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Conferences

2024 State Issues Retreat

Dates:: Sep 23 - 24, 2024
Location:: Nashville, TN

Connect with leaders from coast-to-coast who are working to make health care better, equitable, and affordable for all Americans. Attendance is limited to AHIP health insurance provider members, AHIP retained counsels, and state trade association executives.

Register Online

Agenda

8:00 am - 5:30 pm Sep 24 • 2024

8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Registration and Information Desk Open

Lobby, Level 1

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Continental Breakfast

Room 106, Level 1

9:00 am – 10:30 am

General Sessions

9:00 am – 9:45 am, Room 106, Level 1
A Look Back to Prepare for the Future
,
This session will provide an environmental scan of key health insurance trends. Laying the groundwork for a day of exciting sessions, this interactive conversation will provide an understanding of how trends are intersecting in the states, in DC and the courts, all aimed to strengthen our 2025 advocacy to ensure access to affordable health care.
- Learn more about Sohini Gupta, JD
  
  Sohini Gupta, JD
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Innovations
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Kris Hathaway
  
  Kris Hathaway
  ,
  Vice President, State Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Tom Palumbo
  
  Tom Palumbo
  ,
  Counsel
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Jeanette Thornton
  
  Jeanette Thornton
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Policy & Strategy
  , AHIP
9:45 am – 10:30 am, Room 106, Level 1
What Does Affordability Mean to You?
,
In this session, we will look at state efforts to improve affordability and examine what’s worked, what hasn’t worked, what’s challenging, and what’s on the horizon. We will also discuss health plans’ proposals to make the underlying price of health care services and medications more affordable.
- Learn more about Rosemary Englert
  
  Rosemary Englert
  ,
  Senior Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Nick Louizos
  
  Nick Louizos
  ,
  Senior Vice President
  , California Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Wardell Sanders, JD
  
  Wardell Sanders, JD
  ,
  President
  , New Jersey Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Karlee Tebbutt
  
  Karlee Tebbutt
  ,
  Regional Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP

10:30 am – 11:00 am

Coffee Break

Room 106, Level 1

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

General Session

, Room 106, Level 1
2024 AI State Activity and What to Expect in 2025
,
Hands-on experts review and compare two leading AI bills, their policy implications, and their outcomes and futures.
- Learn more about Melissa Biggs
  
  Melissa Biggs
  ,
  Partner, DNB Lobby, and AHIP Retained Counsel, Connecticut
  ,
- Learn more about Samantha Burch
  
  Samantha Burch
  ,
  Vice President, Technology Public Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Jamie Dudensing
  
  Jamie Dudensing
  ,
  CEO
  , Texas Association of Health Plans (TAHP)

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

General Luncheon Session

, Room 106, Level 1
Elections, Politics and Health Care
,
Political experts will assess both the national and state elections and their impact on health care policy.
- Learn more about Lee Cowen
  
  Lee Cowen
  ,
  President
  , Cowen Consulting Group
- Learn more about Aron Griffin
  
  Aron Griffin
  ,
  Senior Vice President, Federal Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Lucas Nesse
  
  Lucas Nesse
  ,
  President & CEO
  , Minnesota Council of Health Plans

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm

Break

Room 106, Level 1

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

General Session

, Room 106, Level 1
Prior Authorization: Reducing Low-Value, Inappropriate Services & Improving Health Care Affordability
,
Prior authorization helps ensure that patients receive safe, evidence-based care, and that coverage is as affordable as possible. While health plans are working to further simplify and improve prior authorization, some provider-driven advocacy groups and others are lobbying to restrict or eliminate the use of this vital process. Explore current and emerging trends, challenges and opportunities related to state legislative efforts, and brainstorm effective strategies and proactive approaches to protecting this critical but much-maligned tool to reduce low-value and inappropriate services and improve health care affordability.
- Learn more about Matt Celentano
  
  Matt Celentano
  ,
  Executive Director, League of Life & Health Insurers of Maryland and AHIP Retained Counsel - Maryland
  ,
- Learn more about David Kennedy
  
  David Kennedy
  ,
  Deputy Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Andrew Kiefer
  
  Andrew Kiefer
  ,
  Vice President, State Government Affairs
  , Blue Shield of California
- Learn more about Steven Larrabee
  
  Steven Larrabee
  ,
  Senior Director, State Government Affairs
  , CVS Health
- Learn more about Jeanette Thornton
  
  Jeanette Thornton
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Policy & Strategy
  , AHIP

