2023 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference

We are honored to be starting today’s conversation with Georges Benjamin, MD, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association. As former secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, he has extensive knowledge of not only national health issues, but state-based issues as well. Dr. Benjamin will discuss a plethora of health challenges from Medicaid to the delivery level.

Georges Benjamin, MD: Executive Director, American Public Health Association

Jon Kromm: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (Conference Host)

The Maryland Legislature passed legislation this year that will have important impacts on stakeholders across the healthcare sector, from behavioral health workforce to public health reforms. This carefully curated panel of experts who know the ins and outs will speak to the key health-related legislation that emerged from the session.

June Chung: Deputy Legislative Officer, Governor’s Legislative Office

Leonard Lucchi, Esq: Principal, O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A.

Vincent DeMarco: President, Maryland Health Care for All Coalition (moderator)

Revenue challenges, increased demand for care, significant workforce shortages—these are all issues that Maryland’s hospitals continue to face. Although the state’s unique Total Cost of Care Model has helped smooth the path through difficulties, it’s clear that the current system needs financial and structural support. Join this panel to hear from some of the state’s leading hospital experts on what lies ahead.

Marie Grant: Assistant Secretary for Health Policy, Maryland Department of Health

Nicki McCann: VP, Provider and Pay Transformation, Johns Hopkins Health System

Megan Renfrew: Associate Director, External Affairs, Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission

We see growing consensus in the Maryland healthcare sector that addressing disparities in health outcomes should be a top priority. To achieve these outcomes, leaders in all areas of health policy must come together to effectively fund interventions that improve health equity. This panel will hold an in-depth conversation about the most effective ways to finance efforts to bridge equity gaps.

Natalie Burke: President & Chief Executive Officer, CommonHealth ACTION

Annice Cody: President, Holy Cross Health Network

Angelo Edge: Chief Executive Officer, Aetna Better Health of Maryland

Suzanne Schlattman: Deputy Director, Maryland Healthcare for All Coalition

Madeleine Shea: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Interested in hearing from leaders on the frontlines of healthcare policymaking in the Maryland Legislature? This respected group of lawmakers will talk through their work on health policy during this year’s legislative session and provide an overview of the key legislation to emerge from it.

Del. Bonnie Cullison: Vice-Chair, House Health and Government Operations Committee

Del. Nicholaus Kipke: Member, House Health and Government Operations Committee

Del. Robbyn Lewis: Member, House Health and Government Operations Committee

Brian Frazee: Vice President, Government Affairs, Maryland Hospital Association (moderator)

Developments in health information technology have the potential to transform healthcare delivery. While there are many IT innovations, challenges remain for Maryland’s healthcare sector as it works to modernize health data sharing. These experts will dive into this important policy area and offer their insight.

Sheena Patel, MD: Senior Director, CRISP Health

Patrick McLaughlin: Executive Director, MD THINK

Jon Kromm: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The state is in the middle of implementing Medicaid eligibility redeterminations for Marylanders who maintained coverage under the federal government’s continuous coverage provision during the pandemic. Now that continuous coverage requirements are ending, many Marylanders are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage. As stakeholders work to minimize coverage losses during this process, broader efforts to increase coverage are paramount. This expert panel will discuss redeterminations and how the state can work to close the coverage gap.

Jennifer Briemann: Executive Director, Maryland Managed Care Organization Association

Alyssa Brown: Director, Innovation, Research, and Development, Office of Health Care Financing, Maryland Department of Health

Kathlyn Wee: Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Maryland & DC

Andrea Maresca: Principal, Federal Policy, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Every sector of healthcare is facing significant and sustained workforce challenges that arose or worsened during the pandemic. This problem spans from home-based healthcare to hospitals. This timely panel will focus on the most promising solutions to the workforce crisis, including how to support and reduce burnout among the existing workforce as well as how to recruit more healthcare professionals into the workforce to meet demand.

Stacey Garnett: Chief Nursing Officer, Sheppard Pratt

Gene Ransom, III: Chief Executive Officer, MedChi

Erin Dorrien: Vice President, Policy, Maryland Hospital Association (moderator)

Maryland has a range of Medicaid programs designed to support the different communities and populations who receive Medicaid benefits. These programs must constantly drive innovation to ensure that supports and services are delivered to meet the varied needs of Medicaid beneficiaries—both in the community and in clinical settings. We are thrilled to welcome top healthcare leaders to discuss not only the future of Medicaid in Maryland, but the waivers and innovations attendees should focus on in the future.

Ryan Moran: Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Cynthia Woodcock: Executive Director, The Hilltop Institute

Robin Preston: Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Ensuring access to high-quality behavioral health services is a priority in Maryland. As states and counties emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity to institutionalize flexibilities and innovations, combined with rethinking workforce solutions and the opportunity to engage across public and private partners to re-imagine the behavioral health continuum, make this an exciting session to attend.

Kathryn Dilley: Executive Director, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.

Shannon Hall: Executive Director, Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland

Erin McMullen: Chief of Staff, Maryland Department of Health

Crista Taylor: President & Chief Executive Officer, Behavioral Health System Baltimore

Nationally, there is a recognition that there is a mental crisis impacting our children, youth, and young adults. The COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of gun violence and the increasing evidence of negative impacts of social media on the wellbeing of children and youth have created a watershed moment to build a different mental health response system for children and youth in Maryland. Join our expert panelists as they discuss the trends and opportunities that are being considered for children’s behavioral health in Maryland.

Sandra Gasca-Gonzalez: Vice President, Center for Systems Innovation, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Linda Henderson-Smith, PhD: Senior Product Director, Carelon Behavioral Health

Angela Lello: Regional Director, Policy, East, UnitedHealthcare Community & State

Uma Ahluwalia: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The growing cost of prescription drugs is continuing to impede patients’ access to critical medications. With recent federal policy, as well as Maryland-specific efforts such as the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board, aiming to make medications more affordable, this group of subject matter experts will lead a robust discussion about the work to lower prescription drug costs for Marylanders.

Mandi Poplawski, PharmD: Vice President of Pharmacy Management, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield

Mariana Socal, MD, PhD: Associate Scientist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Andrew York, PharmD: Executive Director, Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board

The pandemic laid bare significant gaps in public health preparedness at the federal, state, and local levels. Looking to the future, how can Maryland’s public health systems learn from their experiences during COVID and ensure they’re prepared for the next public health crisis? This panel will talk through the best ways to strengthen Maryland’s public health infrastructure.

Nilesh Kalyaranaman: Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Sen. Clarence Lam: Member, Senate Finance Committee

Boris Lushniak, MD: Dean, School of Public Health, University of Maryland

We’re very excited to be closing out the conference featuring a conversation with Maryland’s Secretary of Health, Laura Herrera Scott. Grab a seat at the Closing Keynote to hear Herrera’s updates on the state’s work to improve healthcare, as well as her thoughts about future healthcare policy making in the state.

Laura Herrera Scott, MD: Secretary of Health, Maryland Department of Health

Jon Kromm: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (Conference Host)