MHPA Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum 2026
March 17-19, 2026
Park Hyatt Washington, D.C.
MHPA’s premier Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum brings together a diverse group of Medicaid managed care professionals for two days of education, advocacy, and networking with policy experts, Members of Congress, and Administration officials. Gain insight into health care policy. Elevate federal legislative priorities. Collaborate with industry colleagues and guarantee that the policy interests of Medicaid and Medicaid managed care are represented in our nation’s capital. The Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum is for MHPA Health Plan Members and MHPA Partner Organizations only. The meetings on Capitol Hill are exclusively for MHPA Health Plan Members.
Agenda
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 12:00pm – 5:00pm | MHPA Board Meeting (invitation only) |
| 6:00pm – 7:30pm | PALF26 Welcome Reception |
| Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:30am – 8:30am | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30am – 9:00am |
Welcome to Washington (closed to press/off the record) With implementation of OBBBA in full swing, Medicaid remains a major focus for policymakers in our nation’s capital and across the country. Our industry has an incredible story to share with both parties about the value we deliver to states and the Medicaid enrollees we serve. Together, we can continue to influence both the legislative and regulatory process at both the federal and state levels. Speakers: Craig Kennedy, President and CEO, Medicaid Health Plans of America Catherine Anderson, Senior Vice President, Health Optimization Strategy, UnitedHealth Group Shannon Attanasio, SVP, Government Relations, Policy & Advocacy |
| 9:00am – 10:00am |
MHPA 2026 Policy Priorities Overview – Advocacy and HR 1 Implementation (closed to press/off the record) This panel features Senior MHPA Policy, Government Relations and Advocacy Staff, as well as MHPA Committee Leadership and will review MHPA’s key policy and advocacy priorities for 2026 and beyond. Speakers: Sean Garrity, MHPA, Director, Federal Affairs Stephanie Myers, MHPA, Director, State Affairs Nick Wilhelm, MHPA, Director, Regulatory Affairs Andrea Bennett, Executive Director, Public Policy at CVS Health/Aetna, and MHPA Policy and Regulatory Committee Vice Chair Steve Cozzo, Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs/Public Policy, AmeriHealth Caritas, and MHPA State Affairs Committee Chair Michelle Tranquilli, Associate Vice President, Government Affairs, Molina, and MHPA Congressional Affairs Committee Chair MC and Moderator: Shannon Attanasio, SVP, Government Relations, Policy and Advocacy |
| 10:00am – 10:30am | Refreshment Break |
| 10:30am – 11:15am |
Views from the Hill: Capitol Hill Majority Staff (closed to press/off the record) This panel features key senior Republican Capitol Hill staff from the Senate Finance Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversee the Medicaid program. The discussion will be structured as an off-the-record Q&A session, where staff will answer questions on Medicaid and managed care-related federal legislative activity we can expect in the lead up to the mid-term elections. Speakers: Anna Rose Moore, Senate Finance Committee, Senior Adviser, Health Policy (pending) Jonathan Kupperman, House Energy and Commerce, Professional Staff Member Moderator: Michelle Tranquilli, Associate Vice President, Government Affairs, Molina Healthcare |
| 11:15am – 12:45pm | Networking Lunch and Luncheon Speaker |
| 12:45pm – 1:45pm |
CMS/CMCS Priorities and OBBBA Update (closed to press/off the record) Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) for an off the record discussion of 2026 priorities, with special attention to status of OBBBA implementation. Speakers: Dan Brillman, Deputy Administrator and Director, CMCS MC/Moderator: Mitch Evans, National Vice President, Medicaid Strategy, Humana |
| 1:45pm – 2:00pm | Refreshment Break |
| 2:00pm – 2:45pm |
Views from the Hill: Capitol Hill Minority Staff (closed to press/off the record) This panel features key senior Democratic Capitol Hill staff from the Senate Finance Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversee the Medicaid program. The discussion will be structured as an off-the-record Q&A session, where staff will answer questions on Medicaid and managed care-related federal legislative activity we can expect in the lead up to the mid-term elections. Speakers Gayle Mauser, House Energy and Commerce Committee Marielle Kress, Senate Finance Committee Moderator: Rachel Pryor, Chief Growth Officer, Jefferson Health Plans |
| 2:45pm – 3:15pm | Refreshment Break |
| 3:15pm – 4:15pm |
Medicaid Director Discussion (closed to press/off the record) As states look to implement the provisions of OBBBA, state Medicaid agencies are on the front lines of ensuring those changes are successfully executed. This panel features Medicaid directors who will share their insights on how their states are handling the changes, including challenges, downstream impacts, opportunities, and how MCOs can help. Speakers: Melisa Byrd, Medicaid Director, DC Department of Health Care Finance Carlos A. Santiago-Rosario, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Medicaid Program MC/Moderator: Chris Priest, Regional Vice President, Medicaid Solutions, Centene |
| 4:15pm – 5:15pm |
Attendees going to Capitol Hill on Thursday: Capitol Hill Team Meetings Get to know your team and finalize your meeting-specific strategy – a well-prepared advocacy team will have the biggest impact in meetings with members of Congress and Congressional staff. Team Meeting Facilitators: Sean Garrity, MHPA, Director, Federal Affairs Stephanie Myers, Director, State Affairs Mariah Phillips, MHPA, Deputy Director, Federal Affairs Nick Wilhelm, MHPA, Director, Regulatory Affairs |
| 5:30pm – 6:30pm | Networking Reception |
| Thursday, March 19, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:30am – 8:45am |
Breakfast and “Fireside” Chat with Hemi Tewarson, Executive Director, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) (confirmed) MC and Moderator: Steve Cozzo, Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs/Public Policy, AmeriHealth Caritas |
