2023 Utah 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.

The One Utah Health Collaborative remains one of the most intriguing solutions to solving many of Utah’s healthcare issues, from rising healthcare costs to systemic health disparities. This Opening Keynote will feature a panel of Collaborative stakeholders from different sectors to discuss its key priorities, planned goals, and how the future of healthcare will be affected by the Collaborative’s work.

RyLee Curtis: Community Engagement Director, University of Utah Health

Jennifer Strohecker: Medicaid Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Jaime Wissler: Executive Director, One Utah Health Collaborative

Rebecca Nielsen: Managing Director, Leavitt Partners, a Health Management Associates Company (moderator)

In the aftermath of Utah’s 2023 legislative session, stakeholders are monitoring the implementation of a variety of new health policy reforms that will have significant impacts on the healthcare sector. This expert-rich panel will discuss the key things you need to know about the new health policy reforms that emerged from this year’s session.

Stephen Foxley: Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah

Brian Shiozawa, MD: Associate Vice President for Health Policy, University of Utah Health

Rachel Craig: Legislative Coordinator, Association for Utah Community Health

Paul Ray: Legislative & Government Services, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Following the implementation of the national 988 crisis hotline last year, Utah has been continuing its work to fortify the crisis response system. This year, lawmakers passed legislation to create assertive community treatment teams and expand the reach of mobile crisis response. To discuss Utah’s recent efforts on crisis response, we’ve convened this panel of experts with extensive experience in the field.

Mark Rapaport: Chief Executive Officer, Huntsman Mental Health Institute

Janida Emerson: Chief Executive Officer, 4th Street Clinic

Ross VanVranken: Chair of Commission, Utah Crisis Response Commission

Utah health leaders have resolutely declared their commitment to the proliferation of value-based care in recent years. The work of the One Utah Health Collaborative has compelling implications for stakeholders across the healthcare sector. We’ve brought together a group of Utah’s foremost VBC experts to talk about their work to improve care quality while reducing costs and what to expect heading into the future.

Scott Barlow: Chief Executive Officer, Revere Health

Ezra Segura: Market President, Aledade

Eric Cragun: Executive Director of Government Programs, Castell Health

Kate de Lisle: Associate Principal, Leavitt Partners, a Health Management Associates Company (moderator)

Utah lawmakers passed a plethora of healthcare policy reforms during its session earlier this year. To talk through their experience with this year’s session, what the newly passed legislation means for health policy stakeholders, and their health policy priorities heading into the future, we’ve curated this panel of seasoned health policy leaders from the legislature.

Sen. Jacob Anderegg: Member, Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Rep. Ken Ivory: Chair, House Health and Human Services Committee

Rep. Rosemary Lesser: Member, House Health and Human Services Committee

Continuous Medicaid coverage became decoupled from the federal public health emergency this month, meaning the eligibility redetermination process for the program is well underway. How can stakeholders from various siloes best collaborate to minimize gaps in coverage during this process? More generally, how can Utah increase the overall health insurance coverage rate of its population? This diverse group of experts will offer their insight on how to increase coverage in light of Medicaid redeterminations.

Chad Westover: Chief Executive Officer, University of Utah Health Plans

Jennifer Strohecker: Medicaid Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Matt Slonaker: Executive Director, Utah Health Policy Project

Russ Elbel: Assistant Vice President, Medicaid, SelectHealth

Mary Walter: Managing Director – Quality and Accreditation, HMA (moderator)

The advancement of health technology has revolutionized healthcare, and only more innovations are emerging as technology progresses. What does developing technology mean for Utah’s healthcare sector? How will new innovations improve healthcare delivery, and what are the potential consequences of these innovations? This panel of health IT experts will take up these questions and more.

Mark Newman: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nomi Health

Afu Taumoepeau: Founder & Chief Executive Officer, OP Media, Inc.

Ryan McLelland: Chief Technology Officer, Utah Health Information Network

Dave Dirks: Vice President of Strategy, Intermountain Healthcare

The need for addressing social determinants of health like housing and income is widely recognized as a central priority for Utah’s healthcare sector. But these interventions cost money—so what is the most efficient way to utilize available funding to address the social determinants? Attend this panel to hear from leading experts about the most effective strategies for funding the social determinants.

