Health economist and policy expert Dr. Zack Cooper will offer insight on the impact of rising healthcare costs to the US economy, businesses, and working families
WASHINGTON – October 22, 2024 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions is hosting its highly anticipated 2024 Annual Forum – Manifesting a New Destiny: Employers Creating the Future of Healthcare – November 18-20 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
This event convenes some of the brightest minds in the nation, including top employers, coalitions, and healthcare industry thought leaders and promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone seeking insight on the ever-evolving trends, strategies, and innovations in the healthcare and benefits industry.
There is an impressive lineup of renowned speakers and comprehensive series of sessions covering pressing issues such as fiduciary responsibility, hospital and PBM reforms, and how to manage high claims, including the high costs of drugs such as GLP-1s. Attendees can look forward to engaging in high-level discussions to expand their knowledge and network with industry leaders.
Opening keynote is Zack Cooper, PhD, Associate Professor of Public Health and Associate Professor of Economics at Yale University. Dr. Cooper will explore the economic and human impact of high and rising healthcare prices and ways to drive efficiency in the US health system and the limits of cost-sharing and consumerism.
Given that hospital expenses are rapidly becoming one of the largest expenditures in the US economy, another key session features top thought leaders. Molly Smith, Group Vice President, Public Policy for the American Hospital Association, will shed light on the pricing mechanisms of the hospital industry and initiate a discussion with National Alliance President and CEO, Shawn Gremminger. Additional participants include Michael McDermott, MD, President and CEO, Mary Washington Healthcare; Mark Miller, PhD, Executive Vice President of Health Care, Arnold Ventures; and Laurel Pickering, President and CEO, St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition.
“While there is growing momentum from both private and public stakeholders to solve the problem of unbearably high healthcare costs, it requires a much more concerted focus and effort from purchasers and the stakeholders who support them,” said Gremminger. “This is a must-attend event for employers in leading these change efforts.”
Benefit leaders from across the country are among the distinguished speakers. They lead healthcare benefit decisions for organizations including: 32BJ Health Fund; Delta Air Lines; ELLWOOD Group; FFF Enterprises; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Morgan Health; Navitus; City of Plano, TX; City of Portland; Purdue University; Teamsters Health & Welfare Fund of Philadelphia; US Foods; and Washington State Health Authority.
Session highlights include:
- Practical workshops for employers/purchasers around how to achieve healthcare price transparency; address high-cost claims; understand data to manage medical trend and drive affordability; and strategies to address PBM misalignment
- Employer Call to Action: Finding the Courage to Drive Radical Change
- Challenging the Perverse Incentives in Healthcare: Removing the Intermediaries
- 340B Exposed: The Hidden Financial Impact on Employers
- Operationalizing Health Equity through Policy, Benefit Design, and Data Analysis
- Supporting Women’s Health: Employers’ Role in Advancing Comprehensive Obesity Care
- Mitigating Risk: Essential Training for Healthcare Plan Fiduciaries
New this year – PBM Hub: Employer Strategies to Break the Monopolies
At the close of the conference on November 20, attending employers are invited to participate in a unique opportunity to gain actionable insights on driving transparency in their pharmacy benefit design. This groundbreaking PBM Hub event empowers employers to lead the charge for change to take control of their pharmacy benefits—an effort initiated during our recent PBM purchaser workshops. Learn more: https://nationalalliancehealth.swoogo.com/2024annualforum/6230764.
Registration is discounted for employers and other healthcare purchasers affiliated with a National Alliance member coalition. The reduced room rate for the hotel has been extended to October 25. Learn more and register: https://nationalalliancehealth.swoogo.com/2024AnnualForum.
About National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
For over 30 years, the National Alliance has united business coalitions and their employer/purchaser members to achieve high-quality care that improves patient experience, health equity, and outcomes at lower costs. Its members represent private and public sector, nonprofit, and labor union organizations that provide health benefits for more than 45 million Americans and spend over $400 billion annually. To learn more, visit nationalalliancehealth.org and connect on LinkedIn.
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Note to editors: Passes are available for accredited media upon request, email Cary Conway.