Federal and State Legislative Trends in 2026
Tuesday, September 29
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM (ET)
The legislative and regulatory landscape continues to evolve rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges for dental plans, providers, and industry stakeholders. This session will provide a comprehensive update on the most significant federal and state policy developments shaping the dental benefits industry in 2026. Attendees will gain insight into emerging legislative and regulatory trends, including key actions by lawmakers, regulators, and state agencies that may affect dental coverage, provider networks, reimbursement, compliance requirements, and consumer protections. The discussion will examine how these developments are influencing the broader healthcare environment and what they could mean for the future of dental benefits. Looking ahead, the session will also explore policy issues expected to gain momentum in 2027, helping attendees identify potential risks, opportunities, and areas where proactive planning may be needed. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the evolving policy landscape and practical insights to help their organizations prepare for what lies ahead.
Bernard LaPine
Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs
Highmark, Inc
Bernard joined Highmark in 2014 and is responsible for legislative affairs activities for Highmark’s dental subsidiary, United Concordia Dental and for its stop loss subsidiary, HM Insurance Group. Bernard also manages Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and commercial compliance programs for United Concordia Dental. Bernard has worked in the health insurance industry for over 25 years, serving in a variety of regulatory, compliance and legislative roles. He has experience providing regulatory and legislative support for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans with operations in multiple states, including Aetna, Coventry Health Care and Mid-Atlantic Medical Services. In addition to serving on the CADP Board of Directors and CADP Legislative and Regulatory Committee, Bernard is Chair of the NADP Government Relations Workgroup and is a member of the NADP PAC Committee and the NADP Government Funded Workgroup. He also participates in several other insurance-related associations, including the Alliance of Maryland Dental Plans, the Self-Insurance Institute of America, and America’s Health Insurance Plans. Bernard graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and received his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School. He is a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Pennsylvania.
Jaci Strube
Director of Advocacy for the Workplace Benefits Division
Principal Financial Group
Jaci Strube is Director of Advocacy for the Workplace Benefits Division at Principal Financial Group, where she leads advocacy efforts across a broad portfolio of products, including dental, vision, life, disability, paid family and medical leave, accident, critical illness, and individual disability benefits. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, she works from the company's global headquarters and helps shape policy strategies that support employers, consumers, and the benefits industry. With more than 16 years of experience at Principal, Jaci has held leadership roles across claims, business operations, information technology, and project management, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to advocacy and public policy. Jaci is actively involved in several industry organizations and currently serves on the California Association of Dental Plans (CADP) Board of Directors. She is also a member of CADP's Legislative and Regulatory Committee, NADP's Government Relations Workgroup and Commission on Advocacy Policy, and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Dental Committee. In addition, she participates in several industry groups focused on supplemental benefits and insurance policy issues. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Jaci is a dedicated advocate for individuals living with cystic fibrosis. She serves in multiple leadership roles with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including the National Leadership Council, and previously served as the Foundation's National Advocacy Co-Chair. She also helped establish the bipartisan Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus by working with Senators Chuck Grassley and Ed Markey to launch the initiative. Jaci's leadership and contributions have earned numerous recognitions, including Principal's Working Mother of the Year award, the Des Moines Business Record's 40 Under 40 distinction, and selection as an ACLI Rising Leader. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Media and Journalism from the University of South Dakota.
Lisa K. Layman
Principal
Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, PC
Lisa K. Layman is a principal at Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C., with decades of health care policy experience shaped by her work on Capitol Hill and with a wide range of health care constituencies. Her deep understanding of legislative strategy and regulatory processes makes her a trusted advisor to lawmakers, staff and federal agencies across party lines. Layman represents providers, manufacturers, associations and other health care stakeholders before Congress and the executive branch, offering policy expertise grounded in real-world experience. She spent 11 years as a senior staffer in the U.S. Senate, advising Sens. Debbie Stabenow, Bob Graham, Richard Bryan and John Chafee on complex health issues including Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs, insurance and public health. She also worked at the Congressional Budget Office on legislative cost estimates. In the private sector, Layman served as vice president for government affairs at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, where she led public policy and advocacy efforts for the generic drug industry. Before joining Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, she was a principal in a national government relations practice focused on advancing health care policy priorities. Layman holds master’s degrees in public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College.
Bianca Balale
Director of Government Relations
National Association of Dental Plans
Bianca joined NADP in 2023, bringing 10 years of experience working in government and healthcare. Prior to joining NADP, she served as the Director of Quality and Compliance at a non-profit behavioral health facility focused on integrated care and as a congressional staff member in the state of Ohio. Bianca earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Youngstown State University and a Master of Public Health from Kent State University with a focus in Public Policy and Management.
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