Rise

Opening Remarks

Co-chair: 

Ashley A. H. Gray 
Executive Director 
Aligning for Health 

Additional Co-Chair to be announced  

Opening Keynote: The Future of SDOH Policy in Federal Programs

• Explore the evolving landscape of health equity policy within federal programs, highlighting the latest initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for creating more equitable health outcomes for all 

• Gain a comprehensive overview of current federal efforts to integrate SDOH into healthcare policy, focusing on innovative strategies and successful models 

• Walk away with an update on recent policy developments and future directions in federal health programs 

• Discuss collaborative efforts between federal agencies, state and local governments, and community organizations 

Jessica Schubel 
Special Assistant to the President for Health Care at the Domestic Policy Council 
Executive Office of the President 
White House Domestic Policy Counsel 

Panel - 2024: A Year of Achievements

• Explore the significant strides made in 2024 towards advancing health equity and addressing SDOH across key federal agencies 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative efforts and groundbreaking initiatives that have shaped the landscape of health equity over the past year 

Moderator: 

To be announced  

Panelists: 

Dr. Ernest Moy 
Executive Director 
Veterans Health Administration Office of Health Equity 

Dr. Martin Mendoza  
Chief Health Equity Officer and Director Office of Minority Health  
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 

Additional Panelists invited from HUD and USDA  

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Implementing SDOH, PIN, and CHI Services in Medicare: What Have We Learned?

• Join us for an in-depth panel discussion focused on the practical implementation of the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), specifically addressing services related to SDOH assessment, Patient Identification Numbers (PIN), and Community Health Initiatives (CHI) 

• Gain insights from lessons learned from the initial implementation phase  

• Explore opportunities to enhance the operationalization of these crucial services in collaboration with community health workers (CHWs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) 

Moderator: 

To be announced 

Panelists: 

Kelly Cronin  
Deputy Administrator, Innovation and Partnership at HHS Administration of Community Living 
ACL  

Doug Jacobs  
Chief Transformation Officer  
CMS 

Additional Panelists to be announced  

Evolution of HRSN Data Collection in Federal Programs

• Explore the evolving landscape of health-related social needs (HRSN) data collection through federal programs and its transformative potential for healthcare providers, payers, health systems, and community-based organizations (CBOs) 

• Delve into the latest policy changes and future directions in HRSN data collection 

• Discuss the impact of this data on healthcare delivery, policy-making, and community health initiatives, providing valuable insights into how diverse stakeholders can collaborate to leverage this information for better health outcomes 

Moderator: 
Lenel James  
Interoperability Solutions Lead  
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 

Panelists:  

Karen Hacker 
Director National Center of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 
CDC  

Additional Panelists to be announced  

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Innovative Approaches to Improve Maternal Health Equity

• Gain an in-depth analysis of the current state of maternal health equity in the United States 

• Delve into the critical issue of disparities in birth outcomes, maternal mortality, and morbidity with focus on opportunities within federal health programs and private sector to address these disparities and promote healthier pregnancies and births for all mothers 

• Explore innovative approaches and initiatives aimed at improving maternal health outcomes 

Moderator: 
Priya Bathija  
Founder + CEO  
Nyoo Health 

Panelists: 

To be announced  

State-Level Policies to Address Health-Related Social Needs

• Discover the innovative state-level policies that are transforming healthcare by addressing health-related social needs in this illuminating panel discussion 

• Get a comprehensive look at how states are utilizing 1115 waivers, public health initiatives, and Medicaid managed care organizations to create impactful programs 

• Gain firsthand insights into the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from the policymakers directly involved in these groundbreaking efforts 

Moderator: 
to be announced  
 
Panelists: 
Jack Rollins 
Director of Federal Policy   
The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) 
 
Jenny Babcock 
Senior Vice President for Medicaid Policy  
Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP)  

 
Additional Panelists to be announced  

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

CBO Panel: Grassroots Efforts and Community-Based Approaches to Community-Driven SDOH Initiatives

• Explore the power of grassroots efforts and community-based approaches in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and promoting health equity in this engaging panel discussion 

• Hear about success stories of community-driven initiatives that are tackling specific health disparities and gain insights into how you can scale similar efforts in your community  

• Get strategies for fostering strong collaborations with local governments, healthcare providers, businesses, and other community-based organizations to enhance the reach and impact of SDOH initiatives 

• Hear how local organizations have navigated policy landscapes to secure funding, support, and legislative backing for their initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability 

Moderator: 
to be announced  
 
Panelists: 

Ruth Ann Norton 
President & CEO  
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative  

Brandon Wilson 
Chief Operating Officer  
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

Kristen Daugherty, LCSW-S, LISW-S, MBA  
Chief Executive Officer 
Emergence Health Network 

Saeeda Lesley Dunston 
Chief Executive Officer 
Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities Inc. 

