2026 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference

We’re opening the day by hearing from two of Maryland’s top healthcare leaders, Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant and HSCRC Executive Director Jon Kromm. In a discussion moderated by Health Management Associates CEO Chuck Milligan, hear these leaders’ perspective on the state’s work to implement the AHEAD Model and overall efforts to improve access and affordability in Maryland.

Marie Grant: Insurance Commissioner, State of Maryland

Jon Kromm: Executive Director, Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission

Moderator: Chuck Milligan: Chief Executive Officer, Health Management Associates

This panel will explore Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program, with a focus on early implementation goals and funding priorities. Panelists will include state leaders responsible for administering the program, as well as health system and community leaders working in rural Maryland who will directly benefit from this investment. 

Heather Kirby: Vice President of Integrated Care Delivery & Chief Population Health Officer, Fredrick Health

Elizabeth Kromm, PhD: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Megan Priolo: Executive Director, Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for Our Patients (CRISP)

Moderator: Sarah Boateng, MHA: Principal, Health Management Associates

Artificial intelligence holds tremendous promise for improving care delivery and health equity — but realizing that potential requires navigating ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges. This panel will bring together healthcare leaders to move beyond the hype and share practical insights on responsible AI adoption, leaving attendees with concrete, actionable recommendations to advance their organization’s AI strategy.

Jill DeGraff: Chief Privacy & Regulatory Officer, b.well Connected Health

Kristy Fogle, MMS, PA-C: Clinical Director, LifeBridge Health – Center for Virtual Care

Rachel Gruner: Healthcare Lead, Microsoft AI

Peter Morrison, MPH, MA: Head of Growth & SVP of Strategy, Pair Team

Moderator: Brandon Greife, JD: Principal, Health Management Associates

Panelists will discuss their outlook for the implementation of the AHEAD model in Maryland. They will offer their thoughts on the challenges associated with the AHEAD model and the unique opportunities this offers to payers, providers, and patients. Panelists will discuss topics such as Medicare Advantage enrollment, hospital and physician payment rates, access to care, cost shifting, and patient cost sharing.

Aneena Azel: Executive Director, Strategic Payor Initiatives, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Gene Ransom: Chief Executive Officer, MedChi

Kimberly Robinson: Vice President, Government Affairs, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Allison Taylor: Head of Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente

Moderator: Amy Bassano: Managing Director, Medicare, Health Management Associates

This panel will present (1) how Maryland is investing in new partnerships, infrastructure, programs and resources to increase access to and demand for healthy food in hunger “hot spots”, (2) the vision for community impact, and (3) opportunities to support these efforts to decrease nutrition related conditions that drive disparities in health outcomes.

Brad Fallon: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Meg Kimmel: President and Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Food Bank

Elizabeth Kromm, PhD: Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Moderator: Jean Glossa, MD, MBA, FACP: Vice President, Cilent Solutions, Health Management Associates

*More details coming soon*

Donnica Fife-Stallworth: Program Manager, B’more for Healthy Babies

Del. Jennifer White: Member, Health Committee, Maryland House of Delegates

Shondelle Wilson-Frederick: Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities at the Maryland Department of Health

Moderator: Reem Sharaf: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

*More details coming soon*

Helen Fitzpatrick: Vice President of State Government Affairs, AbbVie

Andrea Noda: Vice President of Health Care – Drug Policy, Arnold Ventures

Ranier Simons: Patient-Centered Drug Pricing Policy Director, Community Access National Network

Andy York: Executive Director, Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Moderator: Ben Shand: Vice President, Client Partnership, Health Management Associates

The Baltimore Comprehensive Overdose Response to End the Epidemic, or BCORE, is a city-wide collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the city of Baltimore, and community-based organizations with the aim of preventing overdose deaths. BCORE is designed to engage people with substance use disorder at key points of crisis response and emergency care to provide them with access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connect them to long-term supportive care and services. This panel will include an overview of the BCORE project and a discussion of the progress, outcomes, and lessons learned to date. 

