Navigating Open Enrollment for Private Insurance This Fall

Speakers: Aaron Blocker, Matt Delaney, Miriam Goldstein, Johanna Gray 

Description: With open enrollment just around the corner -- and with many changes coming  out of Washington DC and state capitols -- preparing for changes to Marketplace and employers-sponsored insurance and navigating options for coverage is more important than ever. Join the NBDF public policy team and our friends at the Artemis Policy Group to learn about  important updates and what you should do now to prepare for 2026  coverage.

About the Speakers

Aaron Blocker is the senior director of patient access at NBDF. Aaron holds a master of science in biomedical research and currently serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council. He previously worked as a data and analytics consultant for a hospital system, where he focused on leveraging data to improve patient outcomes. His career has spanned various areas of health care, including roles at a health insurance company and an employee benefits broker. As an ultra-rare disease patient himself, Aaron’s work is not only professionally meaningful but also deeply personal.

Johanna Gray is a principal at Artemis Policy Group, a health policy and association management firm in Washington, DC.  She works with clients, including patient advocacy groups and associations of specialized treatment centers, to develop and implement successful advocacy strategies involving Congress and federal public health agencies. She has served as a federal policy advisor to NBDF since 2007.

Miriam Goldstein joined the Artemis Policy Group as a senior policy advisor in August 2024 after more than seven years at Hemophilia Federation of America. Miriam focuses on federal and state policies impacting patient access to coverage, access to care, and affordability. Over the course of her legislative and regulatory work, Miriam has developed expertise in the Affordable Care Act and insurance reform, Medicaid eligibility and program requirements and other keystones of the health policy landscape.

Matt Delaney is the government relations manager at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, advocating on behalf of NBDF chapters and patients on state policy in 23 states, and federally on blood and product safety priorities. Prior to joining NBDF, Matt served as a legislative aide in the New York State Senate, and in behavioral health policy and intergovernmental relations for New York State. Within his federal role, Matt coordinated activities of the American Plasma Users Coalition (APLUS), focusing on plasma safety and supply. Matt has VWD type IIA and a platelet disorder.

Here are tools and resources referenced in the webinar.

1. You can find helpful worksheets and general advice on choosing and using health insurance in the NBDF Personal Health Insurance Toolkit.
2. The Keep Americans Covered website includes an interactive map that allows you to see how much premiums could increase in your state, unless Congress acts to extend the enhanced advance premium tax credits.
3. Please join NBDF in calling on Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits using NBDF’s advocacy platform – it only takes two minutes!
4. Learn more about alternative funding programs from this Hemophilia Alliance/Cancer Care resource.
5. Print out NBDF’s tips for Preparing for Marketplace Open Enrollment (Fall 2025).