2023 ANCOR Policy Summit & Hill Day

This agenda is tentative and subject to change.

Monday, October 9

5:30-6:30 pm
Advocacy Teams Meet Up

Our advocacy is stronger when our voices come together, which is why we establish Advocacy Teams for our annual Hill Day. In this fast-paced orientation session, you’ll have the chance to get meet the other members of your Advocacy Team and get to know each other through a fun team-building exercise. From there, you’ll get a preview of the agenda for this year’s Hill Day. You’ll also get access to all of the tools you need for successful advocacy visits on Capitol Hill, including an introduction to the app we’ll be using to enhance our efforts, key talking points for engaging with legislators, and answers to questions you may have as you get comfortable with communicating our message to lawmakers.

7-9 pm
ICF Community of Practice Dinner

Tuesday, October 10

8-9 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast

9-9:40 am
Summit Kickoff: Anchoring Our Advocacy

The 2023 Policy Summit & Hill Day takes place at a pivotal moment, with a divided Congress, narrow margins in both Chambers, and a forthcoming presidential election season that will soon be in high gear. Luckily, ANCOR’s commitment to bipartisanship has proven time and again to be a key ingredient in our success. To kickstart this year’s fall policy gathering, ANCOR’s Government Relations leaders will take stock of where our advocacy has led us over the past year and preview the path forward for advancing key issues on the horizon.

Speakers:

• Yadira Holmes, Consumer Direct Care Network
• Lori Kress, Dungarvin
• Barbara Merrill, ANCOR
• Josh Rael, Alliance

9:40-10:30 am
Morning Keynote: Disability Policy in the Biden White House

Start your day with an informative keynote presentation delivered by Rachel Patterson, Director of Disability Policy for the White House Domestic Policy Council. Patterson will provide valuable insights into the Biden administration’s priorities and initiatives for advancing a disability agenda that works for all. Her keynote address will cover the progress made so far and highlight how the White House is envisioning a future that prioritizes disability inclusion across an array of sectors.

Speaker:

• Rachel Patterson, White House Domestic Policy Council

10:45-11:45 am
Federal Rulemaking: How Agency Actions Impact Community-Based Providers

This year, ANCOR led a strong advocacy campaign in response to the proposed HCBS Access Rule from CMS. But that rule is just one of the pressing regulations that ANCOR is tracking. During this session, we will cover other proposed rules from CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor, all of which have the potential to impact providers across the country. ANCOR’s Government Relations team will delve into the federal rulemaking process and lead a discussion of these proposed and upcoming rules, including how you can take action.

Speakers:

• Elise Aguilar, ANCOR
• Noah Block, ANCOR
• Lydia Dawson, ANCOR

11:45 am-1 pm
Lunch & Presentation of the 2023 Excellence in Public Policy Awards

Past Summit participants tell us that among all the things they love about this event, two are among the fan favorites: networking and celebrating! To give the people what they want, we’ll start with an unstructured networking lunch. From there, we’ll spend some time honoring the inspiring recipients of ANCOR’s 2023 Excellence in Public Policy Awards. Besides a delicious lunch, you’ll walk away having enjoyed some inspiring stories, and you’ll have made a few new contacts, too!

1-1:30 pm
Break

1:30-2:30 pm
Afternoon Keynote Address: Politics with a Punch

Successful advocacy initiatives require keen and timely insights, which makes our afternoon keynote speaker the perfect addition to the Policy Summit mainstage. Jake Sherman, Co-Founder & CEO of Punchbowl News is a renowned journalist and political commentator known for his insightful analysis and coverage of the politics and policies that define Capitol Hill. In his keynote address, Sherman will take us behind the scenes of the political landscape, providing his unique perspective on the current state of affairs in Washington, particularly in the disability and human services sectors.

Speaker:

• Jake Sherman, Punchbowl News

2:30-3:20 pm
Bipartisan Policymaking in the 118th Congress

This dynamic panel discussion will bring together leading staff from both sides of the aisle and both chambers of Congress who have been instrumental in shaping disability policy in the 118th Congress. Together, they’ll consider the importance of bipartisanship in disability policy and highlight key legislative initiatives that have garnered bipartisan support. Panelists will also share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead and shed light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that makes bipartisan legislation possible.

Speakers:

• Seth Gold, U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee
• Marielle Kress, U.S. Senate Finance Committee
• Stuart Portman, U.S. Senate Finance Committee
• Rick Van Buren, U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee
• Elise Aguilar, ANCOR (moderator)
• Al Guida, Guide Consulting (moderator)

3:30-4:20 pm
What’s New, Now & Next in the Federal Regulatory Landscape

Even five months after the public health emergency officially ended, a range of regulatory flexibilities remains in place to help states navigate the winding down of the pandemic and make permanent those flexibilities that have enabled lasting positive change. Meanwhile, federal agencies are looking ahead to what comes next as the service delivery system of today looks fundamentally different than what we’ve seen before. In this session, two long-time friends of the ANCOR community will discuss how their influential federal agencies are thinking about the current landscape of services and their priorities for supporting inclusive communities moving forward.

Speakers:

• Alison Barkoff, Administration for Community Living
• Melissa Harris, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

4:30-5:30 pm
Networking Reception featuring The Capitol Fools!

We’ll kick off the evening’s activities with a reception full of laughter and fun at our networking reception featuring The Capitol Fools, a renowned comedy troupe specializing in political satire. The Capitol Fools will deliver their signature blend of comedy and political commentary, poking fun at the latest headlines and political happenings in a light-hearted and entertaining way. Their clever sketches and witty improvisations will have you LOLing, giving you fodder to network with colleagues after the performance. Exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and meet your favorite new comedy troupe!

6-8 pm
ANCOR DC PAC Event

To receive information about this event, you must opt into communications from the ANCOR DC PAC. Opt in by completing this form or email Elise Aguilar for more information.

Wednesday, October 11

7:30-8:30 am
Power-Up Advocacy Breakfast on the Hill

Grab your breakfast to-go from the lobby of the Hyatt, and then head over to the Capitol building, where ANCOR’s community of advocates will meet up to kick off a day full of hundreds of advocacy visits. Together, we’ll recap the advocacy app, refresh your memory on key talking points, and help you ensure you feel fully comfortable with the logistics that will make for a successful Hill Day.

8:30 am-5 pm
Capitol Hill Visits

Hill visit times will vary. We are working to schedule your visits with congressional offices using Advocacy Associates. More information to come soon.

2:30-3:30 pm
Special Congressional Briefing on the DSP Workforce

7:15-10 pm
Moonlight Monuments Trolley Tour of DC

Unwind after a long day of Hill Visits and join ANCOR for a moonlight monuments trolley tour of DC! Our group will be picked up from the Summit hotel at 7:15 pm. Pre-registration is required.

After you register for the Summit, purchase your Moonlight Monuments tickets to join our ANCOR group! Enter the promo code “ANCOR” to receive a 20% discount.

Thursday, October 12

Optional opportunities to engage and explore DC with the ANCOR team. Advanced registration is required.

7-8 am
Coffee with Al Guida & ANCOR’s Government Relations Team

9-11 am
Morning Walk & Talk: Explore the National Mall with Barbara & the ANCOR Team

11:30 am-1 pm
Networking Lunch at One of Two D.C. Staples: Enjoy Art & Soul or The Dubliner