Crucial Conversations

Industry Knowledge: Policy

In 2025, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) intensified its focus on cost savings and taxpayer protection, a strategy that has generated both support and sharp criticism. New priorities include expanding downside financial risk for providers, reducing state involvement in rate setting, and moving more beneficiaries into accountable care arrangements. This Crucial Conversations will explore the central tension facing Medicare and Medicaid today: Should cost containment remain the primary measure of success, or should policymakers prioritize equitable, high-quality care for beneficiaries, even when that entails higher short-term costs or more flexible approaches to innovation? The lively discussion will probe how these choices will shape the next era of Medicare and Medicaid transformation

Who Should Attend:

This event is ideal for seasoned executives and Next-Gen leaders navigating or interested in understanding the complexities of today’s healthcare policy landscape. Ideal attendees are leaders seeking clarity on how evolving regulations and policy decisions shape the business of healthcare, exploring strategies to align organizational priorities, and driving meaningful improvements in access, quality, and cost.

This is your chance to engage in the conversation, gain insight into the most pressing healthcare policy discussions, and experience the intimate, interactive format.

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026
• Virtual (Free)
• 7:30 - 9:00 AM CT

• Moderator: Melanie Bella, Executive Advisor, Cressey & Company
• Panelists: CJ Stimson, EVP, Population Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Jim Donohue, Partner, ECG Management Consultants