidemiology and Health Outcomes Program at the UW, which is the most productive program of its kind in the U.S. This program houses and facilitates primary research as well as the secondary use of workers’ compensation data in order to improve medical care and reduce the disability related to occupational injuries and illnesses.
Erin Fuse Brown, Associate Professor of Law, Georgia State University College of Law
Erin C. Fuse Brown, J.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Professor of Law and a faculty member of the Center for Law, Health & Society at Georgia State University College of Law. She specializes in health law and policy, and her research focuses on the regulation of health care markets. She has published articles in leading legal and medical journals about hospital prices, medical billing, health care competition and consolidation, and consumer financial protection in health care. She received a J.D. from Georgetown, an M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Deborah Garneau, Health Equity Institute Director, Rhode Island Department of Health
Deborah Garneau, MA is the Director of the Health Equity Institute and Title V Maternal and Child Health / Special Needs Director at the RI Department of Health. In this position she is responsible to advance RIDOH’s health equity priorities, identify and address health disparities and shepherd a sustained platform for the advancement of equity in RI through strategic investments, technical assistance, engagement, messaging, and public policy. Ms. Garneau leads the Health Equity Institute in administering community contracts in refugee health, minority health, health equity zones, maternal and child health, and disabilities and health. She provides leadership to addressing the social, environmental and economic determinants of health affecting vulnerable populations and ensuring health disparities are identified and systematically addressed throughout RIDOH programs. Ms Garneau served as a mental health clinician and administrator with at-risk children and their families prior to state service.
Richard N. Gottfried, Chair, New York State Assembly Committee on Health
Richard N. Gottfried has chaired the NY State Assembly Health Committee since 1987 and represents a district in Manhattan. He works to expand publicly funded health coverage; protect patient autonomy, especially in reproductive and end-of-life care; and support safety-net health care providers. He sponsors the “New York Health” bill to create a state single-payer universal health plan and sponsored NY’s medical marijuana law. He’s a lawyer (Columbia, JD ’73) but does not have a private practice. Member of NY Academy of Medicine, National Academy for State Health Policy, Reforming States Group, NYC Bar Association, and NY Civil Liberties Union.
Jill Gresham, Senior Associate, National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
Jill Gresham serves as a Senior Program Associate with the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare at Children and Family Futures. In this role, she serves as an advisor and technical consultant to states, counties, tribes and regions across the country in issues related to substance abuse, child welfare and the courts, providing and coordinating various levels of technical assistance. Jill primarily serves the In-Depth Technical Assistance program and provides support to states working to address infants with prenatal exposure from pregnancy through infancy.
Jill has 15 years of experience in the substance use disorder treatment field, the majority of which was working with women and mothers. In her roles as clinician and director, she worked closely with Child Protective Services and the court. Prior to joining Children and Family Futures, Jill co-founded and directed New Traditions, an outpatient treatment facility for low income, pregnant and parenting women in Seattle, Washington.
Ms. Gresham earned a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University Seattle. She is also a certified substance use disorder treatment counselor in Washington State.
DeAnn Gruber, Director, Bureau of Infectious Diseases, LA Dept of Health/STD-HIV Program
DeAnn Gruber, PhD, LCSW, is the Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases for the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health. The STD/HIV Program, Immunizations, TB Control, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Programs are under her direction in this Bureau. Dr. Gruber’s experience includes close to 30 years in the HIV/AIDS field in community-based, health department, and academic settings. From 2016-2017, she served as the Chairperson of the NASTAD Board.
Dr. Gruber earned her PhD from Tulane University and a Master’s in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans. Dr. Gruber is Adjunct Associate Professor with LSU Health Sciences Center’s School of Public Health, where she continues to teach Program Monitoring and Evaluation in the Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Program.
Ana Gupte, Senior Analyst & Managing Director Healthcare Services, Leerink Partners
Opening Plenary – Funding the Future: A Wall Street View of the Transformation in Health Care
Ana Gupte is a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst covering Healthcare Services, including Managed Care and Healthcare Facilities for LEERINK Partners. She joined LEERINK with close to 20 years of healthcare and strategy consulting experience. Previously, Ana Gupte was Senior Research Analyst and Head of Health Services Research at Dowling & Partners and served as a Vice President and Senior Research Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company. Over the course of her career, Dr. Gupte has served in senior roles at Managed Care and Pharmaceuticals companies and was a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
Ana Gupte, in the 2016 Institutional Investor All-America Research Team rankings, achieved a Runner Up ranking in Health Care Facilities & Managed Care. She was recognized as a Top 3 Analyst in the Institutional Investor 2011 and 2012 All America Research Team and Runner-Up in the 2010 Survey. She was the top stock picker within Healthcare Providers and Services in 2012. She was also named the Top Stock Picker in Healthcare Providers and Services for FT Thomson StarMine for 2012.
She earned a B.S in Chemical Engineering from the Bombay University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She has also graduated from the two-year Executive Management program at the Wharton Business School.
Ashley Harrell, Senior Program Advisor, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Ashley Harrell is the Senior Program Advisor to the Division Director of the Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Ashley’s role in the Medicaid agency over the past several years was leading the implementation of the transformation of the Medicaid substance use disorder treatment services – “Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services or ARTS”. ARTS has been recognized nationally as the model for States implementing Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Waivers. Prior to transitioning to Behavioral Health in June 2016, Ashley managed the Maternal and Child Health Division at the Medicaid agency to improve access to and enhance services for women and children eligible for Medicaid. Prior to her work for Medicaid, Ashley worked in a non-for-profit hospital in Petersburg, Virginia in the Skilled Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit and general acute care. Ashley also has several years’ experience at Army Community Services at Fort Lee, Virginia as the New Parent Support Program Advisor to promote healthy families through a variety of services including home visits, support groups, and parenting classes. In this role, Ashley assisted Soldiers and Families learn to methods to cope with stress, isolation, post-deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood.
Ashley is licensed in Clinical Social Work in Virginia as of 2002. Ashley graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with degrees both in Master’s in Social Work as well as a Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor’s in Social Work.
Kate Harris, Policy and External Affairs Director, Connect for Health Colorado
Kate Harris is the Director of Policy and External Affairs for Connect for Health Colorado, Colorado’s state-based health insurance marketplace. In this role, she oversees the organization’s public policy development, legislative engagement, and a variety of strategy and research initiatives. Prior to joining Connect for Health Colorado, Kate was a Policy Analyst at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. She earned her BA in Political Science and Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
Heather Hauk, Deputy Associate Administrator, HIV/AIDS Bureau
Heather Hauck, MSM, LICSW, is the deputy associate administrator of the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She was the director of the Division of State HIV/ AIDS Program (DSHAP) in HAB. HAB provides leadership and resources to assure access to and retention in high quality, integrated care and treatment services for vulnerable people living with HIV and their families. Ms. Hauck was the director of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Infectious Disease and Environmental
William Hazel, Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, George Mason University
Dr. Bill Hazel is the Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at George Mason University where he is leading a university-wide effort to address issues related to addiction and opioids.
Dan Hemmert, Senator, Utah State Senate
Sessions:
Smart Shopping: How States Can Help Consumers
Dan Hemmert is in the Utah State Senate. He also owns and operates Red Hanger Cleaners, a 23-store dry cleaning chain, and 3 non-chain restaurants. Prior to that, Dan has been the CFO of a family office, the director of a private equity firm, the CFO of a venture-backed software/services company, and an M&A/corporate attorney. Dan has a BA in economics, an MBA, and a JD, all from Brigham Young University. Dan and his wife, Natalie, have 6 kids (ages 16 to 6). Dan enjoys climbing mountains, running, and snow skiing and putting himself in otherwise somewhat sketchy outdoor situations.
Donna Hillman, CSAT O-STR Project Lead, SAMHSA
Sessions:
Staying Afloat: Keeping Moms Connected to Opioid and Substance Abuse Services
Donna is the CSAT Project Lead for the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis project. She is the former State Director for the Kentucky Division of Behavioral Health and has over ten years of experience as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She was appointed by the Governor to the Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, a group of state agency and community coalition leaders working on coordination of services and supports for persons with MH/SUD. She was responsible for state-specific certification and oversight of state narcotics programs. Following her work at the state, she worked as the clinical program manager for a peer-run long term residential SUD recovery facility for women. She was awarded a B.S. in Psychology by Michigan State University and a M.S. in Community Counseling from the University of Akron (Ohio). Donna is also a person in long-term recovery.
