In this episode of The Benefits Brief, host David Saltzman sits down with newly installed NABIP President Mychal Walker to discuss his vision for the association and the priorities that will guide the year ahead. Mychal shares how NABIP is focused on strengthening financial stability, improving transparency and communication, expanding professional development, and enhancing advocacy efforts. He also highlights key initiatives across membership, technology, media, and leadership, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration as NABIP moves Forward Together to better serve members and advance the health insurance profession.

In the inaugural episode of The Benefits Brief—recorded live at the 2026 NABIP Annual Convention—host David Saltzman is joined by Katherine Hempstead, senior policy officer for healthcare at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Mike Smith, president of The Brokerage, Inc., for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of the health insurance ecosystem. Together, they explore the key trends shaping healthcare today, including rising costs, affordability, ACA marketplace dynamics, Medicare, ICHRAs, long-term care, AI, and the evolving role of benefits advisors. The conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry stands today and the policy, market, and innovation trends that will shape its future.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Jim Jusko, chief strategy officer at Excel Health Plans, to explore how hospital systems, provider networks, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) shape healthcare costs, competition, and consumer choice behind the scenes. Jim discusses the impact of consolidation, limited transparency, and anti-competitive practices on employers and consumers, while highlighting policy and market-based solutions that could improve affordability, increase competition, and create a more transparent healthcare system. He also shares his vision for a healthcare marketplace that better aligns incentives for employers, providers, and patients.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Dr. Efrat LaMandre ("Dr. E"), nurse practitioner, author, and healthcare advocate, to discuss the growing issue of medical gaslighting and why so many patients feel dismissed by the healthcare system. Dr. E explores how medical training, system incentives, and communication gaps can contribute to these experiences, while offering practical strategies to help patients advocate for themselves, build the right care team, and navigate healthcare more effectively. The conversation also highlights the role benefit advisors can play in helping consumers find answers and achieve better health outcomes.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Bianca Saul and Chris Vanderwolk of NABIP’s Employer Working Group to explore how member-driven ideas become real policy initiatives. They discuss the group’s role in identifying challenges facing employer-sponsored health plans and developing practical solutions that can be advanced at the state and national levels. The conversation highlights two model legislative proposals focused on healthcare transparency, cost management, and employer access to claims data, while also offering insight into how NABIP members can get involved in the advocacy process. Bianca and Chris share how collaboration, volunteer leadership, and grassroots engagement are helping shape the future of employer-sponsored healthcare.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Emily Trevino, senior managing partner at Wise Partners and a leader in NABIP’s Individual Working Group, to break down the new CMS Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule. Emily discusses how the rule aims to address fraud and enrollment issues in the ACA marketplace while creating new challenges for consumers, carriers, and brokers. The conversation covers tighter verification requirements, changes to premium tax credit reconciliation, shortened enrollment windows, and increased oversight of brokers and agents, along with practical strategies for benefits professionals preparing for the next enrollment season.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman speaks with communication expert and Annual Convention Keynote Speaker John Colby about how improvisation skills can improve communication, sales, leadership, and networking. John explains how improv techniques help professionals think on their feet, listen more effectively, handle objections, and build stronger relationships through authentic conversations and “Yes, and” thinking. The discussion also explores how these strategies can improve client interactions, team collaboration, and overall confidence in both business and personal settings.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Daniel Metcalf, president of CyberFin and co-leader of NABIP’s Cybersecurity & AI Task Force, to discuss how cyber threats and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping the health insurance and benefits industry. Daniel explains why the task force was created, the growing risks facing agencies and clients, and how increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks are targeting both businesses and vulnerable consumers. The conversation explores practical steps advisors can take to strengthen cybersecurity, comply with evolving regulations, and prepare incident response plans. Daniel also shares insights into how AI is transforming agency operations, improving scalability and client engagement, while highlighting the importance of responsible adoption, data protection, and maintaining the human relationships that remain central to the advisor role.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman continues his conversation with Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius, shifting the focus from retirement planning to the intersection of healthcare policy, advocacy, and politics. Drawing on his experience in Washington, D.C., Chris reflects on how healthcare and insurance policy are shaped over time and why persistence, member engagement, and in-district advocacy are essential to driving change. The discussion explores the role benefits professionals can play in shaping policy, the importance of political participation and PAC support, and the major funding and entitlement debates likely to impact Medicare, Social Security, and the broader benefits landscape in the years ahead. Chris emphasizes that advisors who stay informed and engaged will be better positioned to serve their clients and help influence the future of the industry.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius, to explore the critical gaps in retirement planning—particularly when it comes to healthcare and long-term care costs. Chris explains how a lack of financial literacy and avoidance of difficult conversations leave many Americans unprepared for the realities of aging, often leading to crisis-driven decisions. The discussion highlights the growing importance of income planning, managing debt, and understanding longevity risk, as well as the significant financial and emotional impact of long-term care on individuals and families. Chris also outlines practical strategies for both consumers and advisors, emphasizing the need for early planning, diversified financial tools, and a more holistic, solution-oriented approach to retirement readiness in this first installment of a two-part series.