FIRESIDE CHAT 2026 | Facing the Future Together: Health Systems and Lawmakers Confront the Tough Questions – Part 2!

Join Paul Keckley, Managing Editor of The Keckley Report; Healthcare Industry Analyst, Investor and Futurist, and Jared Augenstein, Senior Managing Partner, Manatt, for another 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 is a continuation of their May 21, 2026 Fireside Chat!

They 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.

Furthermore, 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.