2026 HPO Agenda | AcademyHealth

This page was last updated on August 4, 2026

Monday, October 26, 2026
TIME	ACTIVITY
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions
9:00–10:00 a.m.	Health Policy 2026-2027: What to Expect in Uncertain Times This session will examine the evolving health policy landscape and what participants can expect in the year ahead amid a rapidly changing policy environment. Speakers: Presenter Joanne Kenen Journalist-in-Residence - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Joanne Kenen is the Journalist-in-Residence at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Read Bio Sandhya Raman, Bloomberg Industry Group
10:00–10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30–11:30 a.m.	How Congress Works This session reviews the congressional timetable and processes, as well as the role of congressional staff and committees with specific examples of legislation on health programs. Speaker: Presenter Rodney Whitlock, Ph.D. Vice President - McDermott+Consulting Rodney is an accomplished health care executive with more than two decades on the Hill. Read Bio
11:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m.	Lunch Location: TBD
2:00–3:15 p.m.	The Executive Branch This session looks at the role of the White House in health policymaking and how it relates to health-focused and non-health focused cabinet-level agencies. Panelists also discuss the office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Public Health Service agencies. Moderator: Committee Member, Member, Presenter Adaeze Enekwechi, Ph.D., M.P.P. CEO - Cayaba Care Adaeze Enekwechi, Ph.D., M.P.P. is the CEO of Cayaba Care. Read Bio Speakers: Presenter Christopher Jennings President - Jennings Policy Strategies Chris Jennings is an over three decades-long health policy veteran of the White House, the Congress and the pr... Read Bio Presenter Jennifer Young Co-founder - Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC Jennifer B. Young served as the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the Department of Health and Human Serv... Read Bio
3:15–3:45 p.m.	Break
3:45–4:45 p.m.	Hot Topic: AI In Health and Health Care AI is everywhere and Capitol Hill is no exception. Importantly, health technology is an area of emphasis for the current administration. This hot topic session will explain, in plain language, how Washington is shaping the use of AI in health care. Speakers will tackle what’s in play now and what to expect in the future, from making health records connect across systems to efforts to quell “information blocking” and from building trusted data-sharing networks to how plans pay for AI-enabled care. Learn about the key players and agencies, the policy levers available, and how can researchers and advocates contribute to these important conversations.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
TIME	ACTIVITY
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30–9:30 a.m.	Federal Budgeting This session presents the big picture of federal budgeting, its players, and the formal and informal budget processes, as well as how budgets influence policy and how tax cuts and budget deficits drive the policy agenda.
9:30–9:45 a.m.	Break
9:45–10:45 a.m.	The Role of the Courts This session focuses on the role of courts in health care, discussing the use of the legal system to regulate health care and health care delivery. The session also looks at current health care cases that have been elevated to the Supreme Court. Speaker: Member, Presenter Sara Rosenbaum, J.D. Professor Emerita, Health Law and Policy - George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., is Professor Emerita, Health Law and Policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Hea... Read Bio
10:45–11:00 a.m.	Break
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Public Opinion and Health Policy This session looks at how the public perceives health issues and reviews recent polling data.
12:00–1:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:15–2:15 p.m.	Evidence and Influence: How Policymaking Really Works This session will explore how evidence is used in the policymaking process, offering a realistic view of how policy decisions are shaped in both the legislative and executive branches. Attendees will gain insights into when and how evidence informs policy, along with real-world examples of success and failure. The session will also examine the critical role that outside organizations and experts play in engaging with federal policymakers, including what types of information are most valuable, how these interactions occur, and what strategies are most (and least) effective in influencing decisions
2:15–2:30 p.m.	Break
2:30–3:30 p.m.	Medicare, MA, and Health Insurance Marketplaces This session will explore issues related to Medicare and its payment and delivery system reforms, health insurance coverage, and health insurance marketplaces.
3:30–3:45 p.m.	Break
3:45–4:45 p.m.	The States' Health Policy Agenda This session reviews the key health issues facing the states, including Medicaid/CHIP, insurance exchanges, and the implementation of health care reform.
5:00 p.m.	Happy Hour (optional) Location: TBD

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
TIME	ACTIVITY
8:00–8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30–10:30 a.m.	Information Sources for Policymaking We will begin the first half of this session with a panel discussion. After, participants will meet in small groups with each expert to learn their agency’s role in providing information and resources for decision makers in the policymaking process. Speakers: Presenter Kirstin Blom, MPIA Policy Director - CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) Kirstin Blom is a policy director at the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Read Bio Stephanie Cameron, Sc.M. Assistant Director - Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Stephanie Cameron, Sc.M is the Assistant Director at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), a nonp... Read Bio Presenter Lara Robillard, M.P.Aff. Principal Analyst - Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Lara Robillard has been a principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in the Budget Analysis Di... Read Bio Marco A. Villagrana, M.S.W. Analyst, Health Care Financing - Congressional Research Service Marco Villagrana has conducted policy analysis in the public and private sector for over 20 years. Read Bio
10:30–11:00 a.m.	Break
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	How to Communicate with Policy Leaders This hands-on workshop provides pointers for communicating effectively with decision-makers. Panelists will review the various vehicles for communicating your message to key constituencies, tips on developing messages and outreach strategies, the use of media to bridge research and policy, and how to become more involved in health policy and politics Speaker: Staff Lauren Adams, M.A. Senior Director of Communications and Marketing - AcademyHealth Lauren Adams, M.A., is senior director of communications and marketing at AcademyHealth, where she oversees st... Read Bio
12:00 p.m.	Closing Remarks