2025 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference

We’re thrilled to be kicking off the conference with remarks from Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan. Grab a seat to hear Dr. Bagdasarian discuss her work under Gov. Whitmer’s administration to improve healthcare policy for Michiganders.

Natasha Bagdasarian, MD: Chief Medical Executive, State of Michigan

Join this group of experts as they discuss the Trump administration’s impact on Michigan healthcare and health policy. These experts will discuss what has already been done in the administration’s first few months as well as significant changes we might see in the future. Hear about topics like changes to HHS and CMS, the outlook for block grants, work waivers and ACA federal subsidies.  

Dominick Pallone: Executive Director, Michigan Association of Health Plans

Brian Peters: Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Moderator: Farah Hanley: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Michigan continues working to strengthen its behavioral health system, including through the growing role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and Health Homes. How can the state continue to strengthen and expand the CCBHC model to meet Michiganders’ behavioral health needs? Panelists will discuss the future of the CCBHC model and other state efforts—like the Innovations in Behavioral Health (IBH) grant and physical health integration—to fortify the behavioral health system. 

Juliana Harper: Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer, Easterseals MORC

Dana Lasenby, MA, LLP, MBA: Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Oakland Community Health Network

Lindsey Naeyaert, MPH: Service Delivery Transformation Section Manager, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Briana Jacob, MBA: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

Join us for an insightful discussion on the current state of maternal and child healthcare in Michigan, as experts explore the challenges and opportunities facing expectant mothers across the state. This panel will focus on payors’ role in improving women’s and children’s health. Speakers will discuss how health plans and other members of the health sector can address critical issues such as payment challenges and access to resources.  

Dawn Shanafelt, MPA, BSN, RN: Director, Maternal & Infant Health Division & Title V Maternal Health Child Program, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Marti Walsh, MD, MHSA, FACOG: Chief Medical Officer, Molina Healthcare of Michigan

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

Moderator: Linda Vail: Principal, Health Management Associates

Many Michiganders continue to face obstacles to accessing pharmacy services. This is especially true in rural and underserved communities, where people struggle to obtain timely and affordable medications. Speakers will discuss the role of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board as well as other initiatives’ promise for addressing the issue. 

Phillip Bergquist: Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Primary Care Association

Jacob Chaffee, PharmD: Director of Pharmacy, Priority Health

Patty Graham: Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan

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

Moderator: Jim McEvoy: Principal, Health Management Associates

Michigan has recently received approval through its 1115 Medicaid waiver to provide healthcare services to individuals who are leaving the carceral setting. This panel will delve into the details of the waiver, discuss how leaders are preparing to offer this significant service, and talk through the timeline for implementation. 

Julie Bylsma, RN: Co-Executive Director, Reentry Reimagined

Mark Contreras, DNP, NP-C: Medical Director, Catherine’s Health Center

Marti Kay Sherry: Health Services Administrator, Michigan Department of Corrections

Tyler Wise: Manager, Ambulatory & Institutional Benefit Section, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Rich VandenHeuvel: Principal, Health Management Associates

Michigan is piloting an innovative In Lieu of Services (ILOS) benefit to address Medicaid members’ health-related social needs (HRSNs). With factors like housing, food insecurity, and race/ethnicity impacting individuals’ access to healthcare, ILOS have the potential to greatly improve the health of vulnerable Michiganders. This panel will talk through the status of the ILOS program, how it will impact different areas of the health sector, and what to expect in the future. 

Karen Ostrowski: Director of Regulatory Affairs, Unite Us

Tiffany Stone: Deputy Director of Government Programs, Michigan Association of Health Plans

Jaffer Traish: Chief Operating Officer, Findhelp

Moderator: Monica Trevino: Director, Center for Social Change, Michigan Public Health Institute

Michigan is embarking on a major shift in how it serves individuals eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, transitioning from the MI Health Link program to a new, more integrated Dual-Eligible Managed Care (DEMC) structure. The change is set to take place on Jan. 1st, 2026. This panel will explore the nuances of this transition, including how it aims to improve care coordination, streamline services, and better meet the needs of Michigan’s dual-eligible population. 

Eric Doeh: Michigan Chief Executive Officer & Plan President, Humana

Jason Maciejewski: Chief Executive Officer, The Senior Alliance; Member, Michigan Community Care Collaborative

Mary Naber: Chief Executive Officer, PACE Southeast Michigan, Representing the PACE Programs in Michigan

Matt Seager, LMSW: Integrated Care Division Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Jackie Prokop: Associate Principal, Health Management Associates

Michigan has been significantly impacted by the opioid epidemic, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. This panel will examine the current state of the opioid crisis in Michigan and how recent opioid settlement dollars are being allocated to combat this public health emergency. Experts will discuss how these funds are being used to improve prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts across the state.

Amy Dolinky, MPPA: Technical Advisory, Opioid Settlement Funds Planning & Capacity Building, Michigan Association of Counties

Darlene D. Owens, MBA, LBSW, CADC, ADS: Vice President of Treatment Services, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

Cara Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM: Chair, Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission; Associate Professor, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Thomas Stallworth: Audit Committee Senior Advisor & Consultant, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Linda Vail: Principal, Health Management Associates

Leaders remain focused on strengthening the state’s support system for children’s mental health needs. Children continue to be underserved and outcomes are not where advocates and policymakers think they should be. The urgent need to address children in crisis who are not being appropriately served continues to be an ongoing challenge. Advocates will discuss the significance of the effort to address both mental health services and child welfare through current state initiatives and how this and other efforts can result in tangible improvements.  

Natalie Kasiborski, PhD, LMSW, MPH: Assistant Professor, Michigan State University; Consultant, School Community Health Alliance of Michigan

Sheila Marcus, MD: Clinical Professor, University of Michigan; Pediatric Medical Director, Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care (MC3)

Patricia Neitman, MS, LLP: Director, Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health, Policy, & Supports, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Lia Gaggino, MD, FAAP: Pediatric Consultant, Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care (MC3); Host, Pediatric Meltdown; Member, AAP Board of Directors representing MI, IN, OH and Ontario

Join this group of lawmakers as they discuss the state of healthcare in Michigan. Legislators will share their thoughts on the 2025 session and will discuss the impact of federal changes locally.   

Sen. Sarah Anthony: Chair, Democratic Caucus, Michigan Senate

Rep. Julie Brixie: State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives

Rep. Julie Rogers: State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives

Rep. John Roth: State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives

Rep. Greg VanWoerkom: State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives

Moderator: Farah Hanley: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, is our Closing Keynote speaker. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from the state’s chief regulatory executive about the health insurance landscape in Michigan and what Michigan’s health sector can expect from the agency heading into the future.

Anita Fox: Director, Michigan Department of Insurance & Financial Services