Jane Horvath, Consultant, Horvath Health Policy
Sessions:
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Jane Horvath is an experienced health policy analyst and policymaker. She has a deep background in Medicaid, commercial insurance markets and regulation, Medicare, and prescription drug pricing and reimbursement. Jane is a consultant on a variety of health care financing issues, including pharmaceutical costs.
Jane most recently worked as a Senior Policy Fellow at NASHP leading their Center for State Drug Pricing. She continues to work with NASHP and states. Prior to NASHP, Jane most recently worked in the private sector as a consultant to the life sciences industry, foundations, and advocacy organizations. She has held research positions at Johns Hopkins University and MACPAC. Jane spent ten years at Merck working on coverage and reimbursement policies in federal programs. She has worked for the Medicaid Directors, the US Senate Finance Committee, and was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation (Health) at the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Dawn Hunter, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Health
Sessions:
May the (Work) Force Be with You
Dawn Hunter is a Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health. In this role, she has oversight of four program areas, including Public Health, Epidemiology and Response, the State Laboratory, and Health Facilities Licensing and Oversight. Dawn is the former Policy Director and continues to oversee the policy office. Dawn first joined the New Mexico Department of Health as a Visiting Attorney in Public Health Law through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Visiting Attorney Program. Prior to this, Dawn was a microbiologist in the Advanced Biosensors Laboratory in the Center for Biological Defense at the University of South Florida, specializing in the rapid detection of food- and waterborne pathogens. Dawn also has experience in residential foster care, child protective services, and foster care adoptions. Dawn has an AB in English Literature from Princeton University, a BS in Microbiology and an MPH in Global Communicable Disease from the University of South Florida, and a JD from Stetson University College of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar, and is Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Alani Jackson, Chief of the Medi-Cal Dental Services Division, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Sessions:
Cross Currents: Integration of Oral Health and Primary Care
Alani Jackson is the Chief of the Medi-Cal Dental Services Division within the California Department of Health Care Services. She has full management responsibility for administering the Medi-Cal Dental Services Program (Fee-For-Service and Dental Managed Care), which provides dental services to nearly 14 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries including oversight of contracted vendors who manage claims processing and beneficiary and provider services management and support. Ms. Jackson has a Master’s in Public Administration and two Bachelor’s in Community & Regional Development and Political Science.
Jim Jones, Partner, Ten2Eleven Business Solutions, LLC
Sessions:
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Jim Jones is CFO and founding partner at Sacramento, CA based Ten2Eleven Business Solutions, LLC. Since starting the company in 2004, Jim and his team have helped numerous public and private sector clients solve unique technology challenges, with emphasis in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Jim’s involvement in system design and architecture has provided on the ground opportunities to learn and understand operational strategies in areas including product pricing and rebates, inventory administration, and contract management for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies alike.
Beyond custom solution development, Jim has significant experience in data analytics and reporting, having previously supervised teams of analysts responsible for financial and market analysis at LexisNexis and Waste Connections. Jim attended California State University, Sacramento.
Paula Kaiser VanDam, Bureau Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Sessions:
Eat, Stay, Live: Connecting the Dots in the Social Determinants of Health
Paula Kaiser VanDam has served as the Director of the Bureau of Community Services at MDHHS since 2012. In this role, Paula oversees the Department’s work related to housing and homeless services, victim services including domestic and sexual violence, poverty reduction initiatives including Community Services Block Grant funding, community partnerships related to accessing public benefits and local resources, and the implementation of the Community Health Innovation Regions. Through this work Paula is dedicated to providing prevention and services to improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals and families.
Shellie Keast, Director of Academic Research, Pharmacy Management Consultants, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Shellie Keast has a pharmacy degree, Master’s degree, and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. Dr. Keast has spent the last 17 years in the pharmacy benefit management arena. She previously served as the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Manager for Pharmacy Management Consultants, a department of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, and was responsible for DUR Board activities for the Oklahoma SoonerCare (Medicaid) Program. Dr. Keast is involved with research activities focused on pharmacy benefit design, development, and implementation of health care policies, and optimizing health care outcomes. She also serves as the Assistant to the Executive Director for the American Drug Utilization Review Society, a national organization of Medicaid DUR directors. Dr. Keast is actively involved in pharmacy student learning, teaching students tools for successful pharmacy benefit management in their chosen practice environments.
Anthony Keck, EVP, System Innovation & Chief Population Health Officer, Ballad Health
Sessions:
Innovations in Rural Health Policy Options: Getting Care Where You Need It
Anthony Keck is the Executive Vice President for System Innovation and Chief Population Health Officer at Ballad Health. He is the former senior vice president and chief development officer for Mountain States Health Alliance. In his current role, he is responsible for strategy and value based services, information technology, marketing and communications, government affairs, the Ballad Health Foundation, and the system’s new department of community health programs.
Before joining Mountain States, Keck served as the director of Health and Human Services for South Carolina during the first term of Governor Nikki R. Haley and also served three years in the administration of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Prior to his government service, he worked for organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, Ochsner Clinic New Orleans, and St. Thomas Health Services, a community clinic also located in New Orleans.
Catherine Kelley, Senior Health Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas
Sessions:
Innovations in Rural Health Policy Options: Getting Care Where You Need It
Catherine Kelley serves as Senior Health Policy Advisor to Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. In this capacity, she is responsible for working with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Department of Health to manage Medicaid and other public programs and to guide state policy-making on health and human services issues.
Prior to moving to Little Rock and joining the Governor’s Office, Catherine worked for several years as a health policy and government affairs professional in the Washington, DC area. As a Health Policy Analyst in Dentons’ Public Policy and Regulation practice, Catherine supported clients across the health care sector facing policy challenges at the federal and state levels, with a focus on Medicaid and health insurance exchanges. In her role as Policy Analyst and Director of State and Federal Coordination for UnitedHealth Group Government Affairs, Catherine conducted research and analysis on issues impacting Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance markets, including payment reform and health information technology. Catherine started her health policy career as a Research Assistant at Georgetown Health Policy Institute, where she worked on adolescent mental health and substance abuse programs.
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and English and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Joseph Kerwin, Director, Health Homes/DRSIP Unit, NYSDOH AIDS Institute
Joseph is a native of New York State. His educational background is in Philosophy, Theology, and Psychology, and he has worked in community based agencies in upstate New York in the fields of housing and HIV/AIDS services for almost 20 years. He has also had health care experience as the Administrator of a large Designated AIDS Center Hospital and outpatient care program in Albany, NY. His tenure with the NYSDOH AIDS Institute began in the 2012. Over the course of his career he has worked in NYS, CDC, Ryan White, and Medicaid-funded HIV programs.
Grace Kiboneka, Training Unit Manager, Department of Social and Health Services Aging and Long-Term Support Administration Home and Community
Sessions:
Shore it Up: Strengthening the Long Term Services and Supports Workforce
Grace Kiboneka is the Training Unit Manager for the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Home and Community Services Division (HCS). As part of delivery of long-term services and supports, the HCS Training Unit Manager and her team are responsible for developing statewide training policy in home and community based settings statewide, curriculum, and instructor approval as well as quality assurance.
Prior to becoming the manager to the HCS Training Unit, Grace worked for more than 10 years in ALTSAs Office of The Assistant Secretary; and was responsible for the Administrations strategic planning efforts, collective bargaining, and labor management impacting more than 50,000 long-term care workers in the State of Washington.
Washington State’s long-term services and supports system, serves more than 74,000 citizens. The 2017 AARP Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard ranked Washington State 1st in the nation, up from its 2nd ranked position in 2014, this is a result of continued hard work and focused effort of ALTSA staffs commitment to the mission of ensuring “choice” for Washingtonian’s regarding where and how they will receive long-term services and supports.
