Health Management Associates (HMA) is pleased to welcome The Honorable Richard F. Topping, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to HMA’s US Healthcare 2026: Signals, Signs & Flashing Lights conference, October 5-7, 2026, in New Orleans, LA. His participation will give health plans, providers, technology companies, and other organizations interested in working with the VA Community Care program a timely opportunity to hear directly from senior VA leadership about the priorities shaping the program’s next phase.
VA Community Care Priorities and Opportunities for Collaboration
HMA’s Jean Glossa, MD, MBA, FACP, will join Mr. Topping during Community Care for Veterans—NextGen VA to discuss priority healthcare issues for the VA. They will examine the VA care delivery system, Mr. Topping’s areas of oversight, and opportunities to better integrate care delivered by VA providers with services furnished by contracted community providers.
In addition to its direct care system, the VA operates six national payer programs, including VA Community Care—now the fourth-largest health insurer in the United States. Mr. Topping will describe how the VA is shifting Community Care from a network administration model toward a true healthcare purchasing and performance‑management model. CCN NextGen is the VA’s first major modernization of Community Care contracting since the MISSION Act, which took effect in 2019. This 10‑year, multiple‑award IDIQ structure will increase competition, enable regional adaptability, and support iterative improvements through sequential task orders opening up new opportunities for industry to partner with the VA.
Explore Best Practices for Working with the VA
Mr. Topping also will participate in one of HMA’s Coffee Conversations and Collaborations, a highly interactive format, which fosters practical discussion. Participants will have an opportunity deepen their knowledge about effective approaches to working with the VA, ask questions, and share experiences. This combination of senior-level perspective and smaller group dialogue makes Mr. Topping’s participation especially relevant for managed care plans, provider organizations, technology firms, and other partners monitoring the direction of VA Community Care.
Join VA and Healthcare Leaders at HMA’s 2026 Conference
HMA is honored to host Mr. Topping and create space for a substantive discussion about the future of VA Community Care. Register for HMA’s US Healthcare 2026 conference to hear directly from leaders who are shaping public healthcare and connect with peers working to turn policy priorities into stronger systems of care.