March 12, 2020 —[Note: Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Conference has been rescheduled from May.]

Healthcare was already the top issue for voters—and the coronavirus pandemic only intensifies the focus heading into a hotly-contested election. Both parties want to “do something” about the cost of healthcare and especially drug prices, and what happens when the votes are counted will make a big difference: Who will be the key players in the White House, the Senate, and the House? What will a second Trump administration or a Democratic administration propose?

Plus:

• Fears of a coronavirus pandemic renew concerns about public health capabilities and about widespread health misinformation.
• What will become the new priorities for the FDA, and what are the lessons learned from snafus with coronavirus tests and disruptions in the global supply chain for pharmaceuticals?
• Bipartisan work proceeds behind the scenes on privacy legislation to bring forward after the elections.
• With the Supreme Court reviewing the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, will Obamacare survive—and if not, then what?
• How will trillion-dollar deficits—and now the extra costs of action against coronavirus—add to pressure for a marketing tax?

All of this – and more – will be on the agenda for the fifth annual Rising Leaders Conference on Healthcare Policy, to be held November 18 and 19 at the National Press Club in Washington, sponsored by the Coalition for Healthcare Communication.

“For a unique take on what’s happening in Washington – and how it affects your own work – plan now to attend the Rising Leaders Conference,” said Coalition Executive Director Jon Bigelow. “You will interact in a small-group environment with an all-star faculty of leading inside-the-beltway observers and boldface names at the only policy conference designed from the perspective of healthcare marketers and communicators.”

Past speakers have included U.S. Senators, an FDA Commissioner and other senior FDA officials, prominent Washington attorneys, journalists and inside-the-beltway observers. Conference details:

• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Networking reception, dinner, and keynote speaker, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: Breakfast, 8:00 am; Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Location: National Press Club, 529 Fourteenth Street NW, in Washington.
• Tuition: Only $700 per person for staff of Coalition member companies, $800 for non-members; this includes the networking reception and dinner, continental breakfast, luncheon, and coffee breaks.
• Online registration is now open. Advance registration is required.

What happens in Washington does NOT stay in Washington. Get the lowdown at this special conference.