Grace holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Project Management from City University of Seattle.
Beth Kidder, Deputy Secretary for Medicaid, Agency for Health Care Administration
Sessions:
Put a Lid on It: Containing Long Term Services and Supports Costs
Ms. Kidder is the Deputy Secretary for Medicaid at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. She has served in state Medicaid programs for twenty years and has led Florida’s Medicaid program since 2017. Florida Medicaid provides health and long-term care services to almost four million low income Floridians primarily through a managed care delivery system. Her expertise is in managed care, long-term care services, coverage policies, and quality improvement. Ms. Kidder holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.
Jaime King, Bion M. Gregory Chair of Business Law, Professor of Law, and Associate Dean, UC Hastings Consortium on Law, Science, and Health Policy
Sessions:
Morning Plenary
Jaime S. King is the Bion M. Gregory Chair of Business Law and a Professor of Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. She is the Associate Dean and Co-Director of the UCSF/UC Hastings Consortium on Science, Law and Health Policy, the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the UCSF/UC Hastings Masters Program in Health Law and Policy, and the Director of the Concentration on Law and Health Sciences. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Source on Healthcare Price and Competition, a web-based resource on healthcare price and competition. Professor King received the Hastings Foundation Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship in 2015 and the Best Antitrust and Mergers Article of 2017 from the American Antitrust Institute. Professor King has testified before Congressional committees on health insurance mergers and price transparency. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Policy from Harvard University, a J.D. from Emory University, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College
Donna Kinzer, Executive Director, Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission
Sessions:
States-Only Preconference: Paying the Price: How Can States Catalyze Real Cost Containment
Donna Kinzer has served as the Executive Director of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) since 2013. Donna led the State of Maryland through development and implementation of hospital payment and delivery modernizations under the All-Payer Model, which was initiated in January 2014. She led the development of the recently approved follow on Total Cost of Care Model that moves beyond hospitals, which will begin in January 2019.
Prior to joining the State of Maryland, Donna’s 30+ year consulting career focused on helping payers, providers, and other health care entities develop and implement new analytics, delivery approaches, payment models, and supporting infrastructure in response to transformational market shifts, changing customer demands, and health care payment and delivery reform.
Mila Kofman, Executive Director, DC Health Benefit Exchange
Sessions:
Sailing the Seas: State Efforts to Stabilize the Individual Market
Mila Kofman is the Executive Director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority. Appointed to the position by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, Kofman is a nationally recognized expert on private health insurance markets and has worked with states and all stakeholders to implement health insurance reforms. Her approach is informed by her hands-on experience as the former Superintendent of Insurance in Maine implementing health insurance reforms, being a former federal regulator working with states to implement HIPAA reforms of the 1990s, studying state-based reform efforts and markets, and working with employer purchasing coalitions seeking to leverage purchasing power for sustainable financing of medical care. Ms. Kofman holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland (summa cum laude).
Julie Kotchevar, Administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, State of Nevada
Sessions:
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Julie Kotchevar has extensive experience working within the field of health and human services programs, particularly in the field of children and adults with disabilities. She has worked nationally and internationally for over 15 years to create efficient and agile systems that can skillfully respond to the changing needs of consumers while also ensuring that services are person centered, ethical, appropriate, and evidence-based. Within Nevada and nationally she has worked with state programs to identify and repair broken and inefficient systems. Internationally she worked to develop systems in several countries including primary and maternity care in central China, basic health and assessment services in rural parts of Indonesia, and early intervention systems for children and families in the Southern Sudan.
Dr. Kotchevar has served in the Nevada state system as an Executive Branch Auditor, the Clinical Program Manager of Nevada Early Intervention Services, and as the Deputy Administrator of Aging and Disability Services Division before joining the Director’s Office as the Deputy Director.
Dr. Kotchevar has recently completed her Doctorate in Health Policy Planning and Analysis, has a Master’s degree in Organizational Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education.
Tammy Lambert, Clinical Assistant Professor, The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Dr. Tammy Lambert received a B.A. in Psychology from the College of William and Mary and both her Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at the OU College of Pharmacy where she coordinates Pharmaceutical Care of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Introduction to Mentoring, Qualitative Research Methods, and Special Subjects in Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Dr. Lambert also teaches in Pharmacy Management Courses, Health Module, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Dentistry. She has worked in various sectors of healthcare including substance abuse, inpatient psychiatric treatment, Poison Control, and pharmacy. While her primary research interest is health education of patients, students, and healthcare professionals, she has conducted research on health information seeking behavior, use of photovoice in a pharmacy leadership program, and psychotropic medication use in foster children.
Dawn Lambert, Manager, Community Options Strategy Group, Division of Health Services, State of Connecticut
Sessions:
The Next Wave: Integrating Services for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
Dawn Lambert manages the Community Options Strategy Group within Connecticut’s Department of Social Services. With over 25 years of experience in long-term services and supports, she currently serves as an appointed member of the National Academy for State Health Policy LTSS Committee, an advisor to the AARP LTSS Scorecard and a consultant to the Department of Justice regarding community options for older adults and people with disabilities.
Larry Levitt, Senior Vice President, Kaiser Family Foundation
Larry Levitt is Senior Vice President for Health Reform at the Kaiser Family Foundation. He previously was Editor-in-Chief of kaisernetwork.org, the Foundation’s online health policy news and information service, and directed the Foundation’s communications and online activities and its Changing Health Care Marketplace Project.
Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as a Senior Health Policy Advisor to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services, working on the development of President Clinton’s Health Security Act and other health policy initiatives.
Earlier, he was the Special Assistant for Health Policy with California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, a medical economist with Kaiser Permanente, and served in a number of positions in Massachusetts state government.
He holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, and a masters degree in public policy from Harvard.
Pete Liggett, Deputy Director, SC Dept of Health and Human Services
A Class Act: Coming Together to Improve School-Based Health Services
Pete Liggett, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, serves as the Deputy Director of Long Term Care and Behavioral Health for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. His focus is guiding long term care and behavioral health policies as SCDHHS transforms these critical services and explores ways to better integrate long term care and behavioral health with primary care services. He joined SCDHHS in August 2012 as Director of Behavioral Health.
MaryAnne Lindeblad, Medicaid Director, Washington State Health Care Authority
MaryAnne Lindeblad brings a broad health care and administrative background to the Washington Medicaid program. She has been an active health care professional and leader spanning most aspects of health care including acute care, long-term care, behavioral health care, eldercare and services for people with disabilities. MaryAnne served for two years as Assistant Secretary for Aging and Disability Services Administration with the Department of Social and Health Services, and Director of the Health Care Services Division with the Health Care Authority. Lindeblad has held a variety of leadership positions, including Assistant Administrator of the Public Employees Benefits Board, and Director of Operations for Unified Physicians of Washington. In 2010, she was selected for the inaugural class of the Medicaid Leadership Institute. MaryAnne currently chairs the executive committee for the National Academy for State Health Policy, serves on the boards of the National Association of Medicaid Directors and Olympia Free Clinic. Lindeblad holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Eastern Washington University, and master’s in public health from the University of Washington.
Virginia Lyons, Vermont Senator, Vermont State Senate
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Vermont Senator Virginia “Ginny” Lyons serves as Vice Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee and on the Finance Committee. She Co-Chairs Vermont’s Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty, Chairs the Joint Energy Committee, and serves on other Senate and community organizations. Ginny champions data informed policies that address public health, health care improvement, substance misuse, child and family resilience, consumer product safety, environmental and water quality, energy efficiency, and others. Ginny served as Town Select Board Chair for 15 years. As a College Biology Professor with a Doctorate form the University of Vermont, Senator Lyons developed and directed Pre-Medical and Allied Health programs.
