2024 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The Networking Breakfast, sponsored by Enterprise Social Record, LLC, 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.

We’re starting the day with a keynote from Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Grab a seat to hear Hertel update the audience on key MDHHS initiatives and her agency’s long-term goals for Michigan healthcare.

Elizabeth Hertel: Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Michigan has seen success so far in its implementation of 988 services across the state. As mobile crisis initiatives and stabilization units are implemented, how can Michigan continue to provide robust crisis services to patients in need? These experts will discuss the path forward for 988 and crisis response.

Krista Hausermann, LMSW, CAADC: Manager, Crisis Services & Stabilization Section, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Jill Smith, LMSW, CAADC: Senior Director, Michigan Crisis & Access Line/988, Common Ground

Grace Wolf, MS, CRC, LCMHC: Vice President, Crisis Care Services, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network

Wendy Farmer, LPC, MBA: Regional Vice President of Account Management & Crisis Services, Carelon Behavioral Health (moderator)

This panel will focus on some of the successes Michigan has seen in reducing racial health disparities over the past several years. While work remains, it’s important to examine efforts that have helped close equity gaps in healthcare and apply these demonstrated successes to future initiatives. Join these experts for an in-depth discussion about a timely topic.

Caira Boggs, DHEd, MCHES: Director, Detroit Health Innovations; Director, Center for Health Equity Practice, Michigan Public Health Institute

Brenda Jegede: Leader, Office of Equity & Minority Health, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Marjorie Mitchell: Executive Director, Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network (MICHUHCAN)

Tawana Nettles-Robinson: Executive Director, Detroit Market, Trinity Health Michigan

Commercial insurance costs are rising, Medicaid redeterminations are wrapping up, and state leaders are evaluating coverage mandates. Amid all these factors, what does Michigan’s healthcare coverage landscape look like—for both public and private insurance? This panel will discuss the state of healthcare coverage and the best strategies for getting uninsured Michiganders covered.

Michelle Beebe: Chief Revenue Officer, Small Business Association of Michigan

Rep. Brenda Carter: Chair, Michigan House Insurance & Financial Services Committee

Karin Gyger: Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Insurance & Financial Services

Kathleen Nolan: Senior Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates (moderator)

State leaders are proposing a funding increase for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) after the model has yielded success in its first few years of operation. The state has also increasingly prioritized integrating physical and behavioral health. This panel will discuss how these efforts and others can continue promoting high–quality, accessible behavioral healthcare in Michigan.

Phillip Bergquist: Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Primary Care Association

Lauren LaPine, MPH: Senior Director, Legislative & Public Policy, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Jennifer McCarty: Vice President of Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Genesee Health System

Lindsey Naeyaert, MPH: State Administrative Manager, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services 

Jeff Greshak: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The State of Michigan is soliciting proposals for Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) providers this year to integrate Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) with dual-eligible services. How will this change the long-term care landscape in the state? Join this expert panel for a deep dive into a very pertinent issue for Michigan’s health sector.

Luke Reynolds: Board Chair, PACE Association of Michigan

David Rogers: President, Independent Living Systems

Christine Vanlandingham: Chief Executive Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging

Shane Spotts: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Various critical programs in Michigan face funding cliffs as financial support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) nears depletion. Health leaders are eager to ensure the individuals relying on ARPA-funded services continue to receive treatment after funding runs out. During this panel, hear about where Michigan goes from here from some of the leaders most involved in ARPA fund distribution.

Adam Carlson: Senior Vice President, Advocacy, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Kyle Jen: Director, Alvarez & Marsal

Robert Widigan: Chief Deputy Financial Officer, Wayne County

Andrew Schalk: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Michigan has poured immense resources into growing and retaining its healthcare workforce in recent years. Though much of this work has yielded success, the workforce shortage persists as a top issue for the state’s healthcare sector. Grab a seat at this panel to hear about how healthcare workforce shortages are impacting the state and the most promising approaches to the issue moving forward.

Laura Appel: Executive Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Brian Babbitt: Chief Executive Officer, North Country Community Mental Health

Craig Donahue: President & Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Health Council

Katie Pontifex, BS, BSN, RN, CMSRN: Associate Executive Director of Healthcare Practice, Policy & Strategic Initiatives, Michigan Nurses Association

Dave Schneider: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Rising prescription drug costs continue to be a key challenge for Michiganders.  The state is pursuing initiatives like Canadian drug importation and the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help combat this issue. What are the implications of these programs, and will they be enough to ensure critical medications are accessible for patients? These leaders will talk through the state’s efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable.

Michael Cabonargi: Regional Director, Great Lakes Region, Region V, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Rep. Alabas Farhat: State Representative, District 3, Michigan House of Representatives

Dominick Pallone: Executive Director, Michigan Association of Health Plans

Eric Roath, PharmD, MBA: Director of Governmental Affairs, Michigan Pharmacists Association

In the aftermath of the pandemic, state leaders have placed an increased focus on children’s health. School-based services play a critical role in ensuring youth receive the care they need as they navigate physical and behavioral health challenges. These experts will discuss the state of children’s health in Michigan and how to best leverage school-based services. 

Taggert Doll: Section Manager, Child & Adolescent Health Services, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Scott Hutchins: School Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor, Michigan Department of Education

Evilia Jankowski, MSA, BSN, RN: State School Nurse Consultant, Michigan Department of Education

Natalie Kasiborski, PhD, LMSW, MPH: Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Amy Zaagman: Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal & Child Health

The health sector has raised concerns about rising levels of violence directed towards healthcare workers. The issue impacts a wide range of providers, from hospital staff to home-based care providers. This panel will explore how leaders from various areas of healthcare can collaborate to minimize the rate of healthcare workplace violence and establish safer working spaces for healthcare workers.

Rep. Kelly Breen: State Representative, 21st House District, Michigan House of Representatives

Jamie Brown, BSN, RN, CNRN: President, Michigan Nurses Association

Seth K. Karnes: Senior Director of Risk, Consulting, & Training, HSS/Tarian

Hailey Olsick, BSN, RN: Critical Care Nurse, McLaren Bay/SEIU

Michelle Peña, MSN, RN, NEA-BC: Chief Nursing Officer, Trinity Health Grand Rapids

To support incarcerated Michiganders struggling with opioid use, Michigan health leaders have prioritized the implementation of jail-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services. What progress has the state made in this area, and what work remains? This unique panel will evaluate the path forward for offering MAT services in the carceral setting.

Jeffrey Cook: Undersheriff, Eaton County Sheriffs

Richard Fuller: Sheriff, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office

Jared Welehodsky: State Assistant Administrator, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Rich VandenHeuvel: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The impact of new technologies and the growing role of artificial intelligence is a key interest for Michigan health policy stakeholders. These leaders will discuss the benefits and downsides of AI and other new technologies, how to ensure their safe use, and the role they can play in health data interconnectivity in the state.

Kimberly Bachelder: Director of State Accounts, Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services 

Jim Lee: Senior Vice President of Health & Data Policy, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Scott Monteith, MD, DLFAPA: Medical Director, Network180

Trey Sutten: Chief Executive Officer, Siftwell

Jim McEvoy: Data Analytics Resources Director, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Join us for a Closing Keynote with Michael Cabonargi, Director of Region V at the US Department of Health & Human Services. Cabonargi will update the audience on federal health policy initiatives, how they impact Michiganders’ healthcare, and what to expect from HHS looking ahead to the rest of 2024.

Michael Cabonargi: Regional Director, Great Lakes Region: Region V, US Department of Health & Human Services