A large delegation of Nashville healthcare executives will descend on Washington, D.C. next month to meet with policymakers, political pundits and industry insiders as part of Leadership Health Care’s annual trek to the nation’s capital.
Jenni Bradley, whose role as director of Talent Development for the Nashville Health Care Council includes oversight of Leadership Health Care, will spearhead the group of nearly 100 delegates during two days of high-level meetings and networking opportunities. From March 9-10, the group will gain insight into healthcare policy issues, federal healthcare spending priorities and reform implementation while also representing Nashville’s $70 billion healthcare industry in meetings with key decision-makers.
After arriving in D.C. on Monday, the delegation will dive in with briefings and panel discussions with national association executives and thought leaders, a kick-off reception, dinner, keynote speech, and evening networking event. “Our confirmed keynote speaker is David Wasserman, the house editor of The Cook Political Report. David spoke to our group two years ago, and we had an unbelievably positive response to him,” Bradley said of the nonpartisan political analyst. “We’re adding a new post-keynote reception for networking and peer-to-peer interaction,” she continued.
Other confirmed speakers and panelists include:
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, founder and chairman of The Daschle Group, a public policy advisory of Baker Donelson;
Anne Filipic, president of Enroll America, a non-government entity charged with educating the public on health insurance options;
Sarah Thomas, research director for Deloitte Center for Health Solutions;
U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker (R-TN) and U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN);
Yvette Fontenot, partner at Avenue Solutions, an all-female, all-Democratic firm specializing in representing pro-business interests on Capitol Hill with specific expertise in healthcare, energy, financial services, education and telecommunications;
Mary Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of chief executives from all disciplines within healthcare who jointly develop policies, plans and programs for a 21st century healthcare system; and
Cheryl Jaegar, principal with lobbying powerhouse Williams & Jensen.
“The second day is really geared toward speakers with a legislative focus,” Bradley noted. “We typically will meet with legislators from the Tennessee delegation.” The group also interacts with panelists comprised of key congressional staff members and emissaries from the Obama Administration including representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We will be in the offices at 101 Constitution on the second day … a new location … with incredible views of the Capitol and parts of the mall,” Bradley noted.
Although the group will include a number of first-time participants, Bradley credited the strength of schedule and interactive nature of the trip with enticing local industry leaders to make this an annual pilgrimage.
“I think what keeps them coming back is the content and agenda,” she said, adding the staff at the Nashville Health Care Council is mindful of keeping the programming fresh, timely and relevant. “The second is the peer-to-peer interaction,” she continued. “We really see it as our duty as an organization to create an environment that speaks to both of those delegate priorities.”
Although the registration deadline was set for February 4, Bradley was quick to add anyone interested should call (615) 743-3140 even after that date to see if space might still be available. For more information on the trip, go online to healthcarecouncil.com, click on Leadership Health Care.
RELATED LINKS:
