Fireside Chat | Facing the Future Together: Health Systems and Lawmakers Confront the Tough Questions

Join Paul Keckley, Managing Editor of The Keckley Report; Healthcare Industry Analyst, Investor and Futurist, and Jared Augenstein, Senior Managing Partner, Manatt, for a candid Fireside Chat on the growing tension—and shared responsibility—between health system leaders and policymakers. As scrutiny intensifies around hospital performance, pricing, executive compensation, tax status, and community benefit, the need for transparent, fact-based dialogue has never been greater.

This discussion will explore why some health systems are thriving while others struggle, and what lawmakers need to understand about the operational, financial, and clinical complexities shaping these outcomes. At the same time, it will challenge health system leaders to engage directly and honestly with policymakers on issues of affordability, accountability, and public trust.

Looking ahead, the conversation will examine how hospitals must evolve in response to accelerating change—from AI-enabled care and shifting disease patterns to workforce redesign, consumer expectations, and the pursuit of true “systemness.” Participants will gain perspective on how collaboration between industry and government can shape a more sustainable, equitable future for U.S. healthcare.