2024 Health Policy Academy

Event Overview

• This in-person, invite-only event equipped Hill and federal agency staff who are newer in their careers, newer to their health policy portfolio, or those who just need a refresher with practical knowledge about fundamental facets of the health care system and the policymaking process.  
• Health Policy Academy included four panel sessions that feature speakers with experience working in and with federal policy institutions, including Congress and the executive branch. 
• This year’s sessions addressed a variety of health policy topics including health care financing, costs, and coverage, navigating the legislative process, the structure and function of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a deep dive into the Congressional Budget Office. 

This event was made possible with support from the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Agenda:

Networking Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET

Enjoy coffee, juice, light breakfast items, and time to connect with your colleagues. 

Introduction and Opening Remarks

9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. ET

Session #1: Health Care Coverage in the United States

9:40 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. ET

This panel provided a high-level overview of health care coverage programs in the United States, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and employer-based insurance. This briefing discussed the history of these programs, the beneficiaries, and how these programs interact with one another, and recent changes to coverage. 

Speakers

• Moderator: Rhett Buttle, MPP, Founder and Principal, Public Private Strategies
• Elizabeth Hall, Vice President, Public Policy and Issues Management, Elevance Health
• Robin Rudowitz, MPA, Vice President, Director of Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)
• Jonathan Jaffery, M.D., M.S., M.M.M., Chief Health Care Officer, American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)
• Loren Adler, M.S, Fellow and Associate Director, Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy

Break

10:55 a.m.- 11:05 a.m. ET

Session #2: Introduction to Congress and the Legislative Process

11:05 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. ET

This panel focused specifically on Congress and the legislative process, as well as the role of congressional staff and committees, leadership, and the role politics play in specific procedures that have the largest impact on health legislation. 

Speakers

• Moderator: Kate Rose, Founding Partner, Welsh Rose
• Howard Moon, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Amgen
• Alex Brill, M.A., Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
• Megan Hauck Marshall, Principal, Nathanson+Hauck
• Michael F. Cannon, M.A., J.M., Director of Health Policy Studies, CATO Institute  

Lunch Break

12:20 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. ET

Boxed lunches were provided.

Session #3: Introduction to the Regulatory Process 

1:05 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. ET

This panel provided a high-level understanding of the different agencies of HHS and the regulatory process, detail when and how staffers can engage with the regulatory process and implementation.

Speakers

• Moderator: Rob Lott, M.S., Senior Deputy Editor, Health Affairs
• Kimberly Brandt, JD, MA, Partner, Tarplin Downs Young
• Yvette Fontenot, MPP, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Health Policy Partners
• Jeremy Sharp, Managing Director, Waxman Strategies

Break

2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

Session #4: Health Policy Academy Deep Dive: Understanding the Role of the Congressional Budget Office 

2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. ET

This panel provided a deep dive into the congressional support agency, Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This briefing will help staff better understand the organizational structure of the CBO, the scoring process, and how to best engage with the CBO, including who staff should be interacting with for health policy scoring.

Speakers

• Moderator: Jeff Holland, VP of Research, Peter G. Peterson Foundation
• Aditi Sen, Ph.D., Chief, Health Policy Studies Unit, Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
• Paul Masi, MPP, Executive Director, MedPAC
• Elizabeth M. Wroe, J.D., Principal, Leavitt Partners

Networking Happy Hour

3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beer/wine while connecting with colleagues.