This page was last updated on July 15, 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 cover the 2026-2027 health policy landscape and what we can expect in an increasingly unpredictable environment. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 
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. |
| 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 |
| 12:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks |