Powers’ Dianne Pledgie and Carrie Riley will present at the PACHC Annual Conference & Clinical Summit on Tuesday, October 13, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dianne will lead a session on upcoming Medicaid changes, and Dianne and Carrie will co-present a two-part legal and compliance deep dive focused on key developments affecting Community Health Centers.
See session information below.
10:00 AM-11:15 AM | Navigating the First Wave of HR 1 Medicaid Changes
Presented by Dianne Pledgie
Description: Beginning January 1, 2027, major federal policy changes under HR 1 will reshape Medicaid eligibility and enrollment processes nationwide. New requirements, including work reporting requirements for certain Medicaid expansion adults and semiannual eligibility redeterminations for individuals enrolled through the Medicaid expansion population, will significantly affect how states administer coverage and how patients maintain access to care.
This session will provide a federal and state-level perspective on the first phase of HR 1 implementation and the steps states are taking to operationalize these new requirements. Participants will gain insight into the potential implications for Community Health Centers, including impacts on enrollment and renewal workflows, coverage continuity, eligibility verification, patient outreach, and access to care. Speakers will also share practical strategies health centers can use to prepare for implementation, strengthen enrollment assistance efforts, and support patients as they navigate new reporting and renewal requirements. Attendees will leave with actionable approaches to reduce coverage disruptions and position their organizations for success in an evolving policy environment.
12:45 PM-2:15 PM | The 2026 Health Center Legal & Compliance Deep Dive (Part 1)
2:30 PM-4:00 PM | The 2026 Health Center Legal & Compliance Deep Dive (Part 2)
Presented by Dianne Pledgie and Carrie Riley
Description: This two-part session provides a practical, up-to-date examination of the legal and regulatory developments shaping health center operations in 2026. Participants will explore recent and anticipated changes to HRSA Health Center Program requirements and their implications for scope of project compliance, operational site visits, and grant oversight. The session will also review current federal enforcement trends under the False Claims Act, with a focus on billing and coding audits, grant terms and conditions, and other key risk areas. Attendees will gain insight into evolving privacy and confidentiality requirements, including updates to HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and related laws affecting data sharing and patient records management. Through real-world examples and actionable guidance, participants will learn how to translate complex legal and regulatory developments into practical compliance strategies and priorities for the year ahead.
About PACHC
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) represents and supports Community Health Centers and other safety-net providers across Pennsylvania. PACHC works to strengthen access to high-quality, affordable health care through advocacy, education, technical assistance, and resources for its members and the communities they serve. To learn more about PACHC, visit https://pachc.org/.
About Powers’ Community Health Centers Practice
Powers’ Community Health Centers practice advises health centers and related organizations on the legal, regulatory, and operational issues that affect their work. Our team provides practical counsel on HRSA requirements, compliance, reimbursement, federal grants, 340B, privacy, and other matters critical to health center operations. To learn more about Powers’ work with Community Health Centers, visit https://www.powerslaw.com/practicearea/community-health-centers/.