Nora Mann, Director, Determination of Need, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Jodi Manz, MSW serves as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia in the administration of Governor Ralph Northam. She supports the Governor and Secretary on the development of legislative, budget, and policy initiatives, particularly those regarding Virginia’s opioid overdose and addiction crisis. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary and as Policy Advisor for Health and Human Resources under former Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Mary G. McIntyre, Chief Medical Officer, Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
Mary G. McIntyre, M.D., M.P.H., SSBB is Chief Medical Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). She is board certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. She joined ADPH in January 2011, and served as Assistant State Health Officer for Disease Control and Prevention and State Epidemiologist before taking her current position. Prior to beginning her public health career she served in various roles at the Alabama Medicaid Agency including Alabama Medicaid Medical Director. She provided primary care for eleven years mostly in rural Alabama before joining the State. She is a member of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the National Academy for State Health Policy, the American Public Health Association, the Alabama Public Health Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the American Medical Association, and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. She is most proud of being a wife and mother to four amazing adults and a grandmother to three.
Peggy McManus, President, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health
Peggy McManus is President of The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health and Co-Director of Got Transition. With Dr. White, she led the revision of the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition, developed new transition quality improvement and consumer feedback measurement tools, published systematic reviews on transition outcomes and measures, and published extensively on transition quality improvement, payment options, state Title V transition efforts, and the status of transition preparation in the US.
Dan Meuse, Deputy Director, SHVS, Princeton University
Dan Meuse serves as the deputy director of State Health and Value Strategies, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, housed in the Center for Health and Wellbeing at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. In this capacity, Dan works directly with states on health reform implementation and also assists in managing and coordinating technical assistance providers serving states. Additionally, he is a lecturer in public affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School. He was deeply involved in Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation at the state level as Deputy Chief of Staff for Rhode Island’s Lieutenant Governor. Dan was the principal subject matter expert for the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission on Health Insurance Exchange policy and delivery system and payment reform through mid-2014. He also served as the State Innovation Model project director for Rhode Island’s Model Design project and led the Exchange’s stakeholder engagement efforts.
Nitika Moibi, Supervisor, Health Workforce Analysis, Minnesota Department of Health
Sessions:
Innovations in Rural Health Policy Options: Getting Care Where You Need It
Nitika directs the state’s Health Workforce Analysis program that collects and analyzes healthcare workforce data at the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care within the Minnesota Department of Health. The program serves as a resource for regulators, policy makers, educators, employers and researchers to better understand healthcare workforce access, distribution and pipeline challenges to inform related policies. Prior to her current position, Nitika worked in health services research and has experience in rulemaking. In 2017, she was awarded the Women in Public Service Rising Star Award by Hamline University in Minnesota. Nitika has a master’s in public policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and bachelors in Sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Rene Mollow, MSN, RN, Deputy Director of Health Care Benefits and Eligibility, California Department of Health Care Services
René has been with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) since 1995. In the Medi-Cal program, she serves as the Deputy Director for Health Care Benefits and Eligibility (HCBE). She provides leadership for benefit and eligibility policy planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of health care services and delivery systems under Medi-Cal and for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). HCBE is comprised of five divisions and one office: Benefits, Eligibility, Pharmacy Benefits, Primary and Rural Indian Health, Dental, and the Office of Family Planning. René works to ensure that policies, procedures, and related activities in HCBE conform to applicable state and federal policies, statutes and regulations. She assists the Directorate, Administration and State Legislatures in determining program direction consistent with legislative intent and consults with the Director and State Medicaid Director on issues of significant policy impact.
Greg Moody, Executive Director, Ohio Governor's Office of Health Transformation
Greg began his public service career as a budget associate for the United States House Budget Committee in Washington D.C. The Budget Chairman at the time, Rep. John Kasich, asked Greg to study the impact of Medicaid on federal spending – an assignment that set the course for his public policy career.
Prior to joining the Kasich Administration, Greg was a senior consultant at Health Management Associates, Executive Assistant for Health and Human Services for Ohio Governor Bob Taft, and Chief of Staff for Dean Bernadine Healy at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. Greg has a Masters in Philosophy from George Washington University and Bachelors in Economics from Miami University.
David Neff, Chief Medical Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Dr. David Neff is currently the Chief Medical Director in the Office of Medical Affairs in the Medical Services Administration at MDHHS. In his current role, he has been working with the Medicaid Medical Directors Network, CDC, National Academy of Medicine, AHRQ and the ONC regarding opioids and other chronic conditions. Prior to joining MDHHS, he retired as a Medical Strategy Leader at Merck and Company in Global Medical Affairs. He was involved in developing non-opioid pain medications in the early 2000’s and has been studying the Opioid Mortality Crisis since 2010. He has been involved with large scale planning programs to address population health related issues in the areas of cardiovascular disease, diabetes management and opioid addiction since 2000. He has been a member of the Michigan Osteopathic Association’s Presidential Ad Hoc Committee to address the crisis since it was formed in February, 2015.
Kate Neuhausen, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Medical Assistance Services
Dr. Neuhausen is a board-certified family physician and the Chief Medicalj Officer of Virginia Medicaid, which serves over 1.1 million low-income Virginians. She led the development of the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) program, increasingly recognized as a national model for integrating evidence-based addiction treatment into Medicaid Managed Care, as well as the implementations of the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline, a new Pharmacy Benefit Manager solution and Common Core Formlary.
Sessions:
Staying Afloat: Keeping Moms Connected to Opioid and Substance Abuse Services
Ana P. Novais, holds a master degree in Clinical Psychology, UCLN, Belgium. Ana has worked for the RI Department of Health since 1998, as an Education and Outreach Coordinator and as the Chief for the Office of Minority Health.
In March 2006 as the lead for the Division of Community, Family Health and Equity, Ana oversaw the areas related with Health Disparities, Access to Care, Maternal and Child Health, Chronic Disease Management, Health Promotion, Environmental Health; and developed and implemented the “Health Equity Zones” initiative.
In August 1, 2015 Ana become the Executive Director for the Department.
Dania Palanker, Assistant Research Professor, Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Georgetown University
Dania Palanker is an Assistant Research Professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) at Georgetown’s Health Policy Institute. She analyzes state and federal health insurance market reforms, including implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with an emphasis on insurance benefit design, coverage for chronic health conditions, and access to pain care. Before joining CHIR, she was Senior Counsel for Health and Reproductive Rights at the National Women’s Law Center and worked for the Service Employees International Union as Associate Director of Health Policy after serving as Deputy Administrator of health benefit funds providing health insurance to low wage workers. Ms. Palanker holds a J.D. from Georgetown University and an M.P.P. from Harvard University.
Karen Palombo, Team Lead - Substance Use Disorder Intervention and Treatment, Texas Health and Human Services
Karen Palombo works for the Health and Human Services Commission in the Medical and Social Services Division in the Substance Use Disorder Unit as the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Intervention Team Lead in Texas. Prior to this experience she has worked in hospital settings, mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings and for 9 years. She graduated from Louisiana State University with her Masters in Social Work. She has three children and currently lives in Austin, Texas.
Sessions:
Making Waves in the Individual Market: How Did We Get Here?
Ms. Patterson is the Director of Health Policy and LAH Market Conduct for the New Hampshire Insurance Department. In that capacity, she is responsible for facilitating and prioritizing the efforts of the Department’s health policy team, including assessing state opportunities for market stabilization, monitoring federal law and regulatory changes, and coordinating with regulators in other states. She also oversees the Department’s market regulation of Life, Accident and Health lines, including ongoing market conduct examinations with respect to insurance company compliance with mental health parity requirements. Prior to coming to the Insurance Department, she worked for many years for the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, where she served as Chief of the Environmental Protection Bureau. Jennifer holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from Oberlin College.
Sessions:
May the (Work) Force Be with You
Fred Payne was appointed Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development in November 2017 and assumed his new role a month later. He leads DWD’s Executive Team in developing, communicating, executing and sustaining the agency’s strategic initiatives, including establishment of key performance indicators.
Mr. Payne came to DWD from Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), where he served as Chief Administrator, Secretary and Compliance Officer, after being General Counsel and Manager of Corporate Affairs.
Prior to Honda Mr. Payne was in private practice.
Sessions:
Shifting Sands at the Provider Level, What’s a State to Do?
