2025 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Last October, Utah’s leading payers and hospital systems committed to building a healthcare system that is more affordable, higher-quality, and trusted. Join this panel of executives as they share how their organizations are working toward this goal, the biggest roadblocks they face, and the policy and market shifts that could accelerate progress toward a better healthcare system for all Utahns.

Gina Hawley: Chief Operations Officer, University of Utah Health

Rob Hitchcock: Chief Executive Officer, Select Health

Evan Ray: President, HCA Healthcare Mountain Division

Moderator: John Poelman: Director of Innovation, One Utah Health Collaborative

Join this discussion on the state of public health in Utah. Panelists will cover topics including population health, preventative health and immunization efforts in the state. Hear about how private and public partnership can build a more comprehensive public health system. The panel will also cover Utah’s innovative work to address declining colorectal screening rates, and how the approach of collaboration and coordination might scale to other initiatives. 

Carrie Butler, MPH, MPP: Executive Director, Utah Public Health Association

Brook Carlisle: Regional Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Leisha Nolen, MD, PhD: State Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health & Human Services

John Poelman: Director of Innovation, One Utah Health Collaborative

Moderator: Patricia Doxey: Associate Principal, Leavitt Partners

In 2024, the federal government approved Utah’s 1115 waiver request to expand Medicaid to adults leaving the jail system. Join this panel as they discuss the work being done to implement the waiver and the collaboration needed for it to go live in summer 2025.  

Rebecca Brown, LCSW: Deputy Executive Director, Utah Department of Corrections

Matt Dumont: Chief Deputy, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Shawn McMillen, MPA, ASUDC: Executive Director, First Step House

Jennifer Strohecker: Medicaid Director, Utah Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Mary Walter: Principal, Health Management Associates

Join this dynamic panel to hear about the state of insurance coverage in Utah. Hear from experts about current coverage gaps for Utahns both in the public and private insurance market. Panelists will discuss the impact the Utah Model of Care has had on enrollment and where things stand after last year’s Medicaid unwinding. Learn about potential future changes to enrollment under the new federal administration and whether increased insurance rates actually equate to increased access to care. 

Rachel Craig: Government Affairs Manager, Association for Utah Community Health

Maurice F. Hickey: Executive Director, Voices for Utah Children

Todd Wood: Medicaid & CHIP Program Director, Select Health

Moderator: Matt Slonaker, JD: Executive Director, Utah Health Policy Project

Much like the rest of the country, Utah is struggling to grow and maintain their healthcare workforce. The Utah Legislature recently conducted an audit on higher education to assess why higher education programs are losing students. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the outcome of that audit and what it means for students pursuing healthcare degrees. This panel will also discuss the role of community health workers and other overlooked provider types. 

Rich Saunders: Chief Executive Officer, Proxima Careers

Christian Sherwood, MA: Chief Human Resources Officer, University of Utah Health, Hospitals & Clinics

Oreta Masina Mapu-Tupola: Executive Director, Utah Community Health Worker Association

Moderator: Laura Summers, MPP: Director of Industry Research, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

In Utah, addressing the intersection of housing instability and food insecurity is becoming increasingly important for improving the health and well-being of vulnerable communities. This panel will explore how innovative housing support programs and the concept of “Food as Medicine” are working together to tackle these critical issues. By integrating stable housing with access to nutritious food, Utah is leading efforts to not only provide essential services but also to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance quality of life. Experts will also discuss how the new HRSN waiver will address these issues in innovative ways. 

Steve Brazeel: Chief Executive Officer, SunTerra Produce

Nicholas Fritz: Director of Place Based Investments, Intermountain Health

Carol Hollowell: Chief Executive Director, Switchpoint

Amy Locke, MD, FAAFP: Chief Wellness Officer, University of Utah Osher Center for Integrative Health

Moderator: Devon Schechinger: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

Utah faces pressing behavioral health challenges, from high suicide rates and increasing teen mental health concerns to the complex needs of individuals with serious mental illness. This panel brings together experts and policymakers to explore collaborative approaches and innovative solutions to address these critical issues. 

Lindsay Butrum, MPH: Policy Implementation & Grants Manager, The Policy Project

Dave Wilde: Assistant Office Director, Office of Substance Use & Mental Health, Utah Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Kevin Curtis, LCSW: Crisis Services Director, Huntsman Mental Health Institute

During lunch, we’re convening two high-ranking state health officials for a unique, moderated discussion about Utah’s healthcare landscape. Hear from Margaret Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, and Tracy Gruber, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health & Human Services, about their departments’ recent work to improve state healthcare and their outlook on key issues like licensure, healthcare access and more.

Margaret Busse: Executive Director, Utah Department of Commerce

Tracy Gruber: Executive Director, Utah Department of Health & Human Services

Moderator: Scott Pingree: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Access to healthcare data has never been more important. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the significance of healthcare data as it relates to artificial intelligence, interoperability,  and value-based payments. Panelists will dive into the status of data attainment in Utah and what improvements are needed to grow and protect data.  

Christopher Bramwell, MBA: Chief Privacy Officer, State of Utah

Kyle Lunt: Director of Data Systems & Evaluation, Utah Department of Health & Human Services

Jaffer Traish: Chief Operating Officer, Findhelp

Joshua Walker: Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, NOMI Health

Moderator: Spencer Morrison: Associate Principal, Leavitt Partners

A new federal administration was recently sworn in, and with it, new priorities for health policy. Join this unique session to hear experts discuss the potential changes to healthcare on the horizon under the Trump administration and which potential changes could impact Utah’s health policy. 

Laura Harker: Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

Mairi G. Leining, MD, MPH, FACP: Chief Executive Officer, The People’s Health Clinic

Moderator: David Lee: Principal, Leavitt Partners

Utah is a relatively young state, but as residents age it’s critical for the state’s health sector to ensure aging Utahns receive the care they need. This panel will provide insight on how Utah can improve care delivery and access for aging residents, bolster the workforce that cares for this population, and more. 

Chris Conklin: Government Strategy Lead, Unite Us

Alan Ormsby: State Director, AARP Utah

Mike Woodruff, MD: Executive Medical Director, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

Moderator: Rob Ence, MBA: Executive Director, Utah Commission on Aging; The Bateman Home Center of Excellence

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

Sen. J. Stuart Adams: President, Utah Senate

Rep. Steve Eliason: Member, Health & Human Services Committee, Utah House of Representatives

Sen. Luz Escamilla: Minority Leader, Utah State Senate

Sen. Jen Plumb: Minority Whip, Utah Senate

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

With half of rural facilities operating in the red and 30% at risk of closure, addressing the rural care crisis is a pressing issue for the nation, Utah, and for the many stakeholders invested in sustainable rural care.  This esteemed panel of providers, administrators, and experts will explore the challenges and the potential solutions to sustaining rural care – giving close consideration to the role of telehealth in enabling patients to receive care in their local community.  Panelists will share their perspectives on the prospects for rural care and paths to a healthier future.

Bill Beninati, MD: Chief Medical Officer, Air Medical Transport, Telehealth Command Center & Outreach

Brent James, MD, MStat: Clinical Professor, Clinical Excellence Research Center (CERC), Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine

Brent Schmidt: President, Intermountain Health Sevier Valley Hospital

Kasey Shakespear: Executive Director, Rural Health Association of Utah

Moderator: Rebecca Nielsen: Managing Director, Health Management Associates