California Health Care, September 23, 2026
Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center present California Health Care, Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
For our annual look at Health Care in California, we will explore the continuing impacts of HR 1 on Health Care and social services; California’s growing senior population and the challenges in caring for them; and the state of Behavior Health, including Care Courts and mental health services. Our keynote speaker will be Senator Akilah Weber Pierson M.D., who brings experience as a physician, a parent, and a leading policymaker to the discussion of California’s health care system.
Click here to save your spot at the live event in Sacramento.
Click here to attend via Zoom.
8:30 AM: Check in, coffee
9:15 AM: Introduction and Welcome – Catharine Baker, UC Student and Policy Center; Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Panel 1: Impact of H.R. 1
Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center
Moderated by Leah O’Tarrow, Capitol Weekly
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM – Panel 2: Aging and Elder Care
Susan DeMarois, Leading Age; Hagar Dickman, Justice in Aging; Dr. Sarita Mohanty, SCAN Foundation; Dr. Lindsey Yourman, UC San Diego Health
Moderated by Robin Epley, Sacramento Bee
Noon: Luncheon Keynote – Senator Akilah Weber Pierson M.D. (Sen. Weber Pierson will appear via livestream)
Interviewed by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly
1:00 PM– 2:00 PM – Panel 3: Behavioral Health
Kirsten Barlow, California Hospital Association; Michelle Doty Cabrera, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California; Lois Cross, NorthBay Health; Katherine Warburton, California Department of State Hospitals
Moderated by author and journalist Dan Morain
California Health Care will be held from 9:15 AM – 2:00 PM, Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento – or, attend via ZOOM from anywhere.
There is no cost to attend this event but registration is required.
For Registration information contact Vanessa at [email protected]
For all other questions contact Tim Foster at (916) 612 2613 or Tim.Foster@capitolweekly.
Thanks to our sponsors: THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, STUTZMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS and FIONA HUTTON & ASSOCIATES
