Member-Sponsored Briefing: ACA Repeal - Impact and Opportunities for Maryland

Consumer Health First's Executive Director, Jeananne Sciabarra, and President, Leni Preston, will present on the potential impact in Maryland of federal efforts to repeal the ACA. They will, first, provide an overview of the advances to date including the: (1) Medicaid expansion; (2) increase in the number of insured through private plans with comprehensive benefits and affordability subsidies; (3) consumer protections for all Marylanders; and (4) transformation of the delivery system with Maryland’s unique All-Payer Model. They will then explore the challenges Maryland faces in mitigating the impact in Maryland of federal efforts to repeal the ACA and propose strategies to retain the advances made to date while continuing to move forward.

Maryland Philanthropy Network members will:

• Learn about the status of federal advocacy efforts to preserve the Affordable Care Act;
• Explore how repeal of the Affordable Care Act would impact residents in Baltimore and throughout Maryland;
• Get an update on actions being taken by Maryland legislators and other stakeholders to minimize the negative impact of potential changes in the Affordable Care Act;
• Discuss likely scenarios related to the future of Medicaid expansion in Maryland; and
• Identify ways that philanthropic organizations can support local organizations working to preserve meaningful access to healthcare and ensure the continuing existence of safety net programs.

About the Speakers:

Jeananne Sciabarra was selected as the first Executive Director of Consumer Health First after its transformation from the Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Care Reform in 2016. Following a software development and project management career in the federal government, Jeananne received her MPP from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and began a second career in health policy. From 2010 to 2014, she served as the Quality Improvement and Accreditation Manager at St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families in Hyattsville, Maryland. Jeananne led the nonprofit through the accreditation process, ensuring the highest standards of care for the women and children served. From 2014 to 2016, Jeananne was the Director of Health Care Transformation at Healthy Howard, Inc., where she advanced innovative population health programs including the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition, the Advanced Primary Care Collaborative, and the Community Care Team. Jeananne also has extensive volunteer experience with organizations serving children and families in her community. 

Leni Preston currently serves as the President of Consumer Health First (CHF). In 2016, she led the strategic transformation of its forerunner,  the Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Care Reform  (Coalition), into a new nonprofit organization. While the name is new, the mission remains the same - to advance health equity through access to high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable health care." The Coalition, and now CHF, serve as Maryland's lead consumer health policy and advocacy collaborative with a statewide alliance of individuals and organizations. CHF is committed to putting the consumer first in as legislation is written and policies are developed. To do that Leni and other members of CHF's Board have engaged with a diverse group of partners and stakeholders.  In addition, they have served on virtually every committee and workgroup focused on implementation of Maryland's health care reform efforts. The product of their work can be seen across the full spectrum - from laws to implement the ACA to to the design of a person-centered approach and strong consumer engagement for the state's unique All-Payer Model. 
In 2015 Leni received the Families USA Consumer Health Advocate of the Year Award. 

Click here to read more about Consumer Health First. 

This event is sponsored by the Open Society Institute-Baltimore and is open to Maryland Philanthropy Network members and invited guests only. Light refreshments will be provided.