In this webinar, attendees heard from Jennifer Malinowki, MS, PhD, Director, Access and Policy Research Scientific Affairs, Johnson & Johnson, and Rebecca (Becki) Hulinsky, MS, CGC, Director, Health Plan Genomics Strategy and Solutions, Quest Diagnostics, as they delved into the transformative potential of Cell and Gene Therapies (CGTs). These therapies are reshaping the healthcare landscape with their targeted approach to treating diseases, improving health outcomes, and in certain cases, offering cures.

The session highlighted the benefits of including CGT coverage in employer health plans. Such inclusion can serve as a significant benefit, attracting and retaining top talent while promoting better health outcomes for employees. CGTs are distinct from traditional therapies as they address diseases at their genetic or cellular level, rather than merely managing symptoms. By modifying a patient's cells or genes, these therapies can potentially cure or significantly alleviate certain conditions, offering hope to patients who were previously without effective treatment options.

Of course, the introduction of CGTs into the healthcare landscape is not without its challenges. These primarily revolve around manufacturing complexities and ensuring accessibility for all who could benefit from them. Employers can play a pivotal role in making these innovative therapies more accessible and available. If you were unable to join us on June 27th, you're in luck! The webinar was recorded and can be . You can also access the presentation by .

GPBCH employer and affiliate members learned about updates on Coalition activities, plans for the coming year, and also heard the announcement of the newly-elected members of the Board of Directors. We had a great turnout and appreciate all of our members continued interest and support in the Coalition!

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Our Employers Only Forums are a great time for employers to ask burning questions of other GPBCH employer members. We had another hour full of great discussions at this meeting!

Our 2024 Annual Conference had a GREAT turnout with nearly 270 attendees! Thank you to all of our speakers, sponsors and attendees for making this event possible and spending the day with us.

PDF Presentations are available and can be accessed below:

• 8:45 – 9:30 | MORNING KEYNOTE: Employers Taking the Reins to Advance Health and Value - Ashley Bacot, Rosensure ()
• 9:30 – 10:20 | Panel: Identifying Care Excellence - Jamie McLeod, Chief Growth Officer, Employer Direct Health Care (), Kirk Czonstka, Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Garner Health (), Ellen Riccobene, Senior Medical Director, Clinical Care Transformation and Population Health, Independence Blue Cross ()
• 10:20 – 10:40| Break and Exhibits
• 10:40 – 11:30 | Panel: In Pursuit of Primary Care Value - David Zeig, First Vice President, National Director Clinical Services, Alliant Insurance Services, Sarah Schenck, Executive Director, Christiana Care Center for Virtual Health, Thomas Grant, Executive Vice President for Financial Management, Woods System of Care
• 11:30 – 12:00 | New Jersey’s Statewide Effort to Advance Health Care Value - Shabnam Shalih, Director, Office of Health Care Transparency and Affordability, State of NJ ()
• 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch break and exhibits
• 1:00 – 1:45 | Everyone’s Talking AI, but What Does it Mean for Health and Benefits? - Ian Blunt, Vice President of Advanced Analytics, Highmark Health, Tyler Mincemoyer, Key Account Executive, Google, Ryan Malkes, Workforce Experience Advisor and Digital HR strategist, Mercer
• 1:45 – 2:05 | Saving Lives and Dollars: An Employer’s Guide for Comprehensive Cancer Care - Alicia Zhou, Ph.D, Chief Scientific Officer, Color ()
• 2:05 – 2:25 | Best Practices in Driving Value: GPBCH Health Benefits Innovation Awards ()
• 2:35 – 3:00 | Future-Proofing Your Pharmacy Benefit - Sunil Budhrani, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief Innovation and Medical Officer, Capital Rx ()
• 3:00 – 3:55 | AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Fiduciary Responsibility and Avoiding Litigation - Christin Deacon, Versan Consulting ()

This program recognized excellence in quality and safety performance of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware based on results from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Safety Grades and the Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey. The program featured a panel discussion on performance measures and patient safety and was preceded by a special session led by the Leapfrog Group on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey details. Copies of the presentations can be accessed below:

Professional photographs were taken throughout the event by - .

At the 2024 Women's Health Summit, attendees learned about best practices for benefits and well-being to support cancer prevention, healthy pregnancies and infants, fertility support, menopause, and mental health for women in the workforce. Copies of the presentations can be accessed below.

• Bridging the Gap: Evolving Benefits to Support Women’s Health Milestones | Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny (Click here for PDF Presentation)
• Supporting the Spectrum of Women’s Health Needs | Shelly Lanning, President, Visana Health (Click here for PDF Presentation)
• Improving Birth Outcomes | Randa Deaton, Vice President, Purchaser Business Group on Health (Click here for PDF Presentation)
• Panel: Supporting the Struggles of Working Women | Rebecca Warnken, Senior Vice President, Aon, Juliet Vestal, Corporate Vice President, Total Rewards, B. Braun Medical, Reetika Kumar, Vice President, Market Clinical Solutions, Independence Blue Cross, and Marsha Greene-Jones, Deputy Director, Employee Benefits, City of Philadelphia (Click here for PDF Presentation)
• The Weight of Caregiving: Exploring the Deep Impact on Women's Health | Julia Cohen Sebastien, Co-founder and CEO, Grayce (Click here for PDF Presentation)

Promoting a culture of health is vital to addressing diabetes and obesity in the workforce. Hosted by GPBCH, Delaware Health and Social Services, and Delaware SHRM Statewide Council, this program brings together Delaware employers and benefits advisors with experts and peers to address diabetes and obesity to come away with solutions to improve health and reduce costs. The program will feature presentations from subject matter experts, break-out sessions to utilize evidence-based tools for planning, and open discussion. Approved for 2.5 SHRM PDC credits.

In recognition of Sunday, February 4th as World Cancer Day, GPBCH hosted this member webinar on cancer screening. Edgar Chou, MD, MBA, Enterprise Medical Director for Employee Population Health and Value-based Care for Jefferson Health provided an overview of the current screening recommendations for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers, and also discussed other preventive strategies including HPV vaccination. New ideas were also presented for promoting participation in screening initiatives offered by employers.

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Employers Health, GPBCH’s preferred pharmacy benefit resource and solution, is an employer-led, group purchasing organization for pharmacy benefits with 350 clients in various industries nationwide. During this webinar, their pharmacy benefits experts provided insight on how pharmacy benefits are currently performing from a client testimonial by Panera Bread.

This informative webinar included:

• Overview of Employers Health with Mike Stull (Chief Sales Officer) & Chris Donley (RVP, Business Development)
• Client Case Study – Panera Bread with Taylor Conner (Director, Client Solutions) & Panera Bread team
• Anti-Obesity Medications overview with Courtney Keefe, Pharm D (Clinical Advisor)
• Legislative Updates with Madison Connor, J.D. (SVP, Regulatory Compliance and External Affairs)

To get insight and prepare for your next PBM RFP, contact Chris Donnelly, Employers Health, 330-309-7688, cdonley@employershealthco.com or email Tanika Smith, GPBCH, tsmith@gpbch.org.

January is a great time to build or improve your enterprise culture of health and wellbeing strategy. Dr. Ray, our long time medical advisor and recognized expert in population health, shared 5 evidence-based steps to take employees through to move them to greater health, wellbeing, vitality and healthcare engagement.

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