October 24, 2023

Renaissance Phoenix Downtown

2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Conference Overview

The 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference will once again be taking place in-person on October 24th, 2023 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel!

Managing constant change in healthcare takes more than just hard work. It takes a solid understanding of the legislative process and knowledge about intricacies of the healthcare system. That’s where State of Reform comes in.

State of Reform pulls together practitioners, thought leaders, and policymakers – each working to improve the healthcare system in their own way – into a unified conversation in a single place.  It is sure to be one of the most diverse statewide gatherings of senior healthcare leaders, and one of the most important events in Arizona healthcare.

Join the conversation with other healthcare executives, and help shape reform on October 24th, 2023! If you have any questions, please feel free to drop us a line!

Topical Agenda

Here is our 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference Topical Agenda! This represents input from hours of conversations with our Advisory Panel and stakeholders across the spectrum of Arizona healthcare over the last number of months.

If you have suggestions for speakers, please feel free to drop us a line. We would love to hear your thoughts on this! If you have not already registered, you can do so here.

Please note that all agenda times are local.

7:30 - 8:30

Registration/Networking Breakfast

8:40 - 9:15

Opening Keynote: An Update on Federal Health Policy with Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso
Jeffrey Reynoso, DrPH: Region 9 Director, US Department of Health and Human Services

9:30 - 10:30

Political Insights into the AZ Legislature

The Future of Crisis Stabilization

Health Equity: Understanding & Acting On the Data

10:45 - 11:45

Efforts to Promote Sustainable Housing through Policy

Multi-Sector Workforce Retention Programs

Medicaid Redeterminations: Implications & Transitions

11:45 - 12:45

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00

Progress & Challenges in Treating Addiction

Case Management for the Justice-Involved Population

Examining the Wellness of Arizona’s Healthcare Marketplace

2:15 - 3:15

Issues & Initiatives in Tribal Healthcare

Levers in Improving Access & Affordability in Healthcare

3:30 - 4:00

Closing Keynote: A Conversation with AHCCCS CEO Carmen Heredia
Carmen Heredia: Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

We are honored to release our list of Advisory Panel members ahead of our 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference!

If you know Arizona healthcare, then you know this is a “who’s who” of senior Healthcare executives and health policy leaders in the state! These folks will help shape our October agenda through a process that launches early summer of 2023.

Want to be a speaker? Want to join the Advisory Panel? Just have questions? If so, drop us a line and let us know you’re interested.

First NameLast NameTitleCompany
JasonBezozoVice President, Government RelationsBanner Health
SandraBrightwell, Ed.D.PresidentArizona Health Information Management Association
BryanDaveyStrategic AdvisorGemiini Health
ZaidaDedolphHealth Policy AdvisorGovernor Katie Hobbs
CandyEspinoCEOArizona Council for Human Service Providers
TadGary Deputy CEOMercy Care
MelanieGlosterVP, GrowthCarelon Behavioral Health
JimHammondPublisher/CEOThe Hertel Report
CarmenHerediaDirectorArizona Health Care Cost Containment System
GregHerzogDirector, State Government AffairsBristol-Myers Squibb
WillHumbleExecutive DirectorArizona Public Health Association
MarcusJohnsonDirector, State Health Policy and AdvocacyVitalyst Health Foundation
GinaJudyChief Operating OfficerEasterseals Blake Foundation
JeanKalbacherCEOUnited Healthcare Community Plan of Arizona
LenKirschner, MDFormer DirectorArizona Health Care Cost Containment System
TaraMcCollum PleseChief External Affairs OfficerArizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
LibbyMcDannellCEO Arizona Medical Association
PriyaRadhakrishnanChief Academic Officer, VP Health EquityHonor Health
Swapna ReddyClinical Asst. ProfessorCollege of Health Solutions, Arizona State Univ.
BrendaSchmidtCEOCoplex
LeslieSchwalbeVice President, State and Local GovernmentOptum Health
ZoeSeverynExecutive DirectorTransplant Community Alliance & Transplant Team AZ
KarenShieldsChief Client Engagement OfficerGainwell Technologies
DebbieShumwayExecutive DirectorHospice of the Valley
LisaStevens AndersonArizona Market PresidentEquality Health
VinceTorresSr. Director, Children's Health FirstThingsFirst
ReggieWallaceNational Business Development & StrategyCarelon Behavioral Health
HollyWardVP, Communications Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
PaulWeigelManaging PartnerAZ Communications Solutions
WarrenWhitneySenior Vice PresidentValleywise Health

Major Sponsors

Health Management Associates Mercy Care Gainwell Technologies  Equality Health

Reception Sponsor

Vitalyst Health Foundation

Event Sponsors

Major Sponsors

Health Management Associates Mercy Care Gainwell Technologies  Equality Health

Track Sponsors

Vitalyst Health Foundation

Exhibitor Sponsors

Want to sponsor an upcoming conference?

See Sponorship Details

Our 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference Detailed Agenda features the list of over 40 speakers we have lined up to speak on event day.

Thank you to our Advisory Panel, made up of leaders in Arizona healthcare, who helped us put together a well-informed agenda. If you’re not already registered, you can do so here.

Let us know if you have any questions about the conference. We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix!

Time
Title
7:30 - 8:30

Registration & Networking Breakfast - Sponsored by UnitedHealthcare

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.

8:40 - 9:15

Opening Keynote: An Update on Federal Health Policy with Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso

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

9:30 - 10:30

Political Insights into the AZ Legislature

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

9:30 - 10:30

The Future of Crisis Stabilization

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)

9:30 - 10:30

Health Equity: Understanding & Acting On the Data

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)

10:45 - 11:45

Efforts to Promote Sustainable Housing through Policy

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)

10:45 - 11:45

Multi-Sector Workforce Retention Programs

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

10:45 - 11:45

Medicaid Redeterminations: Implications & Transitions

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

11:45 - 12:45

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00

Progress and Challenges in Treating Addiction

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)

1:00 - 2:00

Case Management for the Justice-Involved Population

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

1:00 - 2:00

Examining the Wellness of Arizona's Healthcare Marketplace

Panel to be announced soon

2:15 - 3:15

Issues & Initiatives in Tribal Healthcare

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)

2:15 - 3:15

Levers in Improving Access & Affordability in Healthcare

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)

3:30 - 4:00

Closing Keynote: A Conversation with AHCCCS CEO Carmen Heredia

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

Stay one step ahead. Join our email list for the latest news.