If you are new to safety net financing or need a refresher, join America’s Essential Hospitals’ Essential Learning Series, “Safety Net Financing and Policy: Beyond the Basics.” This annual learning series, designed with junior staff in mind, explores the fundamentals of various funding sources that sustain hospitals serving a safety net role. This can help inform your organization’s efforts to leverage available funding and strengthen your advocacy efforts.
In three 60-minute online sessions, hear from association experts about policies and financing trends affecting essential hospital reimbursement, including Medicare, Medicaid, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and new payment and delivery system reform models. This year’s program also will help essential hospital leaders prepare for the impact of Medicaid cuts included in H.R. 1. Plus, receive opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and access to complimentary online resources and tools.
Course Schedule
Session 1: Context for Safety Net Financing and Medicare Policy
Feb. 4, 2026
1 pm ET
Explore financing trends and the types of Medicare payment policies that support essential hospitals, including Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments and graduate medical education payments.
Instructors:
- Rob Nelb, MPH, Director of Policy, America’s Essential Hospitals
- Rena Miu, MPH, Policy Data Analyst, America’s Essential Hospitals
- Evan Schweikert, Policy Analyst, America’s Essential Hospitals
session 2: Medicaid Policy
Feb. 18, 2026
1 pm ET
Learn about Medicaid eligibility, benefits, provider payment, and financing. Key topics include disproportionate share hospital payments, supplemental payments, directed payments, provider taxes or assessments, and intergovernmental transfers from public hospitals. This session also will highlight cuts to Medicaid included in H.R. 1 and their effect on essential hospitals.
Instructors:
- Rob Nelb, MPH, Director of Policy, America’s Essential Hospitals
- Julie Kozminski, MPH, Policy Manager, America’s Essential Hospitals
- Kate Kelly, Policy Associate, America’s Essential Hospitals
session 3: 340B Policy and Value-Based Care
March 4, 2026
1 pm ET
Gain insight into the 340B Drug Pricing Program and how essential hospitals can use savings from this program to support their mission. Plus, explore recent trends in value-based care and learn about new payment and delivery system reform opportunities to support essential hospitals.
Instructors:
- Rob Nelb, MPH, Director of Policy, America’s Essential Hospitals
- Evan Schweikert, Policy Analyst, America’s Essential Hospitals
Pricing
- Member: $150
- Nonmember: $250
Refund Policy
Requests for refunds must be received in writing by January 28. No refunds will be granted after January 28. For more information on refund and program cancellation policies, please contact our office at 202.585.0100 or email events@essentialhospitals.org.
This learning series will award American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) continuing education credits. To receive full credit hours, you must be present for all three sessions and register your attendance via digital sign-in and sign-off on the Zoom educational platform.