California Health Care, September 23, 2026

Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented California Health Care, Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Hear an audio-only podcasts of the panels here.

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 Rich Ehisen, 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.

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

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