Michigan Health Policy Forum
A Non-Partisan Venue to Discuss Health Policy
Michigan Health Policy Forum
A Non-Partisan Venue to Discuss Health Policy
Hosted by Michigan State University
The Michigan Health Policy Forum is Pleased to Present the Fall 2025 Forum
"Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Justice: Reflecting on the Ethical Implications of the Big, Beautiful Bill"
Monday, October 20, 2025
1:00-3:30 PM
The Fall 2025 Michigan Health Policy Forum will be held on October 20, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Lansing Community College’s West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917.
Dr. Leonard Fleck, from MSU’s College of Human Medicine’s Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, will provide a presentation titled, “Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Justice: Reflecting on the Ethical Implications of the Big, Beautiful Bill”. Dr. Fleck’s presentation will focus on what policy makers, funders, system managers, providers and clinicians should keep in mind as they revise or implement policies and practices to address the service funding and eligibility challenges resulting from implementation of the Big, Beautiful Bill Act/H.R.1.
Dr. Fleck’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion where presenters will talk about how their organizations are engaging and preparing for addressing the coming impact of the Act. The afternoon’s presentation and discussion should provide a framework for conducting that work in an ethical, equitable and thoughtful way that considers the needs of the individuals the organization serves, their staff members and the broader community.
Please note that attendance at the Fall Forum will be in-person only. Attendance will be limited and there will be no concurrent live-streaming of the event. There is no cost to attend.
We hope you will be able to join us on October 20th. If you have any questions, please contact us at mhpf@msu.edu.
Registration has been closed due to being at maximum capacity. If you would like to be added to a waitlist, please email mhpf@msu.edu.
Speakers:
Leonard Fleck, PhD, Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics, Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, MSU College of Human Medicine
Leonard M. Fleck, PhD., is University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics in the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University. He has been a faculty member since 1985. He is the author of four books: Just Caring: Health Care Rationing and Democratic Deliberation (Oxford University Press, 2009); co-editor of Fair Resource Allocation and Rationing at the Bedside (Oxford University Press, 2015); Precision Medicine and Distributive Justice, Wicked Problems for Democratic Deliberation, (Oxford University Press, 2022); Bioethics, Public Reason and Religion: The Liberalism Problem (Cambridge University Press, 2022). In addition, he has 160 refereed articles and book chapters in a broad range of academic and professional journals. He has spoken at more than 700 professional conferences (state, national, international). In 2003, he was the recipient of a University Distinguished Faculty Award as well as a Distinguished Faculty Award from the College of Human Medicine. His primary areas of research include a broad range of issues related to health care justice and health policy (health care rationing, health care priority-setting, health care access, health care financing); the role of rational democratic deliberation in addressing health care rationing issues; ethical and policy issues related to emerging genetic knowledge and technologies, especially in relation to reproductive medicine; ethical and policy issues related to precision medicine (targeted cancer therapies, immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapy); social and political philosophy.
Dominick Pallone, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Health Plans
Dominick Pallone is the Executive Director for the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP), a Lansing based organization that represents 10 health plans who collectively provide coverage for more than 4 million Michiganders. MAHP’s mission is to provide leadership for the promotion and advocacy of high quality, accessible and equitable health care for the residents of Michigan.
Prior to joining MAHP, Dominick was a Partner at Midwest Strategy Group, a multi-client lobby firm where he specialized in health care, state appropriations, Medicaid, higher education, transportation, and state procurement. He has also served as staff within the state House and Senate, most notably as Committee Clerk for the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee.
Dominick earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Michigan State University, James Madison College.
Maribeth Leonard, MBA, LBSW, Chief Executive Officer, LifeWays
Maribeth Leonard is the Chief Executive Officer of LifeWays, providing an array of behavioral health services in Jackson and Hillsdale counties to individuals seeking services. She has served in various positions at LifeWays for nearly 31 years, and as CEO since 2012.
Maribeth holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Kansas State University, and an MBA from Spring Arbor University. Maribeth represents LifeWays with service on several regional and state-level committees.
Locally, Maribeth is a Board member of the Jackson Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. She is also a graduate of Leadership Jackson, a Jackson Health Improvement Organization Board member, a former Jackson Nonprofit Network Board member, a board member of the Michigan Association of Mental Health Board Executive Board, and participates in local events including the Alzheimer’s Walk, disAbility Connections fundraising and community awareness events, March of Dimes Walk, Exchange Club, Special Olympics Fund Raising events, Drug Summit on Heroin & Prescription Drug Abuse, the Jackson Suicide Coalition, Bridges to Justice initiative, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the annual Walk-a-Mile-in-My-Shoes rally at the state capitol, and United Way fundraising events.
Maribeth is passionate about recognizing signs of abuse, supporting individuals in crisis, and raising awareness of suicide. In addition, she strives to raise awareness of how childhood trauma impacts students in the classroom and its connection to mental health. She frequently speaks to audiences about understanding that recovery is not a one-size plan, but rather a process unique to each individual.
Maribeth is a visionary leader who expanded access to behavioral health and Substance Use Disorder services with the passing of a two-county Mental Health Millage. Most recently, LifeWays has achieved certification as a Michigan Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Site.
The mother of two as well as five step-sons and -daughters, Maribeth lives in Jerome, MI.
Phillip Bergquist, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Primary Care Association
Phillip Bergquist is the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) and Michigan Community Health Network (MCHN). Phillip provides executive direction for the Association and affiliated Clinically Integrated Network, spanning strategy, staff leadership, and resource management for a variety of supports and services to member organizations including value-based care delivery, health information technology, workforce, organizational resilience and sustainability, and government affairs and advocacy. Before serving as the Association’s CEO, Phillip held several healthcare leadership roles including as the Chief Operating Officer of MPCA, the Chief Operating Officer of Honor Community Health, a community health center serving the residents of Oakland County, MI, and as Manager of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Phillip completed his undergraduate degree at Rochester University and the Community Health Center Executive Fellowship at the University of Kansas.