2025 Healthcare Summit Policy Resources

Seizing Tomorrow’s Health Horizons

Elected women must make difficult choices as they stay connected with their communities, stay updated on policy and research changes, and respond to the varied challenges their constituents face, all while making choices for their own health, and that of their families. Learn how we can look to the future and work together to make change and promote policies that will positively shape health outcomes for women across their lifespan.

Speaker           Kathryn Godburn Schubert, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)

Key Resources: 

Speaker Powerpoint

Closing the Gaps in Maternal Health: Data, Disparities, and Solutions

Explore persisting healthcare disparities and how data-driven solutions can help. Elected women will learn more about how healthcare outcomes play out in real life, and how providers, payers, and health systems can leverage technology and quality methodologies to identify high-risk pregnancies earlier, improve outcomes, and reduce preventable maternal complications.

Speaker           Flora Coan, Regional Manager, Solventum

Speaker Powerpoint

WORKSHOP to End Alzheimer’s

With the historic approval of treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, states have a critical role in ensuring constituents receive high-quality care. Topics will include the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, access to treatments, and improved support for patients and families. Join us for this interactive session to learn how elected women can elevate and improve Alzheimer’s care.

Roundtable Discussion Leads

Lauren Bates-Rowe, Director of Government Affairs, Biogen
Jennifer Rosen, Vice President, State Affairs of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM)
Tricia Brooks, Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy, Eisai, Inc.

Industry Overview for Legislators: An Update on State Health Policy Trends

What Can Help and Hurt Your Constituent’s Access to Innovative Medicines

How can industry and policymakers collaborate to support a strong, patient-centered health system?

                                    Speakers         Sharon Lamberton, MS, RN, Deputy Vice President, PhRMA, NFWL Board

                                                            Ashton Matyi, Senior Director, PhRMA

Type 1 Diabetes Screening: The Cost of Not Knowing

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is on the rise in the United States, and communities of color, including non-white Hispanic Americans, are at higher risk of developing it.  This session will discuss new medical evidence focused on risk factors for T1D, auto-antibody screening opportunities for T1D, and why screening is critical to avoid costly and potentially deadly complications from undiagnosed T1D.  In addition, this presentation will provide legislators with resources and actions that they can take in their states to address T1D screening for their constituents.

Speaker           Karmeen Kulkarni, Board Member, Diabetes Leadership Council

Health Policy & Vaccines

Stay informed with the latest updates on state-level vaccine policies, including access, requirements, exemptions, and public health funding and how elected women work to navigate evolving challenges and protect community health.

Introduction     Senator Gayle Harrell, Florida State Legislature, NFWL Board

Speaker           Dr. Leonard Friedland, Vice President, Director Scientific Affairs and Public Health, GSK Vaccines

Rotating Roundtables

• • Diagnostics 101 in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance –
    
    • • Table Host:  Lauren Hunt, Medical Advisor, US Medical Affairs, bioMerieux, Inc.

• • The Importance of Proper Medication Disposal –
    
    • • Table Host: Irina Butler, MPP, Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group

• • Continuing the Conversation with the Alzheimer’s Association –
    
    • • Table Host: Jennifer Rosen, Vice President, State Affairs of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM)

• • The Power of Nurses
    
    • • Table Host: Alison Hernandez, American Nurses Association

The Value of Health Care Integration and Drug Policy

This session will discuss how health care integration impacts patient care and why fragmentation policies will increase costs and disrupt patient access to services.

Speaker           Leanne D Gassaway, MSL MHA, Vice President, State Government Affairs, CVS Health, NFWL Board

Maternal Mental Health Policy Session
How can elected women support and work toexpand Medicaid postpartum coverage, integrate mental health screening in prenatal care, and increase access to treatment to help transform maternal well-being? Experts on this panel will discuss policy innovations, funding strategies, and equity-driven solutions.

Speakers         Kathryn Santoro, MA, Principal, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Caitlin Murphy, MPP, Research Scientist, Health Policy and Management Department at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University

A New Report – Harnessing AI & Evaluating Health Benefits

Step therapy policies require insured individuals to try and fail on alternative treatments before the insurer or pharmacy benefit manager will cover the prescribed treatment. A new report from Aimed Alliance features their findings on trends in step therapy reform, utilization management, and use of AI in health benefits

Speaker           Ashira Vantrees, Director of Legal Strategy and Advocacy, Aimed Alliance

Supporting Gynecologic Cancer Patients through Civic Leadership

Many people with gynecologic cancers lack effective treatment options and face poor prognoses, but stakeholders at the state and local level are working together to address this complex problem. During this session, attendees will learn how they can leverage their position as a policymaker and community leader to support patients with gynecologic cancers – within their constituencies and beyond.

                                    Speakers         Amy Whited, Regional Director Government Affairs – West, Genmab

                                                            Daniel Amburn, Regional Government Affairs Director – East, Genmab

Our health shapes our lives, and each of us must navigate our own journey. In group discussion, we invite you to reflect on the passion that comes from personal experience, and that of our friends and family, with healthcare.

Speaker     Representative Stephanie T. Bolden, Delaware State Legislature, NFWL Board

Understanding and Addressing Chronic Pain: A Policy and Personal Perspective

Chronic pain affects over 20% of adults, with more than 7% experiencing high-impact chronic pain that disrupts daily life and work. Dive into how chronic pain has impacted the life and policymaking of elected women.

Speaker           Deputy Mayor Susan Honda,  Federal Way, Washington

Building Consensus on Women’s Health Issues – Celebrating Bipartisan Success

Hear from NH Representative Read about her work addressing treatment for rare disease and how sterilization is a pathway to pain free life for some, and the complications many women have faced as they navigate that in the healthcare system. Representative Subeck will share her long journey to learn more and legislate against the practice of pelvic exams being performed on unconscious women without their consent at teaching hospitals.  We’ll then look to Georgia to hear from Representative Schofield’s effort on two successful bills this year on IVF and limb loss.

Introduction     Representative Mary Franson, Minnesota State Legislature

Speakers         Representative Ellen Read, New Hampshire State Legislature  

                        Representative Lisa Subeck, Wisconsin State Legislature

                        Representative Kim Schofield, Georgia State Legislature