Insights from Recent Health Policy and Practice Conferences

    Published by

    Lisa Kaplan Howe

    ,

    Eliza Mette

    ,

    Martha Mulugeta

    ,

    Kaitlyn Crone

    and

    Bella Preneta

    on

    Insights from Recent Health Policy and Practice Conferences

    PCG staff has been making rounds at conferences over the last few months – sharing information and hearing from thought leaders and experts across the health landscape about responses to emerging challenges, innovations, and collaborations. Across these gatherings, PCG contributed to discussions, shared expertise, and engaged with stakeholders to support system improvement efforts nationwide.

    National Academy of State Health Policy Annual Conference

    PCG’s Health Policy and Program Evaluation Team was an exhibitor at this year’s Annual Conference of the National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP) and also sent several team members to attend what is always a robust gathering and a unique opportunity for information sharing. This year’s conference attracted over 1,300 attendees from across the nation – including health policy officials, legislators, thought leaders, advocates, and subject matter experts. Our team is happy to share key takeaways from the three days of events.

    H.R. 1 Considerations for States

    Not surprisingly, H.R. 1 was a topic of great interest across the conference with some key insights generated:

    • States face significant implementation costs. There is a large impact on state Medicaid staff and resources related to H.R. 1 changes. This includes not only the staff enhancements that will be required, for example, to conduct more frequent determinations, but also the capacity and resources that have been supporting planning and implementation of policy, operational, and systems changes to come into compliance with the new federal requirements.
    • Medicaid has a role not just in implementing the Community Engagement Requirement (CER) but also lifting up opportunities to meet those requirements. For example, Medicaid officials are thinking about how to share information not only about state job programs but also about community service opportunities available through local charitable organizations so that if individuals cannot secure quite enough traditional work hours, they can supplement through qualifying community service.
    • IT has a huge role in H.R. 1 implementation. In addition, to the systems changes and data sharing capacity that are necessary, for example, to make ex parte determinations for community engagement, IT can be leveraged to ease some of the implementation burdens noted above. For example, IT changes can help to ease the workforce burden of the more frequent redeterminations by automating work on the front end. Additionally, state health information exchanges can support determinations related to the community engagement medical frailty exclusion.
    • There was much discussion related to the opportunities provided by the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was one of the first provisions to go into effect and is providing significant funding to states in the context of huge cuts to the program. While the RHTP is an opportunity for states, state leaders noted that immense pressures that are imbedded in the program. States have faced significant time pressure since day 1 – first with tight timelines for planning projects and developing applications, and, since with tight timelines to get programs up and running and dollars out the door according to agreed-upon timelines so they do not lose funding going forward. On the back end, plans must start early to plan for sustainability following the five-year grant period.

    State Strategies in the Ongoing Opioid Substance Use Response

    During the conference’s Sustaining Momentum in Opioid Substance Use Response session, leaders from Alabama and New York shared lessons learned in addressing the opioid crisis and leveraging different funding streams.

    New York highlighted its data-driven, equity-focused approach, which has contributed to a 44% reduction in overdose deaths and a 50% rural methadone access. Key strategies included expanding harm reduction services, street outreach and mobile treatment units, and integrating Opioid Treatment Programs within existing Federally-Qualified Health Center footprints to get ahead of community resistance.

    Alabama emphasized the importance of tailoring approaches to the state’s unique context. Through coalition-building and bringing law enforcement to the table, the state successfully advanced legislation authorizing fentanyl test strips. The state also leveraged State Opioid Response (SOR) funding to place certified peer recovery coaches in emergency departments and used private grant funding to support faith-based support specialists, both of which have produced positive results.

    In response to a question regarding navigating the evolving federal landscape, New York noted that while terminology and funding mechanisms may evolve, the underlying work remains unchanged. Alabama has always had to be creative in order to serve people and acknowledged ongoing challenges around harm reduction strategies and the adoption of Housing First models, which underscores the need for strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement.

