Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) addressed attendees prior to their Hill meetings, thanking them for spending time with policymakers and staff. As a new member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Kaine is able to focus on healthcare and education priorities, and highlighted the recent Committee’s passage of PAHPAI.
On day two of the Summit, attendees heard from both sides of the political aisle during the event’s education sessions. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with Democratic and Republican Chiefs of Staff, provided insider perspectives on health reform’s future, as well as the upcoming midterm elections.
On the payer side, former Anthem executive and VillageMD co-founder Paul Martino highlighted ongoing consolidation in both the provider and payer space. He predicted managed care groups, like accountable care organizations, likely will encounter difficulties as they are forced to take on more downside risk.