FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. — The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), the leading association advancing policy for improving mental health and substance use disorder services, announced that registration is open for the 2026 ABHW Annual Summit, taking place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center at KFF in Washington, D.C.
The one-day national summit will convene behavioral health leaders, policymakers, innovators, and advocates from across the country to advance whole-person care and strengthen the future of behavioral health. Grounded in ABHW’s vision of a nation where everyone has access to timely, high-quality, and evidence-based behavioral health care, the conference will spotlight policies, partnerships, and solutions shaping a more integrated and coordinated system, one in which behavioral health is valued on par with physical health.
“Behavioral health policy directly shapes whether people can get care when and where they need it,” said ABHW President and CEO Debbie Witchey. “The ABHW Annual Summit, back after a one-year hiatus, brings together leaders who are focused on practical solutions that strengthen the workforce, improve crisis response, support integrated care, and reduce unnecessary barriers to treatment. It’s a valuable forum for learning, collaboration, and advancing policies that improve the quality, coordination, and integration of mental health and substance use disorder care for communities across the country.”
Throughout the day, attendees will engage with national experts on the most pressing issues facing the behavioral health field, including timely policy and regulatory developments, innovations that support whole-person care, sustainable financing, and effective integrated care models. Sessions will also highlight initiatives that are driving measurable improvements in behavioral health outcomes across public and private sectors, impacting millions of people nationwide. In keeping with ABHW’s long-standing commitment to education, advocacy, and stigma reduction, the conference will showcase evidence-based approaches and policy solutions that strengthen the behavioral health system and promote equitable access to care.
Keynote Highlight
The conference will feature a keynote session, “Deep Dive: Behavioral Health Policy and Innovation,” delivered by Cara A. McNulty, DPA, CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health.
Drawing on more than a decade of progress, Dr. McNulty’s keynote will examine the evolution of behavioral health from growing national awareness to significant policy shifts, expanded access, and advances in parity. The session will explore innovations reshaping care delivery, including crisis care, and look ahead to the policy, clinical, and technological opportunities that can drive the next generation of improvement. Attendees will gain a clear perspective on what’s working, what remains unfinished, and where the greatest potential lies to build a more equitable, accessible, and person-centered behavioral health system.
Dr. McNulty is a nationally recognized health scientist and leader whose work spans the employer, government, payer, provider, start-up, and education sectors. Prior to her role at Vibrant Emotional Health, she served in senior leadership positions at CVS Health, Willis Towers Watson, and Target, advancing population well-being and mental health access nationwide.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Location: Barbara Jordan Conference Center at KFF
1330 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Registration:
Register online at: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=866340&
About the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW)
ABHW is the leading health plan association working to reduce stigma and improve access and quality of care for mental health and substance use disorders. ABHW’s members include national and regional health plans that care for 200 million people. By advocating and promoting solutions to ensure everyone has access to high quality, evidence-based care, ABHW is focused on reducing disparities and ensuring better outcomes for whole-person care for all individuals and communities. ABHW member companies include Aetna, a CVS Health Company; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Carelon Behavioral Health, an Elevance Health Company; Centene Corporation; Evernorth; Kaiser Permanente; Lucet; Magellan Health; Molina Healthcare; Optum; and PerformCare, a subsidiary of AmeriHealth Caritas.
Media Contact:
Name: Angela Lee
Title: Director of Communications and Programs
Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness
Email: lee@abhw.org
Website: abhw.org/about/