2024 Northern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The Networking Breakfast, sponsored by Unite Us, 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 Sandra Hernandez, MD, President and CEO of the California Health Care Foundation. Grab a seat as Hernandez discusses her organization’s ongoing work to improve healthcare delivery, bridge gaps in health equity, and expand access to care.

Sandra Hernandez, MD: President & Chief Executive Officer, California Health Care Foundation

Hospitals across Northern California are experiencing unprecedented strain. Recent initiatives like the Distressed Hospital Loan Program and the MCO Tax have been implemented to provide financial support for these facilities, but how can leaders ensure hospitals are financially stable over the long term? This panel will discuss the most promising strategies for hospital financial stability.

Carolyn Aboubechara: Executive Director of the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, California Treasurer’s Office

Ben Johnson: Vice President, Policy, California Hospital Association

J.P. Marion: Deputy Director,California Department of Health Care Access & Information

Anne McLeod: President & Chief Executive Officer, Private Essential Access Community Hospitals

Robert Minkin: Managing Director, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Many residents have coverage in California, but often face other barriers to accessing care. Rural health system closures, workforce shortages, and cost are significant and thorny issues.  This panel will discuss the options communities have to help ameliorate access barriers and support the tools that make getting timely, quality care possible for all populations.

Chris Esguerra, MD: Chief Medical Officer, Health Plan of San Mateo

Sylvia Trujillo, MPP, JD: Executive Director, California Telehealth Resource Center

Katharine Weiss: Program Director, State of Reform (moderator)

CalAIM’s widespread transformation of the Medi-Cal program is now in its third year. While many impactful changes are in motion, stakeholders express continued concerns about implementation timelines, provider and consumer uptake and operational hurdles slowing the effectiveness of the various initiatives under CalAIM. Join this panel for a solution-oriented conversation about how to navigate the complex CalAIM program and improve it for all stakeholders moving forward.

Selina Escobar: Director of Special Programs, Anthem Blue Cross

Ruben Imperial: Assistant Executive Officer, Stanislaus County

Al Rowlett, LCSW: President & Chief Executive Officer, Turning Point

Melora Simon, MPH: Associate Director, People-Centered Care, California Health Care Foundation (moderator)

The seamless and confidential sharing of health data is crucial in improving the health of Californians. Particularly as more providers prepare to implement value-based care models, access to patients’ comprehensive health data is critical. This panel will identify the remaining obstacles in achieving seamless data interconnectivity and how it will intersect with value-based payments.

Tara Brickey: Business Change Director, Anthem Blue Cross

Timi Leslie: President, BluePath Health and Executive Director, Connecting for Better Health

Trey Sutten: Chief Executive Officer, Siftwell

Carter Kimble: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

Ensuring there is an adequate number of paraprofessionals in the healthcare system is equally as important as doing so for traditional healthcare providers. How can the Northern California region grow and maintain home-based care providers, student nurses, and other paraprofessionals for patients in need? This panel of experts will explore the most promising strategies for supporting the paraprofessional workforce moving forward.

Genelle Cazares: Chief Executive Officer, El Hogar Community Services

Hovik Khosrovian: Senior Policy Advisor, Health Workforce Development, California Department of Health Care Access & Information

Renita Polk: Assistant Director, Office of the Direct Care Workforce, California Department of Aging

Noel Vargas: Deputy Director, Primary Health Services, Department of Health Services Sacramento County

Gelmy Ruiz: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The overall health of California children remains a top priority for state health leaders, particularly as the comprehensive Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative has been implemented. This panel will discuss how to continue improving the health and welfare of California youth.

Palav Babaria, MD, MHS: Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management, California Department of Health Care Services 

Julie Gallelo: Executive Director, First Five

Mike Odeh: Senior Director of Health, Children Now

Nancy Wongvipat Kalev, MPH: Senior Director of Systems of Care, Health Net

Christina Altmayer: Senior Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates (moderator)

California is in the process of implementing Medi-Cal services for the justice-involved population after becoming the first state in the country to approve these services in 2023. What does the implementation process look like, and what work remains? This panel will discuss the work that goes into building this new system of care for the justice-involved population.

Brandy Gadino: Behavioral Health Market Director, Carelon Behavioral Health

Moira Kenney, PhD: Business Solutions Architect, Unite Us

Valerie Martinez: Chief Health Equity Officer, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan

Renee Smith, LCSW: Program & Services Manager, Solano County Sheriff’s Office

Rebekah Kharrazi: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

The California health sector is focused on providing comprehensive behavioral health access to all individuals through both the public and private sector. This panel will evaluate the progress the state has made over the past few years and examine what still needs to be done to make quality behavioral healthcare accessible for all Californians.

Michelle Doty Cabrera: Executive Director, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California

Stesha Hodges: Assistant Chief Counsel; Chief of Health Equity and Access Office, California Department of Insurance

Ryan Quist, PhD: Director, Behavioral Health Services, Sacramento County

Don Novo: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

There’s a lot to track in this year’s legislative session, so we’ve brought together some of the leading experts in healthcare policymaking in Sacramento. Attend this panel for an informative discussion about some of the most significant health-related legislation being taken up by state lawmakers this year, and what to be on the lookout for as the session progresses.

Nick Louizos: Senior Vice President, California Association of Health Plans

David Panush: President, California Health Policy Strategies

Kassy Perry: President & Chief Executive Officer, Perry Communications

Elvia Delgado, MBA: Principal, Health Management Associates (moderator)

It’s an honor to welcome Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg for our Closing Keynote. Don’t miss out on this unique session, where Steinberg will offer his thoughts on a range of healthcare issues impacting the Northern California region from his perspective as mayor.

Darrell Steinberg: Mayor, City of Sacramento

Please join us following the Closing Keynote for a Networking Reception, sponsored by Health Net. 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.