Colby Dailey: Principal, Multiplier Advisors

Caitlin Schneider: Senior Network Director, United Way of Salt Lake

Lisa Nichols: Community Health Assistant Vice President, Intermountain Healthcare

John Poelman: Director of Innovation, One Utah Health Collaborative (moderator)

The workforce shortage is perhaps the most pressing issue facing the healthcare system, not only in Utah but across the nation. With a variety of workforce-bolstering efforts already being pursued following the pandemic, what does the future hold for Utah’s workforce challenges? And with Utah’s healthcare workforce still in dire need of support, what are the best ways for different sectors to work together to meet workforce needs? Hear expert insight on Utah’s workforce challenges from this qualified group of speakers.

Liz Close, PhD: Executive Director, Utah Nurses Association

Ashley Moretz: Director, Primary Care & Rural Health, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Elizabeth Klc: Director, Utah Substance Use and Mental Health Advisory Council

Teresa Garrett: Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Utah

The pandemic has eroded the public’s trust in healthcare leadership as public health mandates took center stage. Public health guidance received pushback and caused division between government officials and the community. What are the future implications of this division? We’ve brought together these experts to explore how to reestablish trust between citizens and the government so the state can attain optimal public health outcomes.

Sarah Woolsey: Chief Medical Officer, Association for Utah Community Health

Carrie Butler: Executive Director, Utah Public Health Association

Alysia Ducuara: Executive Director, Get Healthy Utah

Patricia Doxey: Associate Principal, Leavitt Partners, an HMA Company (moderator)

Utah’s healthcare system has seen an increasing commitment to health equity in recent years. Equitable health outcomes are a critical priority for stakeholders across the healthcare landscape, but this work doesn’t come without its challenges. Attend this expert-led panel for valuable insights about how Utah can continue its work to close gaps in health outcomes for different demographics and ensure equity is prioritized across the care continuum.

Lily Griego: Regional Director, Region 8, US Department of Health and Human Services

Melissa Freigang: Executive Director, Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence

Dulce Diez: Director, Office of Health Equity, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Tiffany Capeles: Chief Equity Officer, Intermountain Healthcare

Mary Walter: Managing Director – Quality and Accreditation, HMA (moderator)

Easing access to patient health data and ensuring this data is interoperable between different siloes is a key priority for many Utah stakeholders. An initiative to centralize patients’ health records didn’t make it across the finish line during this year’s session. So what’s next in the movement toward a stronger data sharing ecosystem? Grab a seat at this panel for a robust conversation about how Utah can modernize its health data and ensure the healthcare entities that need it can have timely access.

Rep. Raymond Ward: Member, House Health and Human Services Committee

Donna Roach: Chief Information Officer, University of Utah Health

David Lee: Senior Director, Leavitt Partners, a Health Management Associates Company

Navina Forsythe, PhD: Chief Data Officer, Utah Health Information Network

Utah continues to rank as one of the worst states in the nation for mental healthcare access, and has some of the highest rates of suicide and mental health issues in the nation. With these concerns leading some to turn to substance use, addressing SUD is also a top priority. While much work has already been done to tackle these issues, the problem persists and more attention is needed. Hear from this group of subject-matter experts about the most promising strategies for improving mental healthcare and SUD services.

Rep. Steve Eliason: Member, House Health and Human Services Committee

Laura Summers: Director of Industry Research, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

Patrick Fleming: Chair, Utah Substance Use and Mental Health Advisory

Greg Bell: Chief Executive Officer, Utah Hospital Association (moderator)

Our Closing Keynote will be given by Tracy Gruber, Executive Director of the recently merged Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Gruber will discuss the progress DHHS has made since the merger and how it has positively impacted the agency’s work.

Tracy Gruber: Executive Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Rebecca Nielsen: Managing Director, Leavitt Partners, a Health Management Associates Company (moderator)

Please join us following the Closing Keynote session for a networking reception. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be included, giving attendees a wonderful opportunity to follow up on the discussions we’ve had throughout the day.