Capitol Conversations

Dec 4, 2025
Prior Authorization

Women make 4 out of 5 healthcare decisions in the United States, which means they’re the ones primarily interfacing with health insurance plans and navigating prior authorization.

That’s why we convened a briefing focused on what’s happening and what’s on the horizon for addressing patient challenges with prior authorization, with an emphasis on expanding access to treatments for conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as migraine disease.

Key takeaways

• Prior authorization should not be a barrier to care.
• Reform is underway and meaningful progress is on the horizon.
• Collaboration between health plans and patient advocacy groups — especially groups that serve women and are led by women — is essential to improving access and outcomes for women and their families nationwide.

Moderator: Tania Calle, Policy Advisor, HealthyWomen

Panelists:

Julienne Verdi, Executive Director, Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy

Lindsay Videnieks, Executive Director, The Headache and Migraine Policy Forum

Kate Berry, Senior Vice President, Clinical Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, America's Health Insurance Plans

Randy Rutta, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council

For more information on prior authorization reform, read our summary.

May 1, 2025
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) Reform

We focused on the urgent need for comprehensive PBM reform.

Panelists shared insights from the patient, federal legislative, media and ethical PBM perspective — covering everything from the employer’s role to state-level differences and real-world patient impact.

A key takeaway? Patient advocacy groups and NGOs are the most trusted messengers — and essential to driving education, dialogue and reform.

Moderator: Meg Eckenroad, Senior Advisor, Health Policy, Innovation and Technology, HealthyWomen

Panelists:

Blake K. Thelander, Legislative Director, U.S. House of Representatives — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01)

Charles Husser, Federal Affairs Manager, the Arthritis Foundation

Mike Stancil, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, AffirmedRx

Jerry Rogers, Editor, RealClearPolicy

For more on why PBM reform matters and what comes next, read our op-ed: https://lnkd.in/e5mRS4zR

April 8, 2025
Maintaining Investments in New Innovation (MINI) Act

We gathered leading physician, patient and policy voices to discuss the importance of improving cardiovascular health in this country and how the MINI Act (H.R. 1672) is one way to support continued innovation and advancements in cardiovascular and other genetic diseases impacting women.

A key takeaway? Passing the MINI Act would support women’s health research and innovation.

Moderator: Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO, HealthyWomen

Panelists:

Hannah Spengler, Chief of Staff to Representative Don Davis, North Carolina's First Congressional District

Ashlie White, Chief Strategy and Programs Officer, Amputee Coalition

Ashira Vantrees, Director of Legal Strategy & Advocacy, Aimed Alliance