Register Now for “Medicaid Expansion and the Affordable Care Act: A Fiscal Checkup”

March 16, 2016

The Civic Federation is proud to partner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to co-host "Medicaid Expansion and the Affordable Care Act: A Fiscal Checkup,” The event will take place on Monday, April 4, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Conference Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, and will feature distinguished healthcare, government and nonprofit expert panelists and speakers.

Vikki Wachino, Director for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will deliver the forum’s keynote address. Ms. Wachino will share her experiences as Director of CMCS, where she leads activities related to national Medicaid and CHIP policy and program operations, and works closely with states in the implementation of their Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Trish Riley, Executive Director at the National Academy for State Health Policy will deliver opening remarks providing a national perspective on how states are adapting to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), followed by two topical and informative panel sessions.

The first panel, To Expand or Not to Expand: A Question for States, will explore the experience of states that have chosen to expand Medicaid coverage, states that have chosen not to fully expand and states that have waivers from the federal government to implement special versions of ACA Medicaid expansion. The Honorable Julie Hamos, Principal at Health Management Associates, will moderate the panel comprising: Felicia Norwood, Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Chris Harkins, Director, Office of Health and Human Services, Michigan State Budget Office; Seema Verma, President and Founder, SVC, INC (Indiana); and Kevin Moore, Wisconsin Medicaid Director.

Following a short break, panelists in the second session, The ACA’s Impact on Mental Health Services, will discuss how Medicaid has and has not met the challenge of serving low income persons with mental illnesses, including those involved with the criminal justice system. Alexa James, Executive Director, NAMI Chicago will moderate discussion among: Mark Ishaug, CEO, Thresholds; Dr. Jay Shannon, CEO, Cook County Health and Hospitals System; and Chuck Ingoglia, Senior Vice President, National Council for Behavioral Health.

Registration is now open for this half-day event. More information, including a full agenda, can be found here. Space is limited and the conference is expected to sell out.