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Coffee Break

Room 106, Level 1

3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

General Sessions

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm, Room 106, Level 1
What Keeps You Up At Night?
,
During this session, we will engage with industry leaders on what keeps them up at night, including a discussion of emerging health care policy issues.
- Learn more about Stephen Foxley
  
  Stephen Foxley
  ,
  Vice President, State Affairs
  , Cambia Health Solutions
- Learn more about Travis Garrison
  
  Travis Garrison
  ,
  Director, Corporate Affairs
  , Humana
- Learn more about Sarah Lynn Geiger, MPA
  
  Sarah Lynn Geiger, MPA
  ,
  Regional Director, State Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Marc Reece
  
  Marc Reece
  ,
  Director, Public Policy
  , CVS Health
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm, Room 106, Level 1
Building Successful Public Affairs Campaigns
,
Americans want and deserve access to affordable, high quality health care. Hear from seasoned public affairs experts on how to build educational and grassroots initiatives for consumers and health care stakeholders to stay informed and engaged on the latest state developments affecting their health care coverage.
- Learn more about Chris Bond
  
  Chris Bond
  ,
  Senior Vice President, Communications
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Mary Ellen Grant
  
  Mary Ellen Grant
  ,
  Vice President, Communications
  , California Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Connie Partoyan
  
  Connie Partoyan
  ,
  Executive Director
  , Better Solutions
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Room 106, Level 1
Protecting Preemption and Engaging Allies
,
State policymakers continue to advance efforts to pierce longstanding federal preemption protections in the legislative, regulatory and legal arenas. This session will examine the landscape on ERISA and Part D preemption issues and how they are evolving in the states.  Speakers will share insights and explore opportunities to collaborate with aligned allies within the states, including with business interests and state and national groups.
- Learn more about Michael Curcio
  
  Michael Curcio
  ,
  former TN state legislator; Broker, Benefits, Inc.; and Chairman
  , Tennessee Employer Benefits Alliance
- Learn more about Katy Johnson
  
  Katy Johnson
  ,
  Senior Counsel, Health Policy
  , American Benefits Council (ABC)
- Learn more about Eric Linzer
  
  Eric Linzer
  ,
  President & CEO
  , New York Health Plan Association
- Learn more about Mara Osman
  
  Mara Osman
  ,
  Senior Regional Director, State Affairs
  , AHIP

5:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Conference Adjourns

Agenda Filters

- Registration and Information Desk Open
- Continental Breakfast
- General Sessions
- Coffee Break
- General Session
- General Luncheon Session
- Break
- Conference Adjourns

8:00 am – 4:30 pm

, Registration and Information Desk Open

Lobby, Level 1

8:00 am – 9:00 am

, Continental Breakfast

Room 106, Level 1

9:00 am – 10:30 am

, General Sessions

9:00 am – 9:45 am, Room 106, Level 1
A Look Back to Prepare for the Future
,
This session will provide an environmental scan of key health insurance trends. Laying the groundwork for a day of exciting sessions, this interactive conversation will provide an understanding of how trends are intersecting in the states, in DC and the courts, all aimed to strengthen our 2025 advocacy to ensure access to affordable health care.
- Learn more about Sohini Gupta, JD
  
  Sohini Gupta, JD
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Innovations
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Kris Hathaway
  
  Kris Hathaway
  ,
  Vice President, State Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Tom Palumbo
  
  Tom Palumbo
  ,
  Counsel
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Jeanette Thornton
  
  Jeanette Thornton
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Policy & Strategy
  , AHIP
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn
9:45 am – 10:30 am, Room 106, Level 1
What Does Affordability Mean to You?
,
In this session, we will look at state efforts to improve affordability and examine what’s worked, what hasn’t worked, what’s challenging, and what’s on the horizon. We will also discuss health plans’ proposals to make the underlying price of health care services and medications more affordable.
- Learn more about Rosemary Englert
  
  Rosemary Englert
  ,
  Senior Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Nick Louizos
  
  Nick Louizos
  ,
  Senior Vice President
  , California Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Wardell Sanders, JD
  
  Wardell Sanders, JD
  ,
  President
  , New Jersey Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Karlee Tebbutt
  
  Karlee Tebbutt
  ,
  Regional Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

10:30 am – 11:00 am

, Coffee Break

Room 106, Level 1

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

, General Session

, Room 106, Level 1
2024 AI State Activity and What to Expect in 2025
,
Hands-on experts review and compare two leading AI bills, their policy implications, and their outcomes and futures.
- Learn more about Melissa Biggs
  
  Melissa Biggs
  ,
  Partner, DNB Lobby, and AHIP Retained Counsel, Connecticut
  ,
- Learn more about Samantha Burch
  
