Washington Representatives Summer Meeting 
Monday, June 15, 2026 
10:30 a.m. – 5:00p.m. 
Location: Barbara Jordan Conference Center 
Washington, DC 

Purpose: This half-day event brings together leading government relations and policy leaders from the NHC’s member patient and partner organizations to hear directly from Congressional staff and policy leaders on key issues most important to the patient advocacy community. Attendees will also have opportunities to network and discuss key challenges and opportunities shaping advocacy in the 119th Congress.

10:30 – 11:30
Registration Open 
Complimentary boxed lunches will be available in the foyer.

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
  • Randall Rutta, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council 
  • Kimberly Beer, SVP, Policy & External Relations, National Health Council 

 11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Opening Remarks   

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Administration Panel
This panel will feature senior Administration officials discussing current federal health policy priorities, implementation activities, and key developments across the Administration impacting patients and the health care community. Discussion topics may include regulatory and legislative priorities, interagency coordination, public health and innovation initiatives, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement moving forward.  

Moderator:
  • Randy Rutta, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council

Panelists:
  • Joe Albanese, Director of Policy, Center for Medicare
  • Amy Comstock Rick, J.D., Associate Director for Rare Disease Strategy, CDER and Director of Strategic Coalitions, FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
H.R. 1 Implementation Panel
This panel will provide an update on implementation of H.R. 1, including recent developments related to the Interim Final Rule (IFR), ongoing stakeholder engagement, and the National Health Council’s OBBBA implementation project and related activities. Panelists will discuss key patient and policy considerations, implementation challenges, and opportunities for continued collaboration and education moving forward.

Moderator: 
  • Kelly Brantley

Panelists:

  • Alison Barkoff, George Washington University 
  • Claire Gollegly, Modern Medicaid Alliance 
  • Hannah Green, American Lung Association (PPC) 
  • David Machledt, National Health Law Program (NHeLP) & Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) 

2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Break 

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Series of Congressional Staff Fireside Chats
A series of fireside chats with staff from key Senate committees and offices to discuss the Senate’s health agenda for the remainder of the congressional calendar and highlight opportunities for engagement by patient organizations.

  • David Steury, Health Policy Director, House of Representatives Congresswoman Diana DeGette
  • Polly Webster, Senate Finance Minority

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Break 

3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Series of Congressional Staff Fireside Chats
A series of fireside chats with staff from key House committees and offices to discuss the Senate’s health agenda for the remainder of the congressional calendar and highlight opportunities for engagement by patient organizations.

  • Amy Hall, House Ways and Means Minority
  • Davis Michols, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, U.S. Congressman H. Morgan Griffith ( (VA-09) 
  • Jaime Varela, Professional Staff, U.S. House Appropriations Committee

5:00 – 5:10 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Meeting Adjourns