October 17, 2024

The Spokane Convention Center

2024 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference

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Conference Overview

The 2024 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference will once again be taking place in-person at the Spokane Convention Center on October 17th, 2024!

The State of Reform conference is focused on bridging the gap between health policy and political reality. Too often, those with good ideas for reforming healthcare don’t have a solid understanding of how the legislative process works. Those who understand politics don’t always comprehend the intricacies of the healthcare system. If you are interested in understanding what occurs at the nexus of health policy and politics, then this is the conference for you!

Join us at the Spokane Convention Center on October 17th to discuss the most important healthcare activities taking place in Eastern Washington. If you have any questions or speaker suggestions, please feel free to drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!

Topical Agenda

Here is our 2024 Inland Northwest 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 eastern Washington 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

8:30 - 9:15

Opening Keynote

Alicia Thompson, DrPH, LMSW: Administrative Officer, Spokane Regional Health District

9:30 - 10:30

Washington State’s Path Towards Universal Coverage

Strengthening Rural Access to Maternal Care

Training, Attracting & Retaining the Rural Healthcare Workforce

10:45 - 11:45

Providing Reentry Services to the Incarcerated Population

Expanding Access to Primary Care

The Impact of Medical Respite Care

11:45 - 12:45

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00

Schools as a Center of Care

Loneliness, Relationships & Mental Health: Strategies for Improving Relational Health

Increasing Access to Pharmacies in Eastern Washington

2:15 - 3:15

Examining the Evolving Behavioral Health Landscape

Washington’s Complex Discharge Pilot

3:15 - 4:00

Closing Plenary

Rep. Marcus Riccelli: Chair, Health Care & Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Charissa Fotinos, MD, MSc: State Medicaid & Behavioral Health Medical Director, Washington State Health Care Authority

Event Sponsors

Major Sponsors

Aetna Health Management Associates Premera Blue Cross United Healthcare PCMA Community Health Plan of Washington

Track Sponsors

Carelon Humana Fourfront Contributor Kaiser Permanente Washington State University (WSU) Spokane

Exhibitor Sponsors

Consistent Care Regence

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Time
Title
7:30 - 8:30

Registration & Networking Breakfast

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.

8:30 - 9:15

Opening Keynote

Alicia Thompson, DrPH, LMSW: Administrative Officer, Spokane Regional Health District

9:30 - 10:30

Washington State’s Path Towards Universal Coverage

Washington State continues to be a leader in expanding access to public and private health insurance. In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers allocated $28.4 million of the state budget towards continuing to expand coverage for immigrants. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the impact of Medicaid expansion in Eastern Washington and what they see as upcoming opportunities and barriers to universal coverage.

Mary Megliola Franzen, MPH: Coverage Strategies Manager, Washington State Health Care Authority

Jennyfer Mesa: Executive Director, Latinos En Spokane

Andre Stackhouse: Executive Director, Whole Washington

Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

9:30 - 10:30

Strengthening Rural Access to Maternal Care

Rural Washington is experiencing a decline in access to maternal healthcare services. Join this panel for a discussion about the impact that recent birth center closures, system consolidation, and changes to the federal landscape have on maternal health in the region. Panelists will also discuss work being done to maintain access to maternal/infant care, promising developments in tribal pregnancy risk assessments, the expansion of coverage to doulas and athome services for new moms.

Jessica Houseman-Whitehawk, MPH: Executive Director & Co-Founder, Ttáwaxt Birth Justice Center

Merry-Ann Keane: Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Beach Hospital & Medical Clinics

9:30 - 10:30

Training, Attracting & Retaining the Rural Healthcare Workforce

Join this panel discussion on opportunities and barriers facing the rural healthcare workforce. Experts will discuss what models are being used to prevent burnout of the current class of providers. While providers are needed at all levels of care, this panel will expand their focus beyond physicians and nurses to discuss promising training programs models in the region for aids, community health workers and other support staff.

Jacob Garcia, MBA, MSN, RN, PCCN: Staff Nurse, Assistant Professor; Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Heritage University-Nursing

Priya Helweg, MA: Acting Regional Director & Executive Officer, US Department of Health & Human Services, Region 10

Geoff Jones, MD: Clinical Associate Professor, Family Medicine; Assistant Clinical Dean, Spokane & Eastern Washington, University of Washington School of Medicine

Marguerite Ro, DrPH: Washington State Director, AARP

Clint Hagen: Chief Operations Officer, NEW Health (moderator)

10:45 - 11:45

Providing Reentry Services to the Incarcerated Population

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is currently implementing its Reentry Demonstration Initiative, which provides Medicaid benefits to incarcerated individuals up to 60 days prior to release. Join HCA and other leaders as they discuss the work being done to provide prerelease services for individuals leaving the carceral setting. Panelists will discuss lessons learned and ideas on long term sustainability of the program.