Greg Poulsen is Senior Vice President, Policy for Intermountain Healthcare. Mr. Poulsen had direct responsibility for strategy development, research and planning, marketing, IT development and policy for more than 25 years. He joined Intermountain Healthcare in 1982. Mr. Poulsen is Board Chair of the Utah Hospital Association. He serves as a Trustee for the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, which focuses on advancing medical professionalism, and assisted in developing and promoting the Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign. He has been a consultant to the Swedish Health Ministry and has provided counsel on health policy development in several countries, including Great Britain, Canada, France, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, and Germany. He was a Commissioner for the Commonwealth Fund in Washington, DC, and participated in the development of the policy papers and initiatives Bending the Curve, and Why Not the Best, which have helped shape the discussion on health policy in America for many years. He is a national guest scholar at the Stanford University School of Medicine and a guest lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He serves as a Policy Lead for the World Economic Forum and serves on their international Value in Healthcare Committee. He has appeared frequently before Congressional committees and participates in many national and international health policy forums. He has authored and coauthored several health policy articles over many years including, The Case for Capitation, published in the Harvard Business Review. Mr. Poulsen holds a bachelor’s degree in biophysics and an MBA, both from Brigham Young University. Based in Salt Lake City, Intermountain Healthcare includes 22 hospitals and associated delivery services in the Intermountain West.
Melanie Rainer, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, California Department of Justice
Melanie has a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, a Master’s of Science in Education from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, and earned her undergraduate degree in Business Economics from the University of Arizona. Melanie lives in Berkeley, California with her husband Upendra, their dog Ruth Bader Ginsburg and their cat Marion Barry Junior, Junior.
Cheryl J. Roberts, Deputy Director of Programs, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Karen Robinson, HIV Community Programs Supervisor, Washington State Department of Health
Sandra Robinson, Chief, AIDS Drug Assistance Program, Office of AIDS, California Dept Public Health
Sandra Robinson has an extensive background and experience in the public health sector.
She currently serves as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Branch Chief, with the Office of AIDS, California Department of Public Health. Previously, she served as the Chief of Healthy Aging Programs with the Chronic Disease Control Branch in the State California Department of Public Health. Prior to her service with the state, she served as Vice President of Programs with the California Medical Association Foundation. As Vice President, Sandra worked with medical organizations including county and specialty medical societies, ethnic physician associations, health plans, public health agencies, consumer groups and community-based organizations throughout California.
Sara Rosenbaum, Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy, The George Washington University
Sara Rosenbaum J.D. is the Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy and Founding Chair of the Department of Health Policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University. She also holds professorships in GW’s Law and Medical Schools and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Professor Rosenbaum has devoted her career to health justice for populations who are medically underserved as a result of race, poverty, disability, or cultural exclusion.
Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Denise has over twenty-five years of experience in disability policy at the federal and state level working on almost all issues and legislation affecting individuals with disabilities, beginning with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Before joining AUCD, Denise spent 15 years as the Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations at Easter Seals, as the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for disability issues in state government. During that time, Denise developed expertise on issues of state policy and systems change including autism, Medicaid managed care, ACA implementation and health delivery system reform. Prior to coming to Easter Seals, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international professional membership organization. Denise holds a BA from Occidental College and a JD from the University of California at Berkeley.
Sessions:
Cross Currents: Integration of Oral Health and Primary Care
Dr. Russell serves as Public Health Dental Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health. He started his dental career working in a rural health center with focus on migrant farm workers and previously served as the Dental Director of Hackley Community Care Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center located on the western shores of Michigan.
Dr. Russell attended Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Dentistry and has completed a Masters of Public Health (MPH) program in Health Care Policy and Management at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health in 2002. He’s earned a Certificate in Public Management from Drake University in 2017 and currently a graduate student in Drake’s Masters in Public Administration program. He has been inducted into the American College of Dentists in 2017.
Suleima Salgado, Director of Telehealth and Telemedicine, Georgia Department of Public Health
Suleima Salgado, MBA is the Director of Telehealth & Telemedicine for the GA DPH. Suleima has over 10 years’ experience in government, media, communications, telehealth and public relations. She has earned an MBA from Southeastern University & has led several state and local public health initiatives. She is responsible for setting the Department’s strategic goals to increase access and bring health equity to underserved and rural areas of the state, using two-way, real-time, HIPAA compliant video conferencing network.
Colleen Sonosky, JD is the Associate Director of the Division of Children’s Health Services in the Health Care Delivery Management Administration in the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF). DHCF is the agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid program and the Division of Children’s Health Services oversees policies and procedures for Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services benefit—the pediatric component of the Medicaid program for children under 21. Ms. Sonosky serves as the District’s EPSDT Coordinator as well as the CHIP Director for the Medicaid-expansion program. In addition, Ms. Sonosky represents DHCF on the District-wide Child Fatality Review Committee, Interagency Coordinating Committee for Early Intervention, and the State Early Child Development Coordinating Committee (SECDCC) where she co-chairs the Health/Wellbeing Subcommittee. She has also served on many national work groups concerning maternal and child health.
Michelle Herman Soper, MHS, is director of integrated care at the Center for Health Care Strategies. She leads CHCS’ work focused on improving care delivery and financing for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and those in need of long term services and supports. Prior to CHCS, Ms. Soper held positions at the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), and the Office of Chronic and Long-Term Care within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance. Ms. Soper has a master’s degree in health science from The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene
Dena Stoner, a Senior Policy Advisor for Texas Health and Human Services, has over 35 years of design and implementation experience, including long term services, acute care, managed care and behavioral health. She currently concentrates on behavioral health integration, including research and demonstration projects, Medicaid state plan and waiver initiatives. Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed publications. She also chairs the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors’ Finance Policy Division, serves on the National Research Institute’s board of directors and is a member of the executive council of the National Academy for State Health Policy.
Erin Taylor is a Senior Consultant at Bailit Health. Erin offers experience in health care policy analysis, public health, and payment reform. She advises state purchasers, health plans, and providers on strategies to improve health care quality and reduce cost growth. Erin’s work has included researching risk-bearing provider organization regulations and state certification processes for accountable care organizations and evaluating payment models for Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS). Erin has co–authored briefs on state oversight of risk-bearing organizations, integrating public health functions with health care delivery, and value-based payment for LTSS for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Before joining Bailit Health, Erin supported the implementation of the CMS Financial Alignment Initiative at the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University.
Sessions:
May the (Work) Force Be with You
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Dr. Thurston has a Masters and Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University. Dr. Thurston has been a policy analyst and health economist for the Utah Department of Health in various roles for 15 years, including work on health systems reform. Currently, he is the Director of the Office of Health Care Statistics
Before joining the state, Dr. Thurston worked for eight years as an assistant professor of economics at Brigham Young University.
In 2014, Dr. Thurston was elected to the Utah House of Representatives.
Sessions:
All the Right Moves: Transitioning Individuals Out of Psychiatric Institutions
Wendy White Tiegreen, M.S.W. is the Director of Medicaid & Health System Innovation for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. She has 25 years of experience working in public behavioral health services delivery and administration. Her career has been spent in leadership and Medicaid financing, notably negotiating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the establishment of peer supports. She is a regular presenter at national Medicaid and behavioral health management conferences and has also been a consultant for SAMHSA, NASMHPD, and more than half of all states related to behavioral health, Medicaid, and peer support.
Sessions:
Making Waves in the Individual Market: How Did We Get Here?
Six years as Actuary and Bureau Chief of Product Review at Idaho Department of Insurance, overseeing the review of all forms and rates for all filed products. Focusing on rate review processes and contract compliance for major medical, long term care, Medicare supplement, and others. Heavily involved in health care policy issues and initiatives.
Previous to the Department, was a consulting actuary with Milliman focusing on large employer active and retiree medical plans, high risk health insurance pools, and postretirement benefit valuations. Also worked several years for a health insurance company, dealing with provider network and pharmacy benefit modeling.
