2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The networking breakfast will take place before the start of the conference to allow attendees to grab a light refreshment and connect with their fellow colleagues before we kick things off for the day.

We’re starting the day with a valuable update on federal health policy developments with Jeffrey Reynoso, DrPH, Director of Region 9 for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Join us to hear Reynoso discuss health policy work at the federal level and how it will impact Arizona stakeholders.

Jeffrey Reynoso, DrPH: Region 9 Director, US Department of Health and Human Services

With the 2024 legislative session only a few weeks away, leaders from Arizona’s healthcare community are focused on planning for and informing the health-related legislation that will be pursued in the upcoming session. Hear from these state legislative health policy experts about the bills and conversations that you can expect to see – and plan for – when the Arizona Legislature convenes next year.

Tom Dorn: President, Dorn Policy Group

Meghan McCabe: Director of Government Relations, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association

Amanda Sheinson: Government Relations Director, Arizona Medical Association

Arizona, including the state’s Medicaid program AHCCCS, is often recognized for its innovative and comprehensive approach to behavioral health crisis care. At the core are the state’s crisis response centers which aim to help every person in need, regardless of insurance coverage and condition. This panel will discuss initiatives aiming to further strengthen the state’s crisis response and stabilization services to meet community needs and connect people in crisis with high-quality behavioral health services.

Gene Cavallo: Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health Services, Valleywise Health

David Covington: CEO & President, RI International

Andrew Erwin: President, Solari Crisis & Human Services

Andrew Medina: Crisis Administrator, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Robin Trush: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Addressing health inequities is a critical priority across the Arizona healthcare landscape. But a key part of identifying and reducing health inequities is the collection and use of meaningful data and data analysis. Join this expert panel for a robust discussion about the current work to fortify public health data collection and different approaches that may be needed to make progress on health equity in the state.

Matthew Isiogu: Chief Revenue Officer, Contexture

Wesley Kortuem: Data Analytics Section Lead, Arizona Department of Health Services

Siman Qaasim: Assistant Director for Policy & Intergovernmental Affairs, Arizona Department of Health Services

Kathleen Cahill: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Access to housing and residential stability are crucial health-related social needs in Arizona that have significant impacts on a person’s health. How are Arizona’s housing and healthcare leaders, providers, and other community partners working to ensure the availability of quality, affordable housing for individuals in need? What are some of the existing obstacles and how can we collaborate to overcome them? Grab a seat at this panel if you’re interested in learning about how to promote stable housing in Arizona.

Elizabeth De Costa: Housing Administrator, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Suzanne Pfister: President & Chief Executive Officer, Vitalyst Health Foundation

Joan Serviss: Director, Arizona Department of Housing

Kathleen Nolan: Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Retaining the healthcare workforce is a central priority for the Arizona healthcare sector, as practitioners ranging from nurses to the direct care workforce continue to struggle to meet demand amidst burnout, violence, and pay competition. This curated group of experts will discuss the promising strategies for collaboratively supporting and strengthening Arizona’s healthcare workforce.

Wendy Armendariz: Chief Executive Officer, Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health

Sara Salek, MD: Deputy Director & Chief Medical Officer, Arizona Health Care Cost Containtment System

Heidi Sanborn: President, Arizona Nursing Association

With the Arizona Legislature approving a condensed Medicaid eligibility redetermination timeline of nine months, AHCCCS is currently reviewing eligibility for millions of Arizonans and working with stakeholders to minimize gaps in coverage during the process. How can AHCCCS and its partners ensure we’re reaching members who are at risk of losing coverage? How can the state continue to improve transitions in coverage for those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid? To hear more about this top-of-mind issue, join this panel of speakers who have immersed in this important work.

Kristen Challacombe: Deputy Director of Business Operations, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Debbie Hillman: Chief Administrative Officer, MercyCare

Matt Jewett: Director of Health Policy, Children’s Action Alliance

In Arizona, more than five people die every day from opioid overdoses, with fentanyl ranked as the most commonly reported drug in overdose cases. The state has several initiatives lined up to help address this challenge. Maricopa County recently invested $1.5 million of the state’s opioid settlement funds to expand an opioid treatment program for inmates and provide recovery options for them before and after they leave jail. This panel will discuss additional plans to address the state’s opioid addiction crisis.

Sarah Anderson: Director, Clinical Services, Core Recovery Integrated Behavioral Health

Eric Lott, MD: Medical Director, Addiction Medicine, Community Bridges, Inc.

Traci Nicely: Practice Administrator, Core Recovery Integrated Behavioral Health

Sara Salek, MD: Deputy Director & Chief Medical Officer, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Karen Tepper, PhD: President & Chief Executive Officer, Terros (moderator)

Arizona’s Medicaid agency has developed partnerships with several of the state’s justice system stakeholders to help individuals with connections to health and social services during their transitions out of carceral settings. With AHCCCS seeking federal approval for a waiver that will build on these existing initiatives, how can individuals across state healthcare and corrections organizations contribute to this work with the justice-involved population? What are some of the key policy and operational obstacles that need to be addressed? These experts will dive into this very timely topic.

David Crutchfield, MD: Medical Director, Maricopa County Correctional Health Services

Shelley Curran: Director, Crisis, Cultural, Prevention & Court Services, MercyCare

Cap. Brandon Smith: Division Commander, Inmate Medical Services, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

Panel to be announced soon

Arizona’s significant Native population faces its own unique set of challenges in accessing and receiving healthcare, meriting distinct approaches and solutions for tribal healthcare in the state. This panel of experts will discuss the current issues in healthcare for this population, as well as key initiatives and work underway to improve services for tribal members throughout the state.

Zaida Dedolph: Health Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Katie Hobbs

Marcus Johnson: Deputy Director of Community Engagement & Regulatory Affairs, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Kathleen Cahill: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

About four in 10 US adults say they have delayed or gone without medical care in the last year due to cost. High healthcare costs disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic adults, those with lower incomes, and uninsured adults, although those covered by insurance are not immune to the burden of healthcare costs. Find out what Arizona’s health care leaders are doing to analyze and address high costs and improve access to care during this informative panel.

Jonathan Melk, MD: Chief Executive Officer, Chiricahua Community Health Centers

Saudamini Wadwekar, MD: Chief Medical Director, Equality Health

Jim Hammond: Publisher & Chief Executive Officer, The Hertel Report (moderator)

It’s an honor to be closing out this informative day of conversations with a Q&A session featuring Carmen Heredia, the Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Grab a seat and hear from Heredia as she answers questions through both a facilitated discussion with the conference host and a Q&A with members of the audience.

Carmen Heredia: Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System