September 3, 2025
Spokane Convention Center
2025 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference
RegisterConference Overview
The 2025 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference will once again be taking place in-person on September 3rd, 2025 at the Spokane Convention Center!
Managing constant change in healthcare takes more than just hard work. It takes a solid understanding of the legislative process and knowledge about intricacies of the healthcare system. That’s where State of Reform comes in.
State of Reform pulls together practitioners, thought leaders, and policymakers – each working to improve the healthcare system in their own way – into a unified conversation in a single place. It is sure to be one of the most diverse statewide gatherings of senior healthcare leaders, and one of the most important events in the region.
Join the conversation with other healthcare executives, and help shape reform on September 3rd, 2025! If you have any questions, please feel free to drop us a line!
Topical Agenda
Here is the agenda for the 2025 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference. This represents input from hours of conversations with our Advisory Panel and stakeholders across the spectrum of Inland Northwest 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 haven’t already, you can register here.
Please note that all agenda times are local.
Registration/Networking Breakfast
Opening Plenary: What Federal Health Policy Changes Mean for Inland Northwest Washington
Jane Beyer: Senior Health Policy Advisor, Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Shirley Prasad: Director of Government Affairs, Washington Health Benefit Exchange
Vanessa Saavedra: Senior Attorney, Northwest Health Law Advocates
Cassie Sauer: Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Hospital Association
Moderator: Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates
Improving Prescription Drug Access: Prior Authorization, PBMs, & More
An Update on Crisis Response Efforts in the Inland Northwest
Improving the Health of Tribal Populations in Washington State
Supporting Rural Healthcare in a Changing Environment: Access, Workforce, & More
Examining the Growing Role of Artificial Intelligence in Washington State Healthcare
Achieving Behavioral Health Parity Through Public-Private Collaboration
Networking Lunch
Improving Complex Discharge in the Inland Northwest
Innovating Integrated Care: Washington State’s Approach for Dual-Eligible Populations
Closing Plenary: State Lawmakers Discuss Health Policy
Sen. Marcus Riccelli: Majority Floor Leader, Washington State Senate
Caitlin Safford, MHA: Senior Health Policy Advisor, Washington State Office of Governor Bob Ferguson
Rep. Joe Schmick: Ranking Minority Member, Health Care & Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives
Moderator: Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates
Event Sponsors
Major Sponsors
Track Sponsors
Exhibitor Sponsors
Want to sponsor an upcoming conference?
See Sponsorship DetailsRegistration/Networking Breakfast
Opening Plenary: What Federal Health Policy Changes Mean for Inland Northwest Washington
As federal health policy continues to evolve under the Trump Administration, rural health systems across Washington State are bracing for potential changes that could reshape healthcare. This panel will examine the implications of key policy shifts—from Medicaid waivers and eligibility changes to prescription drug pricing and regulatory rollbacks—and how they uniquely affect rural providers, patients, and communities. Panelists will also explore the growing influence of the federal courts in shaping health policy, with recent legal battles over the Affordable Care Act, preventive care mandates, and reproductive health access carrying high stakes for rural health systems already operating on the margins.
Jane Beyer: Senior Health Policy Advisor, Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Shirley Prasad: Director of Government Affairs, Washington Health Benefit Exchange
Vanessa Saavedra: Senior Attorney, Northwest Health Law Advocates
Cassie Sauer: Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Hospital Association
Moderator: Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates
Improving Prescription Drug Access: The 340B Program, Prior Authorization, & More
This panel will discuss the work being done to increase access to prescription drugs for patients. Speakers will discuss how to address barriers to medication access including work to reform the prior authorization process, legislation aiming to regulate pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, and how to make high-cost drugs more affordable for patients who need them.
Jenny Arnold, PharmD: Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Pharmacists Association
Nico Janssen, MPA: Senior Health Policy Analyst, Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Justin Weiss, PharmD: Vice President, Pharmacy Operations and Compliance, Cambia Health Solutions
Moderator: Lisa Nelson, PharmD: Chief Pharmacy Officer, Unity Care Northwest
An Update on Crisis Response Efforts in Inland Northwest
Washington State has made significant strides in reimagining behavioral health crisis response—especially in rural and underserved regions like the Inland Northwest. This panel will provide a timely update on the current state of the 988 Lifeline implementation and expansion of behavioral health crisis response services. Speakers will examine work to implement 988 and the role of Regional Crisis Lines, as well as the transformative role of Washington’s mobile crisis response teams who are trained to de-escalate mental health emergencies and provide coordination of post-crisis stabilization services. The discussion will explore the challenges of rural coverage, crisis response models for serving Tribal communities, and the opportunities for continued investment in prevention and the broader behavioral health system.
Rep. Tom Dent: State Representative, 13th District, Washington House of Representatives
Justin Johnson, LICSW, MHP: Director, Spokane County Community Services & Spokane County Regional Behavioral Health
Jan Tokumoto Downing, M.Ed, LMHC, DCR: Chief Operating Officer, Frontier Behavioral Health
Moderator: Luke Waggoner, MA, MHP: Involuntary Treatment & Crisis System Supervisor, Washington State Healthcare Authority
Improving the Health of Tribal Populations in Washington State
This panel will explore the unique strengths and challenges of tribal healthcare delivery in rural Washington, with a focus on the critical role Medicaid plays in supporting services and infrastructure. Panelists will discuss the complexities of Medicaid reimbursement for tribal providers, opportunities for policy alignment with tribal sovereignty, and innovative approaches tribes are taking to integrate behavioral health, primary care, and traditional healing practices. The conversation will also address ongoing barriers—including workforce shortages, transportation gaps, and administrative burdens—that disproportionately impact rural tribal health systems.
