2025 Spring Policy Conference Hub
Wednesday, March 26
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ET)
How will the Trump Administration Approach Benefits Policy?
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. (ET)
As the Trump Administration nears its 100th day in office, understanding its approach to employee benefits is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and workers alike. This panel will feature perspectives from officials and commentators on likely changes to health care, retirement, paid leave, and other relevant policies. Experts will discuss proposals such as altering tax incentives for employee benefits, and new regulations (or deregulation!) that would affect employee benefits. ERIC members will gain insights into the new administration’s priorities and plans, and how ERIC and our members can navigate and adapt to potential policy shifts.
Retirement Policy in a New Washington: Can the Bipartisanship Continue?
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. (ET)
Retirement policy has typically remained a bastion of bipartisanship, but will that historical trend continue in the 119th Congress? Retirement policy has been discussed in the context of tax reform, environmental and social policy, and even national security, and it’s possible that retirement policy could be swept up in the fray. What are the priorities for key policymakers? What legislative threats and opportunities does the retirement community have in the coming year? And just how likely is change? Join our panel of experts from Capitol Hill to discuss the legislative landscape in the new Congress.
Health Policy Deciders: Navigating the Future of Health Care with Congressman Buddy Carter
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ET)
Listen in on a “fireside chat” with Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) to hear more about his agenda as chair of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. With a background in pharmacy, Congressman Carter will discuss key health policy issues impacting employer-sponsored benefits plans, including PBM reform and drug prices, transparency, health care competition, and more.
Thursday, March 27
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (ET)
AI Powered Benefits: Disrupting the Status Quo or Enhancing Employee Benefits? Navigating the Future of AI Trends Impacting Employee Benefits, Legislative Frameworks, and Agency Engagement
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. (ET)
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes ever present in modern workplaces and benefits departments, understanding the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding its use is more critical than ever. This panel will delve into the latest trends in AI adoption, specifically examining its impact on employee benefits, and compliance requirements. Experts will explore how federal and state laws are evolving to address AI-related challenges, from privacy concerns to ethical considerations, and how regulatory agencies are shaping policy. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the current AI landscape, the potential for future legislation, and the role of regulators in this new AI age.
Health Policy in 2025: Major Battles and Opportunities Incoming
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. (ET)
As the 119th Congress inherits a great deal of unfinished business from the last Congress, and is thrust into the challenge of offsetting costs related to significant new tax legislation, health policy is set to be a major focus and flashpoint this year. This panel will examine key health policies and legislative efforts likely to be addressed by the current Congress, offering insights into what may lie ahead for the rest of the year. Capitol Hill staff will share their perspective and help ERIC members gain a deeper understanding of the current state of play, the obstacles that lawmakers face, and the potential pathways for change that will directly affect employee benefit plans.
Policy Bottlenecks Restricting Access to Health Care
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (ET)
While the COVID era highlighted severe health care provider shortages across the country, Americans continue to face a deficit of physicians and medical professionals to whom they can turn for care. Employee benefits plans have fewer and fewer options to provide care for their workforces. Meanwhile, many state policies currently in effect make these problems worse by creating geographic restrictions on medical services, requiring certificates of public need to create or expand sites of care, and otherwise applying arbitrary standards to medical providers. Join our panel of policy experts, employers, and advocates for an in-depth discussion of key policies that drive up prices and limit public access to health care services.
Reining In the Administrative Agencies— An Interim Report
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (ET)
In Washington, D.C., there is a new President, a new Congress, and a new relationship between the administrative state and regulated communities. Commentators shared many predictions about the far-reaching effects of the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright on the agencies and rulemaking, but have they come true? What practical effects, if any, have we observed since the elimination of Chevron deference? How might the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget approach regulation in this new world? What early returns do we have from the courts, and what might the benefits community see next? Join our panel of experts to take stock of the recent changes to the administrative state.
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*ERIC Antitrust Statement: As a reminder, all ERIC meetings and activities are to be conducted in full compliance with the ERIC Antitrust Policy. The antitrust laws prohibit competitors from agreeing on prices to be charged or otherwise taking steps that harm free and fair competition among them. While ERIC’s primary mission and activities are entirely consistent with the antitrust laws, if you have any concerns about a particular topic or discussion, please raise it with ERIC staff.