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.  

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

2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Break 

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Series of Senate 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.

  • Polly Webster, Senate Finance Minority

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Break 

3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Series of House 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
  • Jaime Varela, House Appropriations Majority Professional Staff 

5:00 p.m.
Meeting Adjourns