Ilene MacDonald

More than 1,600 health care professionals traveled to Orlando, Fla. last week for RISE National 2026, a three-day event that offered practical insights on Medicare Advantage, risk adjustment, Star ratings, member experience, and operational excellence.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent nearly three hours before the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday morning defending the Trump administration’s health agenda, fielding pointed questions on vaccines, Medicaid cuts, rural hospital funding, food policy, fraud enforcement, and the federal response to chronic disease. The hearing was scheduled to continue after a recess and Kennedy was also due to appear before the House Appropriation Committee on Tuesday a

Speakers at RISE National 2026 made it clear that the future of health care will be defined by trust, data modernization, proactive compliance, prevention, and a renewed focus on the human experience. Here are five lessons we took away from the sessions:

Dominique Wilkins’ keynote focused on his 27 year journey managing diabetes, his transition from elite athlete to patient advocate, and why discipline and belief remain central to his philosophy.

Megan Tinker, chief of staff for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), kicked off the final day of RISE National 2026 with a keynote presentation that emphasized regulators and the Medicare Advantage industry share the same mission: better value and better quality of care for patients.

The cardiologist at the Cone Health Medical Group in North Carolina was honored with the RISE Health Care Hero Award on Tuesday at the RISE Healthy Communities Summit.

RISE National 2026 kicked off Tuesday with a blockbuster lineup of keynote speakers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, United States Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. They offered a clear look at the forces reshaping Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and health care oversight. Here are the highlights from their sessions.

More than 300 marketing and sales professionals gathered in Las Vegas for this year’s Medicare Marketing & Sales Summit, to collaborate and shape the next generation of Medicare Advantage marketing, sales, and member experience. Here are highlights from this morning’s sessions.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on Wednesday questioned President Trump’s pick for Surgeon General, wellness influencer Casey Means, M.D., on a wide range of public health issues, including vaccines, chronic disease, reproductive health, environmental exposures, nutrition, ethical disclosures, and the role of technology in youth mental health.

During two congressional hearings on Thursday, five executives from the country's biggest health insurers suggested ways to improve affordability, expand access, and simplify the patient experience. While lawmakers disagreed over the causes of premium hikes, the CEOs emphasized policy changes and internal reforms they believe can meaningfully reduce costs across the system.

During hearings on health care affordability, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health and House Committee on Ways and Means zeroed in on Medicare Advantage, questioning insurance executives about prior authorization practices, hospital coverage disputes, alleged overbilling of the federal government, and the impact of consolidation on rural access.

RISE West 2025 left a lasting impact among attendees. Here are just a few of the reflections shared on LinkedIn following the three-day event:

One of the most popular sessions at RISE West 2025 was a panel discussion conducted in partnership with the Camden Coalition that featured three patient advocates who discussed their challenges within the health system and ways to improve member experience. Here are four of their suggestions:

The Honorable Christi A. Grimm, who served as the sixth inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services until January, reflected on her tenure, the historic work of the Office of Inspector General, and vulnerabilities in managed care during a fireside chat at RISE West 2025.

Lawmakers on Tuesday expressed concerns with Medicare Advantage during a joint hearing of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health & Oversight. of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health & Oversight. Indeed, one representative referred to the alternative to traditional Medicare as “Medicare Disadvantage.” And several have introduced legislation aimed at improving and protecting the program.

Robby Sikka, M.D., NBA physician and technology innovator, opened the third day of RISE National 2025 with a keynote address on how artificial intelligence can address the aging population’s unique challenges.

Dr. Amy Boutwell receives RISE’s 2024 prestigious quality award

Christi A. Grimm, the sixth inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told RISE National attendees on Tuesday that the risk of health care fraud is real and Medicare Advantage plans must make compliance a top priority.

The first full day of RISE West 2020 is on the books and what a day we had!