| 8:45am – 9:30am |
State “Hot Topics” (closed to press/off the record) Impacts to OBBBA are already being felt by states. This panel will feature speakers who will talk about state impacts of OBBBA that are currently happening and are expected to go forward from various state perspectives. Speakers: Lindsey Browning, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) Shelby Kerns, Executive Director, National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) Kate Ross, Vice President of State Programs, California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) Moderator: Arif Shaikh, Senior Director, Medi-Cal Policy and Engagement, Kaiser Permanente |
| 9:30am – 9:45am | Refreshment Break |
| 9:45am – 10:45am |
Nerding Out: Medicaid Policy 201 – Decisions, Decisions, Decisions (closed to press/off the record) Ever wonder what goes into implementing what the Administration publishes through guidance, rulemaking, or state policymaking approvals? Or how does a state examine what policies the Administration may approve or deny based on guidance and early waiver requests and approvals? This session will take a dive into what states look at when determining policy changes to their program, and how it’s determined what needs to happen to implement those changes. Speaker: Mary Beth Musumeci, Teaching Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health Brendan Harris, President of UPMC for YOU and State Programs, UPMC Health Plan |
| 10:00am – 5:00pm |
Attendees going to Capitol Hill only: Capitol Hill Meetings with Members of Congress /Congressional Staff Lunch on your own |
| 10:45am – 11:00am | Refreshment Break |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm |
Health Care Reporter Panel Media coverage is a critical piece of advocacy and understanding what reporters want, as well as what they don’t, can help you leverage this conduit to national and state audiences. This panel will feature prominent health policy journalists and explore topics like “the biggest challenges in covering Medicaid managed care,” “establishing and maintaining reporter relationships,” and “tips for pitching stories.” The session will close with a live Q&A with the audience. Speakers: Paige Winfield Cunningham, Health Reporter, The Washington Post Dorothy Mills-Gregg, Medicare and Medicaid Reporter, Inside Health Policy Moderator: Marni Gootzit, Vice President, Communications, MHPA MC: Mildred Menos, Director, Medicaid Product Administration, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
Networking Lunch (for attendees not going to Hill) Speaker: Craig Kennedy, President and CEO, MHPA |
Registration
Registration is now OPEN!
The MHPA Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum is open to MHPA Health Plan Members, MHPA State Health Plan Affiliates, and MHPA Partner Organizations only.
Online registration will close on March 12, 2026.
Need Approval to Attend?
Securing budget for professional development is critical, especially when the legislative landscape is shifting. Attendance at the Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum is a strategic investment in your organization's ability to navigate OBBBA implementation and federal policy changes in 2026.
We have prepared a customizable justification letter to help you articulate the ROI of attending. It highlights the exclusive, off-the-record access to Capitol Hill staff, CMS officials, and industry experts that you can only get at the Policy & Advocacy Leadership Forum.
MHPA Health Plan Members
- The registration fee includes admission to the Forum sessions, two (2) breakfasts, two (2) lunches, refreshment breaks, and receptions.
MHPA State Health Plan Affiliates
- The registration fee includes admission to the Forum sessions, two (2) breakfasts, two (2) lunches, refreshment breaks, and receptions.
MHPA Partner Organizations
- The registration fee includes admission to the Forum sessions, two (2) breakfasts, two (2) lunches, refreshment breaks, and receptions.
Registration is available online only and payment must be made at the time of registration. Payments are processed through a secure server. Currently, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.
Registration confirmation emails are sent after registrations are processed. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours, please notify Cindy Martin, cmartin@mhpa.org.
Hill Day Participation
Any MHPA health plan members that wish to participate in Hill Day, please notify MHPA by March 6, 2026.
Cancellation Policy
Registration fees are fully refundable if cancelled in writing by Friday, February 27, 2026. No refunds will be issued after February 27. Registration name substitutions will be permitted.
Online registration closes Thursday, March 12, 2026. After this date, please register onsite at the meeting.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding registration or cancellation, please contact Cindy Martin, MHPA Events Director at cmartin@mhpa.org or 202-857-5772.
Hotel
The Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. contracted room block is closed.
The Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. hotel room block deadline has passed and discounted rooms are no longer available. If you booked a room at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. and need to make changes to your existing hotel reservation, please refer to the information in your hotel confirmation. As a reminder, Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. hotel room cancellations must be made no later than 48 hours prior to 11:59pm local time on the day of arrival to avoid a charge of one night's room and tax.
If you still need to secure a hotel reservation, please click HERE to be redirected to our trusted partner aRes Travel.
aRes Travel is our third-party travel partner. Rates, deposit and cancellation policies may vary and are the sole responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on the aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or the hotel directly.
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