Jerry Crowshoe, MA: Director of Programs & Student Services, Washington State University Native American Health Sciences Program
Amanda Gorman-Bahe, Diné: Program Director, Tribal Affairs, Molina Healthcare of Washington
Rene Ramirez: Manager; Healing Spirit Clinic Opioid Treatment Program Sponsor, Lummi Nation Health Engagement Hub
Moderator: Chris Senz: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates
Supporting Rural Healthcare in a Changing Environment: Access, Workforce, & More
Access to healthcare in rural communities is facing growing challenges that will be exacerbated by new federal policies. This includes challenges relating to the rural healthcare workforce. Join this panel to hear about new models of care and potential strategies for supporting healthcare access in Washington’s rural communities.
Jac Davies, MS, MPH: Contracted Director of Member Programs, The Rural Collaborative
Dave Iverson: President & Chief Executive Officer, Healthy Ferry County Coalition
Tracy Wellington, MN, RN: Senior Director, Clinical Excellence & Rural Programs, Washington State Hospital Association
Moderator: David DiGiuseppe: Principal, Health Management Associates
Examining the Growing Role of Artificial Intelligence in Washington State Healthcare
In the Inland Northwest region, providers and health systems are beginning to harness artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and address persistent challenges unique to rural and underserved communities. This panel will explore the emerging role of AI across the regional healthcare landscape, from predictive analytics and diagnostic support to administrative automation and workforce augmentation. Panelists will discuss how rural providers are leveraging AI to overcome barriers while also addressing ethical considerations around equity, data privacy, and algorithmic bias.
Rob Arnold: Executive Director & Co-Founder, HCP OneHealthPort
Justin Gill, DNP, RN, ARNP: President, Washington State Nurses Association
Adrian M. Mayers, Dr.B.A: Chief Information Security Officer, Premera
Moderator: David Schoolcraft: Partner, Ogden Murphy Wallace P.L.L.C.
Achieving Behavioral Health Parity Through Public-Private Collaboration
Washington State is taking bold steps to ensure behavioral health parity by aligning public and private insurance systems to provide equitable access to behavioral healthcare. This panel will explore how the state is enforcing behavioral health parity laws, including the Mental Health Parity Act, and advancing legislation such as House Bill 1432 to standardize medical necessity criteria across insurers. Panelists will discuss efforts to integrate Medicaid with private coverage to streamline access, reduce disparities, and enhance transparency.
Jane Beyer: Senior Health Policy Advisor, Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Cara Cheevers, MSW: Vice President of Coverage Policy, Inseparable
Kelli Miller, MPA: Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Behavioral Health
Moderator: Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates
Networking Lunch
Improving Complex Discharge in the Inland Northwest
Across the state individuals with a range of medical, behavioral, social or long-term care needs are ready for discharge from acute care hospitals, but a range of system barriers block their transition into post-acute care or community settings. Some individuals remain in hospitals for weeks, months, or even years longer than necessary. Over the last two years, the Complex Discharge Task Force supported a pilot program to test a model of care focused on care transitions for Medicaid enrollees with multiple complex needs and engaged a broad range of system partners to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues and recommendations that address underlying systemic barriers to discharge. This panel will share insights from this work and some identified next steps, with a focus on specific issues for rural and Tribal communities.
Erin Doss, MBA, CNHA: Administrator, Queen Anne Healthcare
Kelli Emans: Senior Strategic Integration Advisor, Aging & Long Term Support Administration, Washington State Department of Health & Human Services
Madeline Grant: Chief Administrative Officer, Harborview Medical Center, UW Medicine
Caitlin Safford, MHA: Senior Policy Advisor, Public Health, Healthcare & Behavioral Health, Washington State Office of Governor Bob Ferguson
Moderator: Kathleen Nolan, MPH: Senior Advisor, Health Management Associates
Innovating Integrated Care: Washington State’s Approach for Dual-Eligible Populations
Washington State is leading the way in transforming care for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. This panel will explore how the state is improving care coordination, streamlining benefits, and addressing social determinants of health through integrated models and strategic partnerships.
Gabriel Ayerza: Vice President of Medicare Programs, Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Lynn Kimball: Executive Director, Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Mary Munjua, MD: Director of Care, Bridging Care
Moderator: Dara Smith: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates
Closing Plenary: State Lawmakers Discuss Health Policy
Hear from some of the most influential leaders on health policy reform in the Washington State Legislature. These lawmakers will discuss the main takeaways from this year’s session, legislation they’re supporting, and the healthcare reform work they’re prioritizing moving forward.
Sen. Marcus Riccelli: Majority Floor Leader, Washington State Senate
Caitlin Safford, MHA: Senior Health Policy Advisor, Washington State Office of Governor Bob Ferguson
Rep. Joe Schmick: Ranking Minority Member, Health Care & Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives
Moderator: Liz Arjun, MPH, MSW: Principal, Health Management Associates