4 Takeaways from Day 1 of HAP’s Leadership Summit
Day 1 focuses on hospital challenges, opportunities for advocacy
June 02, 2026
Challenging times require leaders to step up to the plate.
Day 1 of HAP’s Leadership Summit focused on the ways hospital leaders are evolving in response to H.R. 1 and a difficult health policy landscape. The two-day event in Hershey brings together hospital leaders from across the commonwealth to share best practices, discuss challenges, and identify opportunities for advocacy.
“It is a challenging time to be a hospital and health system leader,” said Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, president and CEO, WellSpan Health and chair of HAP’s Board of Directors. “But in times of crisis, we know that innovation accelerates.”
Marcus Whitney, founding partner, Jumpstart Health Investors, gave the keynote address for this year's summit, focusing on leading through change, aligning innovation with purpose, and strengthening hospitals’ roles as anchors of health and economic vitality.
Here are four takeaways from day one's preconference focused on leading through policy disruption.
Takeaway 1: True Transformation Takes Partnerships
Like other states, Pennsylvania is preparing to allocate funding for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Even before the RHTP, rural health has been a long-term priority, said Lindsey Mauldin, deputy chief of staff, Office of Governor Josh Shapiro.
Mauldin emphasized the need for partnerships to protect rural health care, highlighting efforts to bring stakeholders from across agencies, providers, and local communities together to preserve rural access.
“It’s time to think about health care delivery as a community-driven service, one that we all have a say in shaping for years to come,” Mauldin said.
Takeaway 2: Adapt Above All
The status quo will not work in the H.R. 1 era.
Hospitals are working to protect access to care and reduce the impact of the bill, a panel of Pennsylvania hospital leaders said. This includes:
• Retooling outreach to help patients maintain coverage amid federal policy changes
• Reenvisioning care through new technology and regional care models (telehealth, hospital at home) to help protect access
• Focusing on storytelling and communication to help lawmakers and the public understand the role hospitals play in their communities
• Pivoting in real-time to dramatic federal rule changes to 340B, Medicaid, and government programs
“Out of every crisis breeds opportunity,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, president, UPMC North Central Pa. and UPMC Williamsport.
Takeaway 3: Coverage No Longer Means Access
After years of improvement, Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate is trending up, and this poses significant concerns for patients and providers.
When patients lose coverage, they lose access to health care. Underinsurance—where patients have strict caps on coverage—adds another layer leading to more uncompensated care and bad debt. For high-cost infusion and oncology therapies, the stakes are even higher.
Durga Zally, system director of infusions and oncology, Geisinger Enterprise Pharmacy, outlined strategies to help patients maintain access. Zally said health systems need to ensure their financial assistance programs are sustainable, looking at both covered and excluded services.
Systems need to be proactive in this work and think across the board to address a growing issue.
“Coverage is no longer a reliable proxy to determine patient access,” she said.
Takeaway 4: Medicaid Disruption is Coming
Disruptive changes to Medicaid will require a community-wide response.
H.R. 1 means patients will struggle to maintain coverage. Hospitals will struggle to recoup the cost of care. Clinicians will lose connection with patients who may never come back.
Hospitals can use their electronic medical records to help keep patients updated, but they also need help from neighborhood organizations to help people stay informed of what’s coming, a panel of hospital leaders noted.
“We’re building the plane on the runway, and I’m sure there’s more we can do,” said Gene Gofman, chief financial officer, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Partnerships with Medicaid managed care organizations may help identify people who may be at risk of losing coverage amid new work requirements and additional eligibility checks.
Even with administrative Medicaid changes, policymakers still need to address the core issue: that hospitals are not reimbursed for the cost of care.
HAP thanks our dedicated sponsors, attendees, Achievement Award winners, and presenters for taking part in this year's summit. Be on the lookout for coverage in HAP's publications and on LinkedIn.