Health Management Associates (HMA) is pleased to announce that Caprice Knapp, PhD, Principal Deputy for the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services, will participate in two sessions at HMA’s US Healthcare 2026: Signals, Signs & Flashing Lights conference, October 5-7, 2026. in New Orleans, LA. As states, plans, providers, and community partners prepare for a new era in Medicaid and other public healthcare programs, these conversations will focus on practical solutions, implementation realities, and the partnerships needed to move from policy change to sustainable results.
State Medicaid and CHIP Strategies for Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Services
As the prevalence of autism has increased, state investments in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and related services have grown substantially. This preconference session will examine federal guidance and state strategies for supporting appropriate, high-quality care for children with autism while helping programs strengthen oversight, access, and service delivery.
Medicaid Policy Changes and Their Ripple Effects Across Healthcare
Changes in Medicaid policy and financing will not stay confined to Medicaid. Coverage churn across Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, and employer-sponsored insurance can reshape risk pools, influence plan participation, increase provider financial exposure, and leave more people uninsured. This session will bring federal and state leaders together to discuss how Medicaid agencies and their partners are responding, where collaboration is most needed, and what strategies will be needed to navigate the next phase of public healthcare transformation.
The following current and former Medicaid directors will join Dr. Knapp:
- Ann Jensen, Administrator, Nevada Medicaid Nevada Health Authority
- Cheryl J. Roberts, JD, Senior Advisor; Former Medicaid Director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Ryan Schwarz, MD, MBA, Medicaid Director & Assistant Secretary for MassHealth, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services
- Scott Partika, Director, Ohio Department of Medicaid
VA Community Care and NextGen Healthcare Innovation for Veterans
As the nation’s largest integrated health system serving military veterans, the VA is working with health plans, providers, health systems, technology firms, and other innovators to bring effective solutions from across the healthcare marketplace to people who have served our nation. Approximately 42 percent of the healthcare services that veterans receive today is delivered through the contracted Community Care program, and that share is expected to grow. Assistant Secretary Richard F. Topping will discuss the VA’s vision for the future of Community Care, the critical role industry partners will play, and how the VA intends to learn from the field, adopt proven practices, leverage emerging technologies, and foster innovation that improves access, quality, and outcomes for veterans.
As Medicaid, VA Community Care, and other public healthcare programs enter a period of significant change, HMA’s conference will focus on the partnerships, operational strategies, and solutions needed to move from policy to implementation.
Register today to join leaders working through the decisions that will shape the next phase of public healthcare.