Health Care Affordability Week of Action
Health Care Affordability Symposium
July 20, 2026 | Washington, DC | 11:30 AM to 2 PM
On Monday, July 20 at 11:30 am ET, Families USA is hosting an in-person Health Care Affordability Symposium featuring bipartisan speakers including experts from Capitol Hill, Administration officials, think tanks, and consumer and community advocates.
The organization is holding the event during its Health Care Affordability Week of Action to call attention to America’s long-standing health care affordability crisis that has left millions of families and patients struggling to afford care. As Congress considers new proposals to oversee hospital prices, Medicare Advantage plans, and other policies, now is the time to advance an affordability agenda that will take on unchecked corporate greed — the root cause of this crisis.
![](https://familiesusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SophiaT-AlecA_Speaker-Graphics_Social-Symposium-Invite_-1200-x-1200-px-1.png")
Symposium Agenda
11:00 AM
Doors OpenNetworking, lunch available
11:30 AM
Welcome and Opening RemarksDeborah Bachrach, Board Chair, Families USA
Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Families USA
11:45 AM
Keynote AddressNamrata Uberoi, Executive Director, Healthcare Cost and Affordability, West Health
12:00 PM
Fireside ChatAlec Aramanda, Principal Deputy Director, Center for Medicare, CMS
Sophia Tripoli, Senior Director of Health Policy, Families USA
12:35 PM
Panel: Addressing Costs and Affordability in Medicare Advantage & Drug PricingAfton Cissell, Chief of Staff, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-TX-37
Rushika Fernandopulle, Board Member, Families USA
Dory Finney, Health Policy Advisor, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY-14
Natasha Murphy, Director Health Policy, Center for American Progress
Brendan Rose, Government Affairs Director, AARP
1:10 PM
BreakCoffee, tea served
1:15 PM
Panel Introductory RemarksCynthia Fisher, Chairman and Founder, Patient Rights Advocate
1:20 PM
Panel: Solutions to High Hospital PricingBenedic Ippolito, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Member, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)
Max Seltzer, Health Policy Director, Senator Roger Marshall, R-KS
Alexandra Spratt, Vice President of Health Care, Arnold Ventures, Moderator
Jen Taylor, Senior Director of Government Relations, Families USA
1:55 PM
Closing RemarksSophia Tripoli, Senior Director of Health Policy, Families USA
*Additional speakers to be announced
TAKE ACTION
Week of Action
Americans are facing an affordability crisis, with millions forced to make impossible choices between paying for health care and other basic needs. Families USA knows now is the time to advance an affordability agenda, which is why we are holding a Health Care Affordability Week of Action.
Symposium
Join Families USA other advocates on Monday, July 20, from 11:30 am – 2 pm ET for our Health Care Affordability Symposium at our offices in Washington, D.C.
Registration is first come, first served. Space is limited.
TUESDAY: Digital Day of Action
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Hill Days
Families USA will be meeting with Members of Congress to advocate for action on legislation to advance health care affordability. We highly encourage partners and advocates to also request meetings with your Members. Our affordability agenda below can serve as a guide for your Member conversations:
Sponsors
