In addition to participating this fall in the Municipal Health Insurance Summit (see p.4) and the BCBS Fall Labor Affairs Forum (see p. 6), Association officials were on hand in DC for the Public Sector HealthCare Roundtable Annual Conference. The Roundtable brings together public sector healthcare purchasers to impact health policy.
During the three-day conference, CEO Shawn Duhamel and Legislative Liaison Nancy McGovern were given an excellent opportunity to meet and hear from leading experts on a variety of topics impacting healthcare and the ability of organizations, such as the GIC, to provide affordable, quality benefits. This year the Roundtable celebrated 20 years, and the speakers did not disappoint.
The first day kicked off with a reflection on 20 years of healthcare progress and possibilities with former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle. The afternoon sessions covered federal health policy trends and what the landscape may look like post-election.
A highlight from day two was hearing from Meena Seshamani, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for Medicare, CMS. Dr. Seshamani offered insights on navigating the changing Medicare landscape. She spoke to the recent revisions to Part D plans, the work they have been doing to limit predatory marketing of Medicare Advantage plans and drug pricing negotiations.
Continuing with the call for cost containment and innovative solutions nationally and locally attendees had the opportunity to hear three case studies from plan providers and their partners. The final session of the three-day conference finished up with an update from the National Institute for Public Employee Health Care Policy on their cost containment survey findings.