Maureen Correia, RN, BSN: Manager, Healthcare Services, Molina Healthcare of Washington

James Jensen: Senior Project Manager, Carelon Behavioral Health

Jason T. McGill, JD: Director, Medicaid Programs Division; Assistant Director, Washington State Health Care Authority

Layne Pavey, LICSW, CPC: Executive Director, Revive Spokane

Megan Beers, PhD: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates (moderator)

10:45 - 11:45

Expanding Access to Primary Care

Join this panel for a dynamic discussion about primary care reform efforts in Eastern Washington. Washington was selected as one of eight states that will implement the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’ Making Care Primary Model for Medicaid beneficiaries. These panelists will discuss how Washington’s provision of the model and other initiatives could improve primary care access for rural Washingtonians and the changes stakeholders can expect to see in the coming years.

Mack Hinson: President, Kinwell Medical Group

Nicole St. Clair, MD: Executive Medical Director, Regence

Judy Zerzan-Thul, MD, MPH: Chief Medical Officer, Washington State Health Care Authority

10:45 - 11:45

The Impact of Medical Respite Care

Medical respite care (MRC) offers acute and post-acute medical care for people experiencing homelessness. Join this panel of experts as they discuss how MRC is being used in Eastern Washington. Learn about the struggles and opportunities of new MRC programs.

Tarryn Bieloh, MPH: Medical Respite Manager, National Institute for Medical Respite Care

Dena Carr: Director, House of Charities

Charissa Fotinos, MD, MSc: State Medicaid & Behavioral Health Medical Director, Washington State Health Care Authority

Daniel Smith, MSW: Senior Regional Manager, Community Health Plan of Washington

 

11:45 - 12:45

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00

Schools as a Center of Care

Schools are a critical point of intervention in the healthcare system. Join this panel of experts as they discuss recommendations for optimizing the role of school-based health centers in the state. This panel will discuss how the state is considering leveraging Medicaid dollars to support student health and what other interventions are recommended to support students and families. You will also hear about the movement towards financial stability for school-based health centers.

Glen Chambers: Senior Vice President, External Relations, findhelp

Becky Droter, MSN, RN, NCSN: School District Nurse, Member; Colville School District, School Nurse Organization of Washington

Erin Dury: Executive Director, Washington School-Based Health Alliance

Hugh Ewart: Founder & Managing Partner, Adduna Health Partners

 

1:00 - 2:00

Loneliness, Relationships & Mental Health: Strategies for Improving Relational Health

Experts continue to be concerned about the decline in relational health among rural Washingtonians struggling with loneliness and isolation. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the role that community involvement plays on whole person health. They will also discuss a recent study on relational health by the Office of the Surgeon General and new programs in the region that are helping solve the issue.

John Ficker: Executive Director, Adult Family Home Council

Luke Wall: Executive Director, Only7Seconds

More speakers to be announced soon!

1:00 - 2:00

Increasing Access to Pharmacies in Eastern Washington

Access to prescription drugs is top of mind for rural healthcare leaders in a region where pharmacy deserts are all too common. Join this panel for a conversation about how each player in the pharmaceutical pipeline can improve access for rural communities. Hear about new regulations and what leaders expect the impact to be on communities.

Julie Akers, PharmD, FWSPA: Executive Assistant Dean, Associate Professor, Pharmacotherapy; Washington State University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Jenny Arnold, PharmD: Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Pharmacy Association

Teresa Harberg, PharmD: Assistant Vice President, Ambulatory Pharmacy Services, MultiCare

Dara Smith: Principal, Health Management Associates (Moderator)

2:15 - 3:15

Examining the Evolving Behavioral Health Landscape

Join this panel for a discussion about recent legislation aimed at improving behavioral health outcomes for Eastern Washingtonians and Tribal communities. Panelists will take a particular focus on the expansion of telemedicine’s role in addressing behavioral health workforce concerns in rural areas. The panel will also discuss recent work to address substance use disorder (SUD) and the impact of national opioid settlement funds.

Stephan Blanford, EdD: Executive Director, Children’s Alliance

Nikki Jones: Behavioral Health Clinical Director, UnitedHealthcare

Niki Lewis: Behavioral Health Program Manager, Wellpoint Washington

Rep. Tina Orwall, MSW: Member, Health Care & Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

2:15 - 3:15

Washington’s Complex Discharge Pilot

Healthcare facilities often face challenges in discharging patients with complex care needs from hospitals to post-acute, community, or home-based or community environments. Washington State has implemented a two-year task force and five-site pilot to identify the primary barriers in these transitions and offer recommendations to improve the system for patients and providers. Hear from pilot participants about lessons learned from the launch.

Madeline Grant: Chief Administrative Officer, UW Medicine

Bianca Caballero, MSW, LICSW: Program Operations Specialist for Bed Readiness/State Pilot Programs, Harborview Medical Center

Leona Parker: Senior Director of Population Health & Clinical Operations, Coordinated Care

Zosia Stanley: Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Washington State Hospital Association (Moderator)

3:15 - 4:00

Closing Plenary

Don’t miss this unique plenary featuring two of Washington State’s most influential healthcare leaders, HCA Medicaid Director and Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Charissa Fotinos and outgoing House Health Care & Wellness Committee Chair Rep. Marcus Riccelli. These two leaders will provide their perspectives on several of the key health policy challenges in Washington that were discussed throughout the day.

Charissa Fotinos, MD, LICSW: State Medicaid & Behavioral Health Medical Director, Washington State Health Care Authority

Rep. Marcus Riccelli: Chair, Health Care & Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

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