Sessions:
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Daniel Tsai is the Assistant Secretary for MassHealth and Medicaid Director for the Commonwealth. Tsai was appointed in January 2015 by Governor Charlie Baker to oversee the state’s $15 billion Medicaid program, which covers one in four residents in the Commonwealth. In his role, Tsai is responsible for ensuring a robust and sustainable MassHealth program. That includes developing new policies, payment models, and operational processes that improve the way health care is delivered to 1.8 million low-and moderate-income individuals and individuals with disabilities. Before joining HHS, Tsai was a Partner and leader in McKinsey & Company’s Healthcare Systems and Services practice. He has significant experience on design and implementation of innovative, state-wide health care payment systems for Medicaid, Medicare and Commercial populations, and has worked closely with multiple state Medicaid programs, private payers, and health services companies. He received a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University. Assistant Secretary Tsai and his wife live in Cambridge. He volunteers at a local community health center in Boston’s South End.
Sessions:
Shifting Sands at the Provider Level, What’s a State to Do?
Jeremy Vandehey is the Director of Health Policy and Analytics for the Oregon Health Authority. He oversees a 160-person team that is responsible for developing and implementing the state’s vision for health reform. His teams’ work includes policy analysis, reporting on health care costs and quality of care, expanding use of electronic health records, developing evidence-based clinical and benefits coverage guidance, providing technical assistance to advance payment reform and quality improvement, and leveraging the state’s purchasing power in pharmaceutical and public employee health benefit programs to improve care and lower costs. Jeremy is currently leading work to establish the goals for the next five years of the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program. Previously, Jeremy served as Health Policy Advisor to Governor Kate Brown from 2015 to 2017 where he helped renew Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, pass legislation to expand care coverage to all children regardless of citizenship status, and negotiated a state budget package to maintain the Medicaid expansion through the ACA—despite a $1 billion state funds deficit. Prior to 2015, Jeremy led government relations for Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest Region and served as the legislative director for OHA during the design and implementation of the state’s nationally recognized Medicaid coordinated care organizations. Jeremy received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law and his undergraduate degree in public policy and administration from Western Oregon University.
Sessions:
States-Only Preconference: Paying the Price: How Can States Catalyze Real Cost Containment
Dan Villa was born and raised in Anaconda, Montana. He was elected to the Montana House of Representatives while attending college at Montana Tech where he earned a degree in Business and Information Technology. While in the House, Dan served on the Business and Labor, Education, Appropriations and Agriculture committees as well as chairman of the House Rules Committee and Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. He was Democratic Caucus Leader in 2007. In 2009 Governor Brian Schweitzer appointed Dan as his Education Policy Advisor and later as the State Budget Director. Governor Steve Bullock retained him as State Budget Director for the Governor’s first and second terms. He currently serves as President-elect of the National Association of State Budget Officers.
Dan commutes daily to Helena from his home in Butte where he lives with his wife and two children.
Ancillary Meeting: State Policy Workshop: Purchasing and Oversight of Supporting Behavioral Health Services Through Integration in Medicaid Managed Care
Beth Waldman is a Senior Consultant at Bailit Health with national expertise in health care policy, program development and implementation, specializing in Medicaid and CHIP programs and coverage for the uninsured. Beth’s work includes assisting states and other stakeholders in delivery system and payment reform design; care management and health home program design; behavioral health reform, including integration, opiate prevention and treatment; quality measurement; managed care procurements; and long-term services and supports strategy and integration.
Prior to joining Bailit Health, Beth worked for 12 plus years within the Massachusetts Medicaid program and served as the Massachusetts Medicaid Director from 2003 – 2006.
Beth is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, NY. She holds a law degree from Boston College Law School and a master of public health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Michael Wofford is the Chief of Pharmacy Policy for the California Department of Health Care Services, the state agency tasked with development and oversight of the pharmacy benefit for 13.5 million Californians covered by the state Medicaid program (Medi-Cal).
Michael is a 1978 graduate of the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy, where he obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. During his studies, he spent a winter semester studying health care in the Palestinian refugee camps throughout several Middle Eastern countries. That experience changed the course of his future career and demonstrated to him the need for health care service dedicated to the marginalized members of society.
He currently participates in the California Integrated HIV Surveillance, Prevention, and Care Planning Group and sits on the PrEP Stakeholder workgroup, which coordinates the California PrEP Assistance Program.
Sessions:
Cha-Ching! Lowering Rx Costs
Summit on State Strategies and Tactics to Lower Rx Prices
Joshua Wojcik an Assistant Comptroller at the Connecticut State Comptroller’s Office. The Office of the State Comptroller is responsible for the employee and retiree medical, dental, and pharmacy benefit programs for 230,000 employees, retirees, and family members throughout the state. Joshua is responsible for the development and coordination of new policy initiatives for the office, oversees the implementation of new programs related to health care and state employee benefit changes and participates in all procurement activities for health care related vendors. Joshua represents the Office of the State Comptroller as a member of several health care related boards and committees and plays a lead role in negotiating the passage of major legislation promoted by the office related to health care, pharmacy costs or other significant issues.
Sessions:
Eat, Stay, Live: Connecting the Dots in the Social Determinants of Health
Sandra Wolitzky is an Assistant Attorney General in the Health Care Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts. The Health Care Division enforces health care laws to protect the rights of Massachusetts consumers and works to promote public health and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, she clerked at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the District Court for the District of Massachusetts and practiced law in the commercial litigation group at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.
Sessions:
More Gain, Less Pain: Managing Pain without Opioids and Managing Opioid Addiction
Victor is currently the Chief Medical Officer for the TN Health Care Finance and Administration and Bureau of TennCare, the state’s Medicaid Agency. At TennCare, Victor leads the medical office to ensure quality and effective delivery of medical, pharmacy, and dental services to its members. He also supports payment reform and practice transformation initiatives across the agency. Prior to joining TennCare, Victor worked at Evolent Health as Vice President for Clinical Transformation and Medicaid Strategies where he led provider groups and health systems to implement value based population health redesign. In 2013, Victor served as a White House Fellow to the Secretary of Health and Human Services working on ACA implementation, delivery system reform, and addressing social determinants of health. Victor is a board certified Internist who completed his Internal Medicine Primary Care Residency and Chief Medical Residency at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital. He practices clinically as an internist in the Veteran’s Affairs Health System.
Sessions:
Raising the Bar: Value-Based Purchasing to Address Population Health
Marie Zimmerman State Medicaid Director has devoted over a decade to public-sector health care in Minnesota, spearheading critical reforms and innovations that have been watched and emulated nationally. Appointed Minnesota’s Medicaid director in 2014, Marie oversees the strategic policy direction and the core business functions of Medicaid and the Basic Health Program (BHP), called MinnesotaCare. The combined budgets of Medicaid and MinnesotaCare topped $11.5 billion in 2016 and provide health coverage to 1 in 5 Minnesotans, delivering health care, behavioral health services and long-term services and supports to more than one million people.
During Marie’s tenure, the state has saved over $1.5 billion through managed care reform and purchasing innovations. Savings include $213 million related to improved health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees through an accountable care model called Integrated Health Partnerships; a collaborative, patient-focused approach to delivering care while lowering cost. In addition, Marie has managed a successful Basic Health Program that provides affordable and comprehensive coverage for lower-income Minnesotans who do not qualify for Medicaid. Prior to her service as Medicaid director, Marie acted as health care policy director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where she led early efforts to reform health care purchasing for Medicaid, moving the state toward a pay-for-value model.
Marie is a recipient of the Women in Health Care Leadership Award from Women’s Health Leadership TRUST. She serves on the boards of the National Academy for State Health Policy and the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
Marie lives in Minneapolis with her family. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
When and where is #NASHPCONF18?
NASHP’s 31st Annual State Health Policy Conference is Aug. 15 to 17, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, in Jacksonville, FL.
What will this year’s conference explore?
NASHP’s conference, entitled Shifting Tides in State Health Policy, addresses the most pressing and critical issues facing state health policymakers, such as health care reform and cost containment, the opioid crisis, stabilizing state health insurance markets, and social determinants of health. In fact, in 2017 more than 97 percent of attendees rated the content as either “very good,” or “excellent!”
Check out our full conference agenda to learn more about the topics covered.
Why should I attend the conference?
