PALI 2026 Webinar Training Schedule

Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative (PALI) 2026 Webinar Training Schedule

The PALI Advocacy Training Webinar Program consists of monthly, 1-hour interactive webinars. Each program features two informative sessions: an Advocacy Basic session focused on policymaking and advocacy strategies, and a Policy Issue session providing in-depth context on a specific health policy area. 

We encourage you to join our live sessions to have your questions answered and be part of a growing community of advocates for allergy, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. 

April 30, 2026 4pm ET: Health Policy & Healthcare Spending

ADVOCACY BASIC: Legislative Education Workshop
Overview: Primer on the federal and state law making process, proposed rulemaking, lobbying and advocacy, policy development and stakeholder mapping.

Note: This session will focus on crafting and sharing a patient advocacy narrative and harnessing the power of storytelling to advance patient advocacy. It will include examples and stories of unique advocates in the health policy space.

POLICY ISSUE: Healthcare Spending in the United States
Overview: An overview of the drivers of healthcare spending in the United States. How does the United States compare to other nations in terms of healthcare spend, and what factors play into high-cost care and limited access to treatments. An exploration into why we spend more but get less for our money in healthcare.

Note: This session will provide a snapshot into drug pricing legislation with an overview of the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Copay Assistance/Accumulators, and Manufacturer’s discounts.

• PBM Transparency Act
• EPIPEN Act – copay cost caps

May 28, 2026 4pm ET: Federal Budget Process & How Appropriations Impact Access

ADVOCACY BASIC: Federal Budget Process
Overview: An overview of the federal budget cycle and its impact on healthcare:

• Congressional appropriations process
• President’s Budget
• Continuing Resolutions
• Government Shutdowns
• Budget Reconciliation versus Appropriations

POLICY ISSUE: The Impact of Federal Funding Cuts on Health Programs
Overview: This session will provide an overview of upcoming Medicaid work requirements, cuts to federal asthma programs, healthcare premium increases due to expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, and the overall impact on patients.

June 25, 2026 4pm ET: Advocacy Stakeholders & Engaging in State Policy

ADVOCACY BASIC: Advocacy Action Plan Development
Overview: Building strategies to identify advocacy goals and stakeholders. Identifying challenges to advocacy efforts.

Note: The goal of this session is to provide tips on:

• Unifying messaging
• Crafting patient narratives and storytelling
• Leveraging data in the patient narrative
• Stakeholder mapping
• Coalition building

POLICY ISSUE: Influencing State Policy
Overview: State activity that impact access to allergy and asthma care/treatment, including state stocking laws for albuterol, epinephrine, and state health department advocacy for formulary inclusions.

Note: This session will have a focus on state-level processes that influence drug formularies, such as Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees, Drug Utilization Reviews, and Prescription Drug Affordability Boards.

July 30, 2026 4pm ET: Grassroots to Federal Advocacy & Drug Pricing Policy

ADVOCACY BASIC: State to Federal Law