Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP), it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Annual Health Policy Conference: Health Care at the Crossroads – How Federal and State Policies are Impacting Change.
We come together at a critical juncture for our nation’s health care system. Recent actions by Congress and the Trump Administration pose significant challenges to the progress Massachusetts has made toward achieving near-universal coverage. The elimination of key subsidies established under the Affordable Care Act could leave millions nationwide without health insurance, potentially impacting up to 300,000 individuals right here in the Commonwealth. These developments threaten to place further strain on an already overburdened health care system and risk leaving many without access to comprehensive medical care.
Additionally, the rising cost of coverage continues to place significant pressure on small businesses and individuals, with Massachusetts families currently facing the highest health insurance premiums in the country. Addressing affordability is now more urgent than ever. As a Commonwealth, we must reaffirm our commitment to making health care more accessible and affordable. This includes curbing the primary cost drivers, particularly provider and pharmaceutical pricing, and making it easier for consumers to understand the cost of their care.
Equally concerning are the efforts by the Trump Administration to roll back longstanding vaccine policies, which have led to public confusion, eroded trust, and raised alarms within the medical and public health communities. These actions risk undoing decades of progress in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the United States.
Today’s conference will explore these pressing issues and more. We are honored to once again welcome Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who will share his insights on the evolving landscape of health and vaccine policy at the federal level. We are also delighted to be joined by Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, the newly appointed Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, who will sit down for a fireside chat with me to discuss his vision and strategic priorities for health care in Massachusetts.
We are also fortunate to have with us a panel of distinguished state leaders, including Representative John Lawn and Senator Cindy Friedman, Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, along with David Seltz, Executive Director of the Health Policy Commission, and Insurance Commissioner Michael Caljouw. This discussion, moderated by John McDonough, will provide valuable perspectives on the current state of health policy in the Commonwealth and the path forward toward greater affordability and sustainability.
Throughout the day, you will also hear from leading experts on federal policy trends and hospital efficiency strategies, and a diverse group of stakeholders in a closing panel focused on the future of health care delivery and reform.
During the breaks, I encourage you to visit our exhibitor booths to connect with the sponsors whose generous support has made today’s event possible and to learn more about the innovative solutions they offer.
In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our sponsors, with special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Sagility, for their outstanding support. On behalf of the MAHP Board of Directors and our entire team, thank you for being with us. We hope you find today’s conference insightful, thought-provoking, and inspiring as we work together to shape the future of health care in Massachusetts and beyond.
Warm regards,
