Health care is becoming more expensive, less competitive and less responsive to patients. Even as the costs of drugs, diagnostics, and technology-enabled services fall, patients and employers often don’t see the savings. This event will examine practical steps state governments can take now to lower costs, expand consumer choice, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem behind future cures.
States can increase access to affordable coverage by removing regulatory barriers that limit competition. Michigan could join other states in rethinking health insurance rules to avoid some of the Affordable Care Act’s most costly mandates—offering lower premiums, broader networks, and more flexible coverage without changing federal law. At the same time, as drug development is reshaped by advances such as gene and cell therapies, AI-driven discovery, and modern manufacturing, state policies can either accelerate or hinder innovation.
Together, these reforms reflect a shift away from one-size-fits-all federal solutions toward state-led experimentation—showing that states can reduce costs, expand options, and give patients more control without waiting for Washington.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Breakfast Buffet: 8:00am - 8:30am
Program: 8:30am - 9:30am
The Louie Building (6th floor)
123 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI, 48933
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Event is free, but RSVP is necessary by May 11.
Register online
Naomi Lopez brings over 30 years of experience and is a nationally recognized health care policy expert. She is founder and principal of Nexus Policy Consulting, an adjunct scholar at the Mackinac Center, a senior fellow at the Goldwater Institute, and a Public Advisor at Paragon Health Institute. Naomi is the co-founder of the AI in Healthcare Working Group and is regularly featured in the national media. She has penned hundreds of scholarly articles, studies and commentaries. She holds a B.A. in economics from Trinity University, Texas, and an M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University.
Michael F. Cannon is the Cato Institute’s director of health policy studies. His scholarship spans public health; regulation of clinicians, medical facilities, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; employer-sponsored and other private health insurance; Medicare; Medicaid; CHIP; the Veterans Health Administration; medical malpractice litigation; administrative law; international health systems; political philosophy; and more. Cannon is “an influential health‐care wonk” (Washington Post) and “the most famous libertarian health care scholar” (Washington Examiner). Washingtonian magazine named Cannon one of Washington, DC’s Most Influential People in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Jarrett Skorup is the vice president for marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He has held various roles with the communications department including senior director of marketing and communications, and director of the Frank Beckmann Center for Journalism within the Center. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Fox News, National Public Radio, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and many other publications across the country. He joined the Mackinac Center in 2009 after graduating from Grove City College with degrees in history and political science.
