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Our annual CareSource Mission Lobbyists Retreat, held October 19-20, 2025, brought our team together for two days of learning, collaboration and strategic alignment.
Designed to ensure our advocacy efforts remain closely connected to our mission, the retreat provided valuable insight into the evolving healthcare and political landscape at both the state and federal levels.
Setting the Stage: A National Perspective
We were honored to welcome Representative Todd Huston, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, who opened the retreat with a timely and candid perspective on the current healthcare environment and the urgent need for reform. His remarks set the tone for a day filled with meaningful discussion, collaboration and strategy.
Federal Policy & Political Landscape
The Federal Government Affairs team hosted a panel on healthcare policy and politics in Washington, D.C., moderated by Peter Eckrich, Associate Vice President of Federal Government Affairs. The panel featured respected DC healthcare policy experts, including former Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR).
Panelists discussed the congressional impasse surrounding the government shutdown and its connection to extending enhanced advanced premium tax credits (eAPTCs) for the Individual Market. While uncertainty remains around how Congress will resolve rising premiums, speakers agreed that any spending bill would likely require meaningful negotiations. Additional discussion focused on anticipated healthcare legislation for 2026, with Congress prioritizing lowering costs through increased competition, transparency and the use of technology.
The panel also explored future rulemaking to implement H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” including expected regulations on new work requirements, financing changes such as provider taxes and the resulting impact on states. The panel concluded with insights into the 2026 midterm elections, noting that while midterms traditionally favor the party not in the White House, ongoing redistricting in states across the country will add a layer of uncertainty for November 2026.
State Strategy & Collaboration
Roxanne Richardson, Associate Vice President of State Government Affairs, moderated an interactive Q&A focused on collaboration and best practices as states prepare to implement H.R. 1.
Topics included opportunities within the Rural Health Transformation Program, ways to support state agencies managing increased administrative burdens and the headwinds states are currently facing related to Marketplace changes and budget pressures.
Attendees also heard from Holly Joers, CareSource Military & Veterans President, who shared updates on work underway through the new Competitive Demonstration Program in Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
The retreat concluded on a lighthearted note with a performance by Brenden Trogan, magician and illusionist, who left everyone in awe and energized for the work ahead.
Be a Part of Our Mission in 2026
The CareSource Mission Lobbyists Retreat was a strong success, creating space for collaboration, alignment and shared purpose as we prepare for the year ahead. Together, we are strengthening our advocacy strategies to better support our members in 2026 and beyond.
Please consider joining or renewing your CareSource Mission membership for 2026 so we can continue this critical work on behalf of the members we serve.
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