Planned by state health policymakers for state health policy makers, NASHP’s annual conference is a must-attend event for the state health policy community. With a carefully crafted agenda focusing on emerging issues and current best practices within states, our conference brings together the nation’s leading experts to share, learn, and discuss. This premier event offers unparalleled access to the most cutting-edge industry knowledge, the nation’s leading experts, and exceptional networking opportunities that will help take you and your state to the next level. Need more reasons to attend? Check out our Top Five!
Who usually attends the conference?
State health policymakers representing all branches and of government and all 50 states and Washington, DC, attend. Also present are federal and government officials and representatives from nonprofit organizations that focus on state health policy, advocates, consultants, foundations, health plans, private providers, trade associations, health technology firms, and more! In short, anyone invested in advancing excellence in state health policy attends #NASHPCONF18 to benefit from the educational and networking opportunities.
What is the cost of attending the conference?
The cost varies, based on your type of company or organization, and what portion of the conference you will attend (preconference only, conference only, or the entire event). Please visit the registration fees webpage for a complete breakdown of registration options and fees. Don’t forget, discounted early bird rates are available until July 20, 2018, so register soon to lock in the discounted rate!
How can I pay to attend the conference?
Registration fees can be paid by credit card when you register online, or by purchase order or check.
Please mail your conference registration payment to the following address:
Center for Health Policy Development
Attn: Accounts Receivable
PO Box 10571
Albany, NY 12201-5571
Are scholarships available?
General scholarships are not available. Through the generous support of some state foundations, limited scholarships are available to participants from those states. For more information about whether a foundation in your state is supporting scholarships, please visit the NASHP State Leaders Program webpage.
How do I register for the conference?
Registering for the NASHP 31st Annual State Health Policy Conference is easy, just visit the online registration portal.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you wish to cancel your registration before Friday, July 20, 2018, NASHP will provide a refund of the registration fee less a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be processed for registrations canceled after July 20, 2018. If you register and cannot attend, another person from your organization may attend in your place. Hotel cancellation policies are at the discretion of the hotel and apply separately.
Is there a conference hashtag I can use on social media?
Yes, our conference hashtag is #NASHPCONF18. Feel free to include this when talking about the conference on social media for a chance to be retweeted/shared by our official NASHP social media accounts.
Is there an official hotel for the conference?
Yes, the official conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel at 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32202. The hotel phone is 904-588-1234.
Is there a discounted room rate for conference attendees?
Yes! NASHP has worked with the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel to provide conference attendees with a room rate of $159/night, plus 14.13 percent tax. This room rate will only be available until July 23, 2018, or until the room block is full.
For information about how to book a room at the Hyatt Regency at NASHP’s special group rate, visit the Lodging page on our website or go directly to NASHP’s unique Hyatt Regency reservation page to book your reservation now!
Will I be contacted by NASHP and/or the conference hotel to book and pay for my stay?
No! Please be aware that third-party housing companies may contact NASHP conference attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors to promote lodging for our annual conference. If you are contacted by anyone who states they are contacting you on behalf of NASHP or the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront to book reservations and obtain credit card information, please exercise extreme caution, as it is a scam. NASHP and the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel will not contact you to request credit card numbers or housing reservations over the phone.
If you have made hotel reservations and provided a credit card number to any company, please call your credit card company immediately and request that they investigate the charge.
What is the conference dress code?
Please dress in business casual during conference hours. You are welcome dress casually for evening events.
Can I earn Continuing Education credits at the conference?
No, unfortunately NASHP does not offer continuing education credits for sessions attended during the annual conference.
Can I submit an idea for a session or a speaker?
Yes, NASHP’s Annual Call for Ideas starts in mid-January each year. Please check our website in January 2019 for details on when and how to submit your ideas.
Will there be food and beverage provided during the conference.
Yes, all breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks are provided during the days that you are registered for conference and preconference sessions.
Will Wi-Fi be available?
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi will be available to all conference attendees in meeting spaces. Please watch for an email about one week before the conference with instructions detailing how to download the mobile app and utilize Wi-Fi on-site.
Will presentations be available to conference attendees?
Yes, presentations are made available approximately one week prior to the conference through the mobile app.
If I have registered but can no longer attend conference, can someone attend in my place?
Yes, follow the instructions below to change and update the attendee information.
Wednesday, August 15th
8:00am – 4:00 pm
Breakfast and lunch are served during preconference sessions.
Download the Ebook for this preconference.
This unique preconference gives state policymakers a forum to identify and share innovative policy solutions to improve outcomes for women and children affected by substance use disorder (SUD). Learn about policy approaches to meet the unique needs of families affected by SUD or opioid use disorder, identify financing and service delivery options to ensure access to continuous care for women and children, and examine opportunities for cross-agency collaboration to efficiently support children and pregnant or parenting women affected by SUD. Participants include:
Kate Neuhausen, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Medical Assistance Services
Dr. Neuhausen is a board-certified family physician and the Chief Medicalj Officer of Virginia Medicaid, which serves over 1.1 million low-income Virginians. She led the development of the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) program, increasingly recognized as a national model for integrating evidence-based addiction treatment into Medicaid Managed Care, as well as the implementations of the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline, a new Pharmacy Benefit Manager solution and Common Core Formlary.
Debra Bercuvitz is the Substance Use Coordinator for the Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition. She is currently leading projects to improve Early Intervention referrals and enrollment for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Ms. Bercuvitz has been instrumental in the development of many state initiatives including the perinatal recovery coach workforce, perinatal substance use community collaboratives, IDEA Part C services for substance exposed newborns, and the Plan of Safe Care. She was formerly the director of a home visiting program staffed by peer mentors, working with perinatal women affected by substance use disorders, and their children.
Ashley Harrell, Senior Program Advisor, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Ashley Harrell is the Senior Program Advisor to the Division Director of the Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Ashley’s role in the Medicaid agency over the past several years was leading the implementation of the transformation of the Medicaid substance use disorder treatment services – “Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services or ARTS”. ARTS has been recognized nationally as the model for States implementing Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Waivers. Prior to transitioning to Behavioral Health in June 2016, Ashley managed the Maternal and Child Health Division at the Medicaid agency to improve access to and enhance services for women and children eligible for Medicaid. Prior to her work for Medicaid, Ashley worked in a non-for-profit hospital in Petersburg, Virginia in the Skilled Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit and general acute care. Ashley also has several years’ experience at Army Community Services at Fort Lee, Virginia as the New Parent Support Program Advisor to promote healthy families through a variety of services including home visits, support groups, and parenting classes. In this role, Ashley assisted Soldiers and Families learn to methods to cope with stress, isolation, post-deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood.
Karen Palombo, Team Lead - Substance Use Disorder Intervention and Treatment, Texas Health and Human Services
Karen Palombo works for the Health and Human Services Commission in the Medical and Social Services Division in the Substance Use Disorder Unit as the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Intervention Team Lead in Texas. Prior to this experience she has worked in hospital settings, mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings and for 9 years. She graduated from Louisiana State University with her Masters in Social Work. She has three children and currently lives in Austin, Texas.
The Top Five Reasons to Attend #NASHPCONF18
1) Informative sessions cover the nation’s most crucial health policy issues
#NASHPCONF18 is designed by state health policy makers for state health policy makers to explore the most up-to-date health care developments and initiatives in the United States. With 25+ thoughtfully-crafted sessions addressing the issues most important to you, as well as full-day preconferences that offer a deep dive into targeted topics, you’ll gain critical insights into the latest advances, changes, programs, and innovations in state health policy.
2) Outstanding networking opportunities
Our conference offers non-stop opportunities to network with more than 800 state health policy leaders from across the country. Join conference roundtables to discuss best practices and solutions to pressing issues with a small group of your peers, attend the networking breakfast or Blueberry Break to socialize with colleagues, or mix business with pleasure at our two evening events!
3) They’re not just speakers… They’re industry thought leaders
Our #NASHPCONF18 speakers are among the most distinguished and respected thought leaders in state health policy. Conference speakers will address a host of topics covering current and important issues, including health care costs, workforce, chronic care, stabilizing the individual market, social determinants of health and much more!
4) Exclusive access to the newest technology and business intelligence
NASHP’s exclusive exhibit hall offers a diverse group of exhibitors who are all eager to present you with the latest and greatest innovative ideas and smart solutions to help you achieve your goals.