    Improving Behavioral Health Across the Lifespan

    A NASHP session on improving behavioral health across the life span highlighted how New Mexico and Alabama are expanding access to care through workforce developments, integrated service delivery, and technology-enabled solutions. In particular, New Mexico is advancing statewide behavioral health reform through regional planning and funding initiatives, expanding peer support credentialing and school-based and youth-focused mental health services, and coordinating justice-involved reentry supports that connect individuals leaving correction settings to care. Alabama is similarly expanding access through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, mobile crisis services, tele-behavioral health in rural schools linking children to crisis care, and integrating technological justice-involved behavioral health interventions. Across both states, presenters emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and targeted investments to improve access, quality, and continuity of behavioral health services.

     

    2026 Human Services Financial Officers (HSFO) Conference

    PCG’s Health Policy and Program Evaluation Team was proud to present at the HSFO Conference in August on the critical role behavioral health assessments play in helping states respond to growing mental health and substance use disorder needs. During the session, our team highlighted how data-driven assessments can identify service gaps, estimate future resource needs, and support strategic investments that expand access to care. We also explored the importance of pairing quantitative analysis with meaningful community engagement to ensure planning efforts reflect local needs and priorities. By combining robust analytics with stakeholder input, states can make more informed funding decisions, strengthen behavioral health systems, and build sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for the communities they serve

     

    National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Annual Partner Summit

    PCG’s Health Policy and Program Evaluation Team attended the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annual Partner Summit, which featured sessions examining current developments in mental and behavioral health policy. NAMI’s Policy and Regulation team led a discussion on the evolving federal health policy landscape, including implementation of H.R. 1, evidence-based care, housing and community-based services, and funding considerations for mental health programs. The session offered perspectives on how policy and funding developments may affect behavioral health systems, providers, and the individuals and communities they serve.

    The summit also addressed emerging issues alongside opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health. NAMI shared its work in this area and explored considerations surrounding the role of new technologies within the broader mental health landscape. The session emphasized the power of AI in mental health, but warned against incorrect use and the importance of developing safeguards backed by with evidence based mental health care.

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    Lisa Kaplan Howe (J.D.) is a Senior Advisor who has spent her career working in health law and policy. At PCG, she focuses on statutory and regulatory analysis and strategic advising, particularly related to health care policy. Lisa has provided subject matter expertise to support state health care reform efforts, including policy development and regulatory support for health insurance Marketplaces and state insurance plan management efforts, Medicaid expansion and Medicaid Waivers (including DSRIP Waivers) and State Innovation Waivers. Lisa led PCG’s work with the New Hampshire Insurance Department relative the state’s Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver to provide coverage to newly-eligible adults through the Marketplace and continues to support the states’ Marketplace plan management work. In those roles, Lisa has served as the chief advisor and policy expert related to Medicaid and private insurance law to the New Hampshire Insurance Department, helping to identify, analyze and lead strategic consideration of federal opportunities and requirements. Lisa is also part of the team helping to design Colorado’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program. Ms. Kaplan Howe also provides broad policy and regulatory support to PCG’s other health care clients across the country, analyzing policy and regulatory developments, providing strategic advice relative to regulatory questions, and drafting policy briefs and position papers. Lisa is a managing editor of PCG’s monthly health practice area newsletter, Health Policy News. Prior to joining PCG, Lisa served as Policy Director at New Hampshire Voices for Health, where she led legislative and regulatory analysis, strategic planning, and implementation of the organization’s policy agenda. Her work included drafting bills, amendments, testimony, and communications and testifying at hearings. Lisa also held the positions of Private Market Policy Manager and Consumer Health Policy Coordinator at Health Care for All of Massachusetts. While there, she managed private insurance market policy work and was a member of the organization’s internal health reform team. Lisa also practiced law in the Ropes & Gray health care department, advising health care provider and insurer clients.
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    Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, PCG helps public sector health, education, and human services organizations make measurable improvements to their performance and processes.

    PCG’s Health Policy News Blog is written by some of PCG’s most knowledgeable and experienced health policy subject matter experts. With this blog, they aim to distill the latest federal and state health policy news into relevant and digestible reading.

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