  Samantha Burch
  ,
  Vice President, Technology Public Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Jamie Dudensing
  
  Jamie Dudensing
  ,
  CEO
  , Texas Association of Health Plans (TAHP)
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

, General Luncheon Session

, Room 106, Level 1
Elections, Politics and Health Care
,
Political experts will assess both the national and state elections and their impact on health care policy.
- Learn more about Lee Cowen
  
  Lee Cowen
  ,
  President
  , Cowen Consulting Group
- Learn more about Aron Griffin
  
  Aron Griffin
  ,
  Senior Vice President, Federal Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Lucas Nesse
  
  Lucas Nesse
  ,
  President & CEO
  , Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm

, Break

Room 106, Level 1

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

, General Session

, Room 106, Level 1
Prior Authorization: Reducing Low-Value, Inappropriate Services & Improving Health Care Affordability
,
Prior authorization helps ensure that patients receive safe, evidence-based care, and that coverage is as affordable as possible. While health plans are working to further simplify and improve prior authorization, some provider-driven advocacy groups and others are lobbying to restrict or eliminate the use of this vital process. Explore current and emerging trends, challenges and opportunities related to state legislative efforts, and brainstorm effective strategies and proactive approaches to protecting this critical but much-maligned tool to reduce low-value and inappropriate services and improve health care affordability.
- Learn more about Matt Celentano
  
  Matt Celentano
  ,
  Executive Director, League of Life & Health Insurers of Maryland and AHIP Retained Counsel - Maryland
  ,
- Learn more about David Kennedy
  
  David Kennedy
  ,
  Deputy Director, State Affairs & Policy
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Andrew Kiefer
  
  Andrew Kiefer
  ,
  Vice President, State Government Affairs
  , Blue Shield of California
- Learn more about Steven Larrabee
  
  Steven Larrabee
  ,
  Senior Director, State Government Affairs
  , CVS Health
- Learn more about Jeanette Thornton
  
  Jeanette Thornton
  ,
  Executive Vice President, Policy & Strategy
  , AHIP
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

, Coffee Break

Room 106, Level 1

3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

, General Sessions

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm, Room 106, Level 1
What Keeps You Up At Night?
,
During this session, we will engage with industry leaders on what keeps them up at night, including a discussion of emerging health care policy issues.
- Learn more about Stephen Foxley
  
  Stephen Foxley
  ,
  Vice President, State Affairs
  , Cambia Health Solutions
- Learn more about Travis Garrison
  
  Travis Garrison
  ,
  Director, Corporate Affairs
  , Humana
- Learn more about Sarah Lynn Geiger, MPA
  
  Sarah Lynn Geiger, MPA
  ,
  Regional Director, State Affairs
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Marc Reece
  
  Marc Reece
  ,
  Director, Public Policy
  , CVS Health
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm, Room 106, Level 1
Building Successful Public Affairs Campaigns
,
Americans want and deserve access to affordable, high quality health care. Hear from seasoned public affairs experts on how to build educational and grassroots initiatives for consumers and health care stakeholders to stay informed and engaged on the latest state developments affecting their health care coverage.
- Learn more about Chris Bond
  
  Chris Bond
  ,
  Senior Vice President, Communications
  , AHIP
- Learn more about Mary Ellen Grant
  
  Mary Ellen Grant
  ,
  Vice President, Communications
  , California Association of Health Plans
- Learn more about Connie Partoyan
  
  Connie Partoyan
  ,
  Executive Director
  , Better Solutions
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Room 106, Level 1
Protecting Preemption and Engaging Allies
,
State policymakers continue to advance efforts to pierce longstanding federal preemption protections in the legislative, regulatory and legal arenas. This session will examine the landscape on ERISA and Part D preemption issues and how they are evolving in the states.  Speakers will share insights and explore opportunities to collaborate with aligned allies within the states, including with business interests and state and national groups.
- Learn more about Michael Curcio
  
  Michael Curcio
  ,
  former TN state legislator; Broker, Benefits, Inc.; and Chairman
  , Tennessee Employer Benefits Alliance
- Learn more about Katy Johnson
  
  Katy Johnson
  ,
  Senior Counsel, Health Policy
  , American Benefits Council (ABC)
- Learn more about Eric Linzer
  
  Eric Linzer
  ,
  President & CEO
  , New York Health Plan Association
- Learn more about Mara Osman
  
  Mara Osman
  ,
  Senior Regional Director, State Affairs
  , AHIP
Share options

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

5:30 pm – 5:30 pm

, Conference Adjourns