5) Discover Jacksonville, Florida
Named to Expedia’s list of 21 Super Cool Cities in the U.S., Jacksonville is the perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure. With 22 miles of beaches, dining options that range from elegant bistros to local seafood shacks, more than 20 craft breweries, a sprawling arts district, wildlife sanctuary, and so much more, there is always something to do no matter what your mood. Enjoy the beautiful views of the St. Johns River while attending #NASHPCONF18 and experience all that this super cool city has to offer!
The agenda and registration for NASHP’s 31st Annual State Health Policy Conference, Shifting Tides in State Health Policy, are now available! Lock in your participation today and learn the latest from the nation’s leading experts about ways to reduce health care costs, address work force shortages, improve chronic care, stabilize the individual insurance market, and tackle the social determinants of health through effective policies and more! Attendees at last year’s event gave NASHP’s conference a 97 percent rating for overall substance. This year’s conference, from Aug. 15 to 17 in Jacksonville, FL, will explore issues that are critical to the state health policy community. This is a “must-attend” event!
Thursday, August 16th
7:30am – 8:30am
Included with conference registration
More information to come!
Friday, August 17th
8:30am – 12:00pm
View or download the agenda for this summit.
Open only to state officials, this half-day summit provides a unique opportunity for state officials to examine what they can do to lower drug prices, the challenges these initiatives face, and strategies to overcome them. The agenda is designed for and by state officials to help state legislators and staff, governors’ staff, state employee health benefit administrators, Medicaid, attorneys general staff, and other state officials share their experiences. During the summit, officials will:
This summit is made possible with support from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Richard N. Gottfried has chaired the NY State Assembly Health Committee since 1987 and represents a district in Manhattan. He works to expand publicly funded health coverage; protect patient autonomy, especially in reproductive and end-of-life care; and support safety-net health care providers. He sponsors the “New York Health” bill to create a state single-payer universal health plan and sponsored NY’s medical marijuana law. He’s a lawyer (Columbia, JD ’73) but does not have a private practice. Member of NY Academy of Medicine, National Academy for State Health Policy, Reforming States Group, NYC Bar Association, and NY Civil Liberties Union.
Julie Kotchevar has extensive experience working within the field of health and human services programs, particularly in the field of children and adults with disabilities. She has worked nationally and internationally for over 15 years to create efficient and agile systems that can skillfully respond to the changing needs of consumers while also ensuring that services are person centered, ethical, appropriate, and evidence-based. Within Nevada and nationally she has worked with state programs to identify and repair broken and inefficient systems. Internationally she worked to develop systems in several countries including primary and maternity care in central China, basic health and assessment services in rural parts of Indonesia, and early intervention systems for children and families in the Southern Sudan.Terry Cothran is currently the Director at Pharmacy Management Consultants (a division of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy) with 27 years of pharmacy experience and 24 years of that in management. He was previously the Operations Manager in other departments, such as Medication Therapy Management, Consulting Pharmacy, and Prior Authorization in a large Pharmacy Benefit Management environment. Prior to that, he was the Operations Manager in Specialty Pharmacy, the Regional Manager of Store Operations in a retail chain, and manager in the independent pharmacy environment.
Virginia Lyons, Vermont Senator, Vermont State Senate
Vermont Senator Virginia “Ginny” Lyons serves as Vice Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee and on the Finance Committee. She Co-Chairs Vermont’s Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty, Chairs the Joint Energy Committee, and serves on other Senate and community organizations. Ginny champions data informed policies that address public health, health care improvement, substance misuse, child and family resilience, consumer product safety, environmental and water quality, energy efficiency, and others. Ginny served as Town Select Board Chair for 15 years. As a College Biology Professor with a Doctorate form the University of Vermont, Senator Lyons developed and directed Pre-Medical and Allied Health programs.
Amir Bassiri, Senior Policy Advisor for Health, Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Amir Bassiri is a Senior Policy Advisor for Health in the Executive Chamber. He joined the Executive Chamber in 2015 through the Empire State Fellows Program working as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services on various policy areas, including pharmaceuticals, as well as other strategic health initiatives. Prior to joining the Executive Chamber, he served as the Director of Development at Urban Upbound, a not-for-profit organization committed to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City. He earned his B.A. in both Economics and Psychology from the University of California, Davis, before earning a Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W) from Columbia University. He is fluent in Farsi.In 1995, Trevor Douglass left his home in Victoria, BC to attend Chiropractic College in Portland, OR, at Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) now University of Western States,
Jim Jones, Partner, Ten2Eleven Business Solutions, LLC
Jim Jones is CFO and founding partner at Sacramento, CA based Ten2Eleven Business Solutions, LLC. Since starting the company in 2004, Jim and his team have helped numerous public and private sector clients solve unique technology challenges, with emphasis in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Jim’s involvement in system design and architecture has provided on the ground opportunities to learn and understand operational strategies in areas including product pricing and rebates, inventory administration, and contract management for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies alike.
Beyond custom solution development, Jim has significant experience in data analytics and reporting, having previously supervised teams of analysts responsible for financial and market analysis at LexisNexis and Waste Connections. Jim attended California State University, Sacramento.
David Seltz, Executive Director, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
David Seltz is the first Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Prior to this role, Mr. Seltz was the chief health care advisor for then-Senate President Therese Murray and served as the Special Advisor on health care for former Governor Deval Patrick (MA). Through these positions, Mr. Seltz advised the passage of Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006 and Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012. Mr. Seltz is a 2003 graduate of Boston College and originally from Minnesota. He was a recipient of Modern HealthCare’s 2015 Up and Comer Award, which recognizes young executives that have made significant contributions in the areas of healthcare administration, management or policy.
Dr. Norman Thurston, Representative, Utah State Legislature
Director, Office of Health Care Statistics, Utah Department of Health
Dr. Thurston has a Masters and Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University. Dr. Thurston has been a policy analyst and health economist for the Utah Department of Health in various roles for 15 years, including work on health systems reform. Currently, he is the Director of the Office of Health Care Statistics
Daniel Tsai, Assistant Secretary and Director of MassHealth
Daniel Tsai is the Assistant Secretary for MassHealth and Medicaid Director for the Commonwealth. Tsai was appointed in January 2015 by Governor Charlie Baker to oversee the state’s $15 billion Medicaid program, which covers one in four residents in the Commonwealth. In his role, Tsai is responsible for ensuring a robust and sustainable MassHealth program. That includes developing new policies, payment models, and operational processes that improve the way health care is delivered to 1.8 million low-and moderate-income individuals and individuals with disabilities. Before joining HHS, Tsai was a Partner and leader in McKinsey & Company’s Healthcare Systems and Services practice. He has significant experience on design and implementation of innovative, state-wide health care payment systems for Medicaid, Medicare and Commercial populations, and has worked closely with multiple state Medicaid programs, private payers, and health services companies. He received a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University. Assistant Secretary Tsai and his wife live in Cambridge. He volunteers at a local community health center in Boston’s South End.
Joshua Wojcik, Assistant Comptroller, Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller
Joshua Wojcik an Assistant Comptroller at the Connecticut State Comptroller’s Office. The Office of the State Comptroller is responsible for the employee and retiree medical, dental, and pharmacy benefit programs for 230,000 employees, retirees, and family members throughout the state. Joshua is responsible for the development and coordination of new policy initiatives for the office, oversees the implementation of new programs related to health care and state employee benefit changes and participates in all procurement activities for health care related vendors. Joshua represents the Office of the State Comptroller as a member of several health care related boards and committees and plays a lead role in negotiating the passage of major legislation promoted by the office related to health care, pharmacy costs or other significant issues.
Jane Horvath, Consultant, Horvath Health Policy
Jane Horvath is an experienced health policy analyst and policymaker. She has a deep background in Medicaid, commercial insurance markets and regulation, Medicare, and prescription drug pricing and reimbursement. Jane is a consultant on a variety of health care financing issues, including pharmaceutical costs.Friday, August 17th
12:00pm – 2:00pm
More information to come!
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
