Pictured left to right: Greg Gierer, founder and managing principal of Hilltop Health Policy Advisors; Ellen Sexton, EVP and chief growth officer at Blue Shield of California; and Kim Kockler, SVP of Government Affairs at IBX
Kimberly Kockler, senior vice president of Government Affairs, and Julie Bogorad, director of the Office of Public Policy at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), delivered expert insights during featured sessions at the Fierce Health Payer Summit, December 3 and 5.
In the keynote session, Medicare and Medicaid: What’s Next?, Kockler discussed the unprecedented number of health policy changes at the federal level and the impact to state programs and budgets. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between states and health insurers to navigate evolving policies and maintain access to high quality care. The session highlighted how government programs continue to shape the future of coverage and care delivery.
Bogorad spoke in the panel, What Federal Changes Mean for the Individual Marketplace, where she highlighted the current uncertainty facing the individual market and raised concerns that many consumers fear losing access to affordable coverage due to federal policy changes affecting premium tax credits. The discussion explored how federal policy shifts may affect both insurers and consumers in the individual market.
Celebrating its 60th year, the Fierce Health Payer Summit brought together more than 300 insurance leaders to explore industry challenges and emerging opportunities. Discussions focused on topics like utilization management, member engagement, and culturally responsive care.
Industry leaders gather at the 2025 Fierce Health Payer Summit. Pictured left to right: Paige Minemyer, senior writer for Fierce Healthcare; Blair Fjeseth, president and CEO of Mountain Health Co-op; Julie Bogorad, director of the Office of Public Policy at IBX; and Catherine Grason, associate general counsel at Oscar Health.
