By: Allen Pinn, Manager, Policy 

As Congress continues to work through the reconciliation process and the Trump Administration sets its FY 2026 budget priorities, ensuring the voices of patients are heard is more important than ever. The National Health Council (NHC) brought together over 100 policy professionals at the third annual Washington Summer Meeting to hear from experts on impactful patient advocacy, share best practices, and network with representatives from other organizations.  

The half-day event, held on June 6 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC, facilitated many conversations around current hill dynamics surrounding the reconciliation process, non-profit viability, and the FY 2026 federal budget. The invited speakers provided attendees with a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and advice for ensuring law makers understand patient priorities.  

Opening Remarks 

 Kim Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy and External Affairs opened the meeting by setting the current landscape of health care policy and sharing how the NHC is advocating on behalf of the patient community. Beer then introduced Larry Bucshon, MD, Senior Policy Advisor, Holland & Knight, and former U.S. Representative (R-IN-8). Bucshon discussed his fourteen-year career in the House and his perspective on the current reconciliation debate.  As medical provider himself, Buchson emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong public health system with bipartisan support. He  also touched upon the importance of the patient community continuing their advocacy efforts despite a difficult political landscape. He reiterated that patient  advocates should share stories of how policies that limit access to health care will hurt communities. 

Effective Strategies for Engaging with the Administration 

Following Bucshon’s remarks, the audience heard from three health care policy experts, Jack Kalavritinos (Founder and Principal, JK Strategies, Public Affairs, LLC), Janet McUlsky, (President, McUlsky Health Force), and Jerry Rogers (Editor & Host, RealClearPolicy & RealClearHealth). The panelists shared their insights into the new administration and how the patient community can strengthen their advocacy skills. Each of the panelists explored how the political landscape has changed over their careers and how to breakthrough the noise with clear messaging. During their discussion, the panelists agreed that potential Medicaid cuts would hurt patients and that there is common ground to be found between advocates and the administration when discussing how to protect patients. The panelists closed the session by emphasizing the importance of advocacy and connecting patient stories to data.  

Senate Session 

In a fireside chat, Garrett Daniel, Senior Policy Advisor for Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), described the current Senate environment. Daniel shared insights into the ongoing reconciliation process, the House version of the reconciliation package, and the bill’s potential impacts on Medicaid.  Daniel closed his remarks by sharing that the Senate will likely aim to pass an end-of-year package focused on bipartisan health care priorities such as Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms.  

CEO/Leadership Panel 

In the next panel, two CEOs of NHC member organizations shared their perspectives on leadership in the current political environment and navigating federal funding challenges. Cass Isidro, President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition and Louise Vetter, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America joined the NHC to describe their current work environments and how they are continuing to advocate on behalf of their patient communities regardless of the shifting political environment. Both Vetter and Isidro discussed how their organizations had been impacted by federal funding freezes, while also praising their policy and advocacy teams. During their remarks, both CEOs echoed the importance of maintaining community with other patient advocates and organizations as we advocate for common patient-centered goals.  

Bipartisan House Panel 

In the final session of the day, WRSM attendees heard from Jaclyn Kilroy, Professional Staff Member, House Appropriations Committee and Leigh Ann Fairley, Health Legislative Assistant for Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12). The dialogue was centered on House dynamics around the reconciliation package and the budget for FY 2026. In their remarks, both Fairley and Kilroy described the challenges of navigating the current House environment. Kilroy discussed her concerns around funding cuts, especially those set to impact public health programs and agencies such as the NIH and CDC. She noted how in the past funding for these programs and agencies received bipartisan support and that the patient community should be more vocal with representatives about the impacts these cuts will have. Fairley encouraged the audience to continue to reach out Republican offices to discuss the reconciliation package and their concerns surrounding Medicaid funding.  

To learn more about the 2025 WRSM speakers, visit the NHC Website. Want more policy content? Be sure to join the NHC at this year’s Washington Representatives Retreat in Annapolis, MD, on November 20-21!