2024 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The Networking Breakfast will take place before the start of the conference to allow attendees to grab light refreshments and connect with their fellow colleagues before we kick things off for the day.

With health equity being a critical through-line for all the topics on the day’s agenda, we’re beginning the day with a keynote featuring Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Chief Catalyst at the Equity Project. Dr. Mosby Tyler will discuss the work to bridge health equity gaps in Colorado and set the tone for the day’s discussions by grounding the work to improve state healthcare in equity. Thank you to Unite Us for sponsoring this keynote!

Dwinita Mosby Tyler, PhD: Chief Catalyst, The Equity Project

Colorado is embarking on an exciting move towards creating a statewide exchange of social data related to housing, food security, and more. Join this panel as they discuss the growing significance of health information exchange and how health-related social needs (HRSNs) data can support patient care. This panel will dive into how providers can connect with communities to gather HRSN information and the infrastructure needed to support these changes.

Cara Hebert: Director of Account Management & External Partnerships, Colorado Community Health Alliance

Stephanie Pugliese: Director, Office of eHealth Innovation, State of Colorado

Jackie Sievers: Chief Operating Officer & Community Resource Network Director, Quality Health Network/Contexture

Moderator: Eric Pfeifer, MHI: Director of Data Analytics & Resources, Health Management Associates

Healthcare experts are anticipating worsened uninsured rates in the aftermath of Medicaid redeterminations. Panelists will discuss the concern about the fiscal cliff looming as ARPA funding dwindles. They will also discuss some promising current efforts to maximize private and public healthcare coverage in the state, including the newly implemented Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrant children and pregnant women.

Polly Anderson: Vice President of Strategy & Financing, Colorado Community Health Network

Lily Griego: Region VIII Director, US Department of Health & Human Services

Bethany Pray: Chief Legal & Policy Officer, Colorado Center on Law & Poverty

Rachel Reiter: Director of Policy, Communications, & Administration Office, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Moderator: Gaurav Nagrath: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Colorado is working on addressing several issues related to women’s health. Hear from this panel about state efforts to decrease maternal mortality and increase access to doulas for pregnant patients. Learn about how these disparities vary based on whether a patient is in rural or urban Colorado. Panelists will also discuss the state’s recent move to cover immigrant pregnant women and children.

Rebecca Alderfer, MPP: Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative

Gina Martinez Valentin: Executive Director, The Colorado Doula Project

Joy Twesigye: Vice President of Health Systems Integration, Colorado Access

Essey Yirdaw, MPH: Senior Director, Data Analytics & Health Equity, Colorado Hospital Association

Moderator: Rebecca Kellenberg, MPP: Principal, Health Management Associates

Colorado’s behavioral health system has undergone some major changes over the past couple of years. Panelists will discuss the intent and impact of recent reforms, patients’ experiences with the behavioral health system in recent years, and promising upstream solutions for improving behavioral health heading into the future. Speakers will also discuss the work to improve youth mental health and address substance use disorder (SUD), including the expanded availability of SUD treatments.

Cristen Bates: Director, Medicaid & CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives & Coverage Office, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Brian Hill, MD, FAAFP: Medical Director, Chief Clinical Officer; Carelon Behavioral Health, Health Colorado

Ray Merenstein: Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Colorado

Dannette R. Smith, MSW: Commissioner, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

Moderator: Shannon Breitzman: Principal, Health Management Associates

Join this panel as they discuss the challenges facing Colorado’s health workforce. Hear from experts about what strategies are being used to recruit and retain workers in healthcare, public health, long-term care and more. This conversation will take a holistic view of the entire healthcare field while also discussing sector–specific issues in the workforce.

Lorin Chevalier: Founder, PeopleCare Health Services

Colin Laughlin: Deputy Office Director, Office of Community Living, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Lindsey Myers: Vice President, Public Health Workforce & Infrastructure, Association of State & Territorial Health Officials

Sara E. Miller, MPA: Founder & Owner, Faculty Member; Otowi Group, University of Colorado School of Public Health

Moderator: Jaime Pearson: Workforce Program Manager, CommonSpirit Health

As Colorado faces increasing uninsured rates, healthcare experts are considering what needs to be done to maintain primary care network sustainability. Join this panel as they discuss what policy makers should consider when addressing primary care sustainability. Hear panelists discuss the impact that private equity is having on primary care.

Ryan Biehle, MPA, MPH, CAE: Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians

Colleen Daywalt, MPP: Vice President, Government Programs, Physician Health Partners & Colorado Community Health Alliance

Steve Federico, MD: Chief Government & Community Affairs Officer, Denver Health

Moderator: Liz Charles: Senior Program Officer, Colorado Health Foundation

We’re thrilled to welcome Gov. Jared Polis for lunchtime remarks about his administration’s work to improve health policy in the state. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from the governor about his perspective on many of the topics on today’s agenda and his goals for reforming Colorado healthcare.

Rural communities are struggling to retain local healthcare providers. Join this panel of experts as they discuss rural hospital closures and the rise in maternity care deserts. Hear about how reimbursement rates, uninsured rates, and the lack of local housing are contributing to the issue. Join a robust conversation about potential policy solutions to the issue.

Joshua Ewing, MPA, CAE: Vice President of Rural Health, Colorado Hospital Association

Katelin Lucariello: Policy Director, PhRMA

Michelle Mills: Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Rural Health Center

Jennifer Riley, MHA, FACHE: Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Regional Health

Moderator: Kenneth Cochran, DSc, RN, FACHE: Managing Director, Delivery Systems, Health Management Associates

Recent state budget forecasts have indicated that Colorado legislators will either be maintaining current budget levels or even cutting the healthcare budget. Join this panel of experts as they discuss what they expect from the upcoming state budget. Hear how a reduced budget may impact insurance/provider rates, and how policymakers could approach the idea of doing more with less money.

Katherine Mulready: Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Colorado Hospital Association

Bettina Schneider: Chief Financial Officer, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Ed Sealover: Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Editor, Colorado Chamber of Commerce

Moderator: Gaurav Nagrath: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Colorado is considering several approaches to addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs). Join this group of experts as they discuss opportunities available under the 1115 waiver, including ways to address jail reentry services, transportation issues and housing needs.

Esther Farkas: Chief Operating Officer, Unite Us

Annie Lee: Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Access

Julissa Soto: Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Latino Health Equity Consulting

Moderator: Courtney Thompson: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

Join us for a unique session featuring some of Colorado’s leading policymakers in the healthcare space. During this panel, attendees will respond to a series of poll questions about issues in state healthcare on their phones, which will then be displayed on the screen for lawmakers to react to and discuss. Topics will include the healthcare workforce, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, and more.

Rep. Lindsey Daugherty: Chair, House Health & Human Services Committee, Colorado General Assembly

Sen. Rhonda Fields: Chair, Senate Health & Human Services Committee, Colorado General Assembly

Sen. Jim Smallwood: Minority Caucus Chair, Colorado General Assembly

Moderator: Joan Henneberry, MS: Health Policy Consultant

We’re closing with a valuable keynote from Dr. Donna Lynne, Chief Executive Officer of Denver Health. Dr. Lynne will speak to what it’s like to lead Denver Health—Colorado’s largest safety net health system—the organization’s recent ballot initiative to secure more sustainable funding, and the responsibility of providing access to the highest quality, equitable healthcare for vulnerable patients.

Donna Lynne, DrPH: Chief Executive Officer, Denver Health