2024 Oregon 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.

Join us as we begin the conference with a conversation featuring two of Oregon’s leading healthcare lawmakers. Rep. Rob Nosse (D), the outgoing chair of the Interim Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, and Sen. Cedric Hayden (R), the Vice Chair of the Senate Interim Committee on Health Care, will discuss their work in the legislature to improve healthcare. Hear the policymakers’ remarks on recently passed legislation and bills they anticipate gaining traction in next year’s legislative session.

Sen. Cedric Hayden: Vice Chair, Senate Interim Committee on Health Care, Oregon Senate

Rep. Rob Nosse: Chair, House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health & Health Care, Oregon House of Representatives

The legislative session is just around the corner and advocates, state agencies and organized interest groups are gearing up for a long session dedicated to forming the state’s budget for the next biennium. Join this panel of Salem insiders to discuss what to expect for health policy during the 2025 legislative session.  

Dan Cushing: Government Affairs Director, Yamhill Community Care

Sean Kolmer: Executive Vice President, External Affairs, Hospital Association of Oregon

Jennifer Stoll: Chief External Affairs Officer, OCHIN

Moderator: Katharine Weiss, MPA: Program Director, State of Reform

This panel of dynamic leaders will discuss the different forms of innovation and intervention being pursued through Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver. Panelists will discuss the promise of the waiver’s benefit to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) like housing and food security. Hear about exciting partnerships between Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and traditional healthcare providers that are utilizing the HRSN benefit to address the needs of Oregonians through comprehensive interventions. 

Alicia Ahn, MD: Medical Director for Medicare & Medicaid, Kaiser Permanente

Cara Kangas: Director of Partnerships, 211info

Leslie Neugebauer, OTR/L, MPH: Vice President of Community Health, Social Needs, & Health Equity, PacificSource

Moderator: Emma Sandoe, PhD, MPH: Medicaid Director, Oregon Health Authority

Join this panel as they discuss new advancements in healthcare technology. Experts will discuss how current technology is already helping to build a stronger healthcare system. Panelists will dig into emerging forms of technology like artificial intelligence and what policies might be needed to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of these technologies. The panel will also consider technology’s role in Oregon’s continued movement to value-based payment systems. 

Kirk Anderson: Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Regence BlueShield

Carla Jones: Network Director, Oregon Primary Care Association

Katie Keating: Vice President, Solutions Engineering, Unite Us

Sylvia Trujillo, MPP, JD: Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, OCHIN

Moderator: Liz Whitworth, MPH, CEMCR: Managing Director, Oregon Health Leadership Council

This panel will talk about the work being done to reduce prescription drug costs and make critical medications more accessible for patients. Panelists will talk through relevant legislation aimed at curbing these costs, the work of the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB), and more.

Shelley Bailey, MBA: Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Famlee Health; Chair, Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Joshua Free, PharmD, MBA: Founder & President, Nelco Advisory; Chair, Oregon Pharmacy Coalition

Rep. Rob Nosse: Chair, House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health & Health Care, Oregon House of Representatives

Moderator: Katharine Weiss, MPA: Program Director, State of Reform

This panel will discuss the innovative work happening in Oregon to support those moving in and out of incarceration. Oregon is one of nine states that have received approval from the federal government to provide healthcare coverage to people transitioning out of incarceration. Panelists will also discuss how behavioral health supports are crucial to developing a stable foundation for those transitioning out of jail. 

Taylor Dombek, PhD, LPC: Integrated Clinical Services Director, Umpqua Health

Tina Gonzales: Senior Program Director, Carelon Behavioral Health

Kimberly Hoover, PhD: Program Manager, Reentry Health Care, Oregon Health Authority

Tim Svenson: Executive Director, Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association

Moderator: Abigail Oswald, MPH: Associate Director, Partnership Development – Government, Unite Us

Oregon’s health sector has invested significant effort in recent years toward increasing equitable health outcomes for all individuals. Join this panel of experts for a discussion about the work that’s been done and how stakeholders can collaborate in new ways to ensure Oregonians’ access to essential healthcare is not limited by factors like race/ethnicity, housing, poverty, and more.

Richard Bruno, MD: Health Officer, Multnomah County

Maria Elena Castro, M.Ed., MBA: Health Equity Innovation & Implementation Unit Manager, Equity & Inclusion Division, Oregon Health Authority

Antonio Gisbert, PhD: Chief Petitioner, Measure 118, Oregon Rebate

Riikka Salonen, MA: Managing Director of Health Equity, BCT Partners

Trey Sutten, MBA: Chief Executive Officer, Siftwell

Moderator: Chris Senz, MA: Principal, Health Management Associates

During the next legislative session, state legislators will consider a robust bill addressing maternal and child health challenges, aptly named “Momnibus.”  Join this session to hear from leaders about the projected impact of the bill and other work being pursued in the state to improve maternal and child health. 

Dan Grigg: Chief Executive Officer, Wallowa Memorial Hospital

Sara Kennedy MD, MPH: President & Chief Executive Officer, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette

Rep. Lisa Reynolds, MD: Chair, House Interim Committee on Early Childhood & Human Services, Oregon House of Representatives

Moderator: Silke Akerson, MPH, CPM, LDM: Managing Director, Oregon Perinatal Collaborative

Join experts as they discuss how to continue to grow and maintain Oregon’s healthcare workforce. Experts will focus on the broader workforce continuum, starting with the work being done to encourage young people to pursue a healthcare career. Panelists will also discuss attraction and retention efforts by healthcare employers to maintain the current workforce. 

Jana Bitton, MPA: Executive Director, Oregon Center for Nursing

Robert Duehmig: Director, Oregon Office of Rural Health

Bryan Fix, MA, SHRM-SCP: Chief Human Resources Officer, Sky Lakes Hospital

Moderator: Jeanene Smith, MD, MPH: Principal, Health Management Associates

This panel will discuss the most promising strategies for improving Oregon’s behavioral health system, which is a key priority for Gov. Kotek’s administration. Join these leaders as they explore solutions to issues like the behavioral health workforce shortage and funding gaps. Panelists will also discuss the need for more substance use disorder (SUD) resources and SUD’s impact on the homeless population. 

Travis Gayles, MD, PhD: Chief Health Officer, Hazel Health

Heather Jefferis: Executive Director, Oregon Council for Behavioral Health

Andrew Mendenhall, MD: President & Chief Executive Officer, Central City Concern

Moderator: Lilia Teninty: Principal, Health Management Associates

Join Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) leaders and other Medicaid experts for a conversation about the challenges and lessons learned from recent experiences with the CCO model. With the next CCO procurement on the horizon, panelists will talk through how to apply best practices to future CCO work and maximize their effectiveness. Speakers will also discuss upcoming potential refinements to the CCO model that might be seen in the next legislative session. 

Eric C. Hunter: President & Chief Executive Officer, CareOregon

Max Janasik: Chief Executive Officer, AllCare

Seamus McCarthy, PhD: President & Chief Executive Officer, Yamhill Community Care

Emma Sandoe, PhD, MPH: Medicaid Director, Oregon Health Authority

Moderator: Kathleen Nolan: Senior Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates

The conference will close with remarks from the new director of the Oregon Health Authority, Dr. Sejal Hathi. Wrap up the day’s conversations with us as we hear Dr. Hathi speak about OHA’s priorities, the department’s ongoing commitment to improving health equity in the state, and more. 

Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA: Director, Oregon Health Authority

Moderator: Kathleen Nolan: Senior Regional Vice President, Health Management Associates