Case Study: Navigating Reimbursement for SDOH-Related Services in NC

Brandon Wilson 
Chief Operating Officer  
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Closing Remarks

Co-chair: 

Ashley A. H. Gray 
Executive Director 
Aligning for Health 

Additional Co-Chair to be announced 

Breakfast Roundtable Discussions

Grab your breakfast and join us for interactive roundtables on pertinent industry topics. These idea-exchange sessions are 20 minutes long, allowing you to make your way to two different roundtables.  

Participate in a facilitated roundtable discussion and deep dive with peers on timely topics, including: 

1. Women’s Health  -  Priya Bathija, Founder + CEO, Nyoo Health
2. Addressing Food Insecurity  - Rick Whitted, President & CEO, U.S. Hunger 
3. Navigating the Housing Crisis  
4. Combatting the Opioid Epidemic - Saeeda Lesley Dunston, Chief Executive Officer, Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities Inc.   
5. Addressing the Needs of the LGBTQIA+ Community  
6. Mental and Behavioral Health - Kristen Daugherty, LCSW-S, LISW-S, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Emergence Health Network 
7. Health Equity for the LatinX Community - Suyanna Linhales Barker, DrPH, Chief Program Officer, La Clinica Del Pueblo 
8. Experiences in Data Sharing and Information Exchange - Caitlin Holcomb, Entrepreneur and Patient Advocate  
9. Navigating the Medicaid Reimbursement Landscape   

Welcome Remarks and Day One Recap

Co-chair: 

Ashley A. H. Gray 
Executive Director 
Aligning for Health 

Additional Co-Chair to be announced  

Special Presentation: Equitable Health Care for Persons with Disabilities

Injured at 9 due to a shooting accident, Chanda Hinton’s life was forever changed. After receiving inequitable health care as a result of her health disparities, Chanda Hinton decided to use her tenacity and determination to be a pillar for the disability community. Founder of the Chanda Center for Health, healthcare advocate, and policy changemaker, Chanda discusses disability competent care as it relates to regulations, and changes need that providers and CBO’s can engage in to help radiate health disparities with this population.    

Interviewee:  

Chanda Hinton  
Executive Director   
Chanda Center for Health   
Chanda Plan Foundation  
(pending final confirmation)  

Congressional Efforts to Address Social Determinants of Health in 2025

Join us for an illuminating panel discussion featuring a distinguished Congressional Member and Senator who will provide an insider’s perspective on what to expect in 2025 for Congressional efforts to address SDOH.

Systems-Based Solutions to Tackle SDOH

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring leading experts from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and the Brookings Institution as they present their latest white paper on multi-sector policy opportunities to address SDOH at the federal level. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of innovative strategies and collaborative approaches designed to tackle SDOH through coordinated efforts across various sectors. 

Lessons from the Field: State Efforts to Address SDOH

Join us for an insightful panel discussion showcasing innovative state efforts to tackle critical issues: food security, housing stability, and pre-release transition services for incarcerated populations. This session will feature state policymakers who have been at the forefront of designing and implementing these impactful policies. Attendees will hear firsthand experiences and gain practical knowledge on the collaborative processes required to make these programs successful, involving partnerships with the private sector, community-based organizations, and social services agencies. 

Speakers to be announced  

Panel: The Role of Private Sector Partnerships to Address SDOH

• Learn from successful collaborations between businesses and health organizations, with focus on how these partnerships have created impactful solutions to improve health outcomes and promote health equity 
• Discuss policy opportunities that can facilitate and enhance these collaborative efforts 
• Hear about examples of innovative programs and initiatives developed through these partnerships that have led to measurable improvements in health equity

Moderator: 
to be announced  
 
Panelists: 

Danielle Cameron 
Director, Program Management 
CalOptima Health  

Blair Harrison  
Policy Director, Community & Social Health  
UnitedHealthcare Community & State  

Additional panelists to be announced  

Anticipating 2025 - Federal and State Policy Efforts to Address Social Determinants of Health

• Hear a forward-looking perspective on what to expect in 2025 for federal and state policy efforts aimed at addressing SDOH 

• Delve into anticipated federal administrative activity 

• Walk away with the tools to influence the evolving policy landscape effectively  

Closing Remarks

Co-chair: 

Ashley A. H. Gray 
Executive Director 
Aligning for Health 

Additional Co-Chair to be announced