Dan Gingold: Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Martha Jurczak, MFA: Assistant Dean for Business and Economic Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Gabby Knighton: Vice President, Operations & Innovation, People Encouraging People

Eric Weintraub, MD: Professor of Psychiatry; Division Head, Alcohol & Drug Abuse; Acting Division Head, Adult Psychiatry; Associate Director at the Kahlert Institute for Addition Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Sara Whaley: Executive Director of Overdose Response, City of Baltimore

Moderator: Anika Alvanzo, MD, MS, DFASAM, FACP: Principal Health Management Associates

Maryland is investing significantly in efforts to develop, recruit, and retain a strong health care workforce, most recently making workforce development Pilar 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Program. This panel will explore the programs expanding under the RHTP as well as workforce development across the state. 

Katherine Jacobson, MD, FAAFP: Program Director, Maryland Area Health Education Center

David Lehr: Chief Operating Officer, Meritus Medical School

Rachel Talley, MD: Acting Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Administration

Moderator: Madeleine Shea, PhD : Principal, Health Management Associates

This panel will examine practical, state‑level efforts to expand and sustain access to health insurance coverage, with a focus on maintaining continuity for people transitioning between Medicaid and the Marketplace and ensuring coverage remains affordable for individuals and families managing chronic conditions. Together, speakers will discuss what is working, where gaps remain, and how policymakers and implementers can strengthen coverage retention and affordability, particularly for populations most vulnerable to coverage loss. 

Perrie Briskin: Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Finance & Medicaid Director, Maryland Department of Health

Johanna Fabian-Marks: Deputy Executive Director, Maryland Health Benefit Exchange

Melissa Horn: Director of State Legislative Affairs, Arthritis Foundation

Moderator: Lina Rashid, MHM: Principal, Health Management Associates

This panel of behavioral health providers from across the state will talk about their strategies to engage persons at risk of entering local detention centers and persons exiting them, discussing strategies to ensure engagement and retention, the role of Medicaid and how serving this population has increased census, thus revenue and opportunities. The panel will review future opportunities in state and federal health policy that may present new options and revenue streams to serve this population.

Jennifer Alexander: Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland

Katie Dilley: Chief Executive Officer, Mid Shore Behavioral Health

Kevin Lindamood: Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare for the Homeless

Moderator: Debbi Witham: Principal, Health Management Associates

Maryland continues to face longstanding challenges in hospital discharge, including longer lengths of stay and limited statewide capacity. The panel will highlight how Maryland hospitals can address internal barriers—such as improving care‑team processes and strengthening discharge coordination—drawing on lessons from successful pilot models in other states that have demonstrated reduced readmissions and improved patient outcomes. The panel will hear from individuals working on Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission’s draft Readmission Reduction Incentive Program Policy.

Jennifer Bistrack, MPH, MS, RN: Post Acute Program Manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Natalie Daniel: Policy Director, Unite Us

Regina Figueroa: Executive Director, Keswick

Helen Hash: Director of Care Management, University of Maryland Medical Center

Kai Shea: Executive Director, Care Management, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Moderator: Dari Pogach, JD: Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates

This panel will explore the evolving landscape of Medicare expansion in Maryland, with a focus on how federal policy shifts and state-specific dynamics are reshaping plan strategy, revenue, and care delivery. The discussion will examine 2026 market dynamics, including tightening federal oversight, evolving Star Ratings and supplemental benefit expectations, and the continued shift toward operational discipline and transparency across Medicare Advantage organizations. The panel will also highlight the growing importance of dual integration strategies, as policymakers and plans seek to better align Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible populations.

Bethany McAleer: Chief Actuary, John Hopkins Healthcare

Mike Rapach: Senior Vice President, Government Programs, Carefirst

Moderator: Rachel Stewart: Senior Consulting Actuary, Health Management Associates

We’re closing the day by hearing from MDH Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. Leavitt Partners CEO Josh Trent will moderate this valuable discussion with Dr. Seshamani as she shares her perspective on the shifting federal policy landscape, current MDH initiatives, and various other topics discussed throughout the day.

Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD: Secretary, Maryland Department of Health

Moderator: Josh Trent: Chief Executive Officer, Leavitt Partners