#United States #healthcare #Arlington #Larry Levitt #Caroline Pearson

Keynote Speakers for the 2026 Annual Forum

The anticipation is building for the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions' 2026 Annual Forum, scheduled for November 16-18 in Arlington, Virginia. This year's theme, "Beyond Transparency | Seeing Clearly, Acting Boldly: Employers' Moment of Truth," aims to empower attendees to tackle significant challenges surrounding healthcare affordability and quality.

Keynote Speakers: The event will feature renowned speakers such as Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President for Health Policy at KFF, and Caroline Pearson, Executive Director of the Peterson Center on Healthcare. Levitt will launch the forum with insights into the federal health policy landscape after the mid-term elections, focusing on implications for healthcare affordability. Following him, Pearson will collaborate with Jenny Goins, Interim President and CEO of the National Alliance, to explore effective partnerships between philanthropy and employers.

A Critical Moment for Employers: The theme underscores a pivotal era for employers who are armed with more healthcare data than ever before. As employers strive for greater access to information, they also face a crucial opportunity to challenge the unsustainable pricing of healthcare services. Goins emphasizes that actionable decisions stemming from insights can significantly impact the healthcare system, urging employers to ask the tough questions necessary for fostering a more accountable and affordable healthcare landscape.

Event Highlights: Attendees can look forward to an engaging schedule including plenary sessions, workshops, and breakout discussions. Key session topics include:

• - From Policy to Progress: Understanding federal leadership's role in shaping the future of healthcare affordability.
• - Back to the Future: Reclaiming the patient-centered focus of the 340B program to enhance value.
• - AI Integration: Frameworks for procuring predictive health models and maximizing clinical value.
• - Biosimilars and Transparency: Unlocking savings through a biosimilars-first strategy while defining expectations from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Additionally, a pre-forum workshop tailored for employers only will take place on November 16, providing actionable strategies for managing high-cost claims, particularly in oncology and complex care scenarios.

Registration Benefits: Members affiliated with the National Alliance are eligible for discounted registration rates. As healthcare purchasers dedicate substantial resources to insurance—over $850 billion annually to cover more than 90 million Americans—the forum represents an essential gathering to directly influence healthcare outcomes.

About the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions: For over three decades, this organization has worked to unite business coalitions and promote high-quality healthcare experiences. Its mission emphasizes health equity, improved outcomes, and cost reductions for both public and private sectors, reflecting its broad impact on the employer-sponsored insurance market.

Stay informed about the agenda and secure your registration through the 2026 Annual Forum website. This forum serves as a valuable opportunity for engagement and collaborative action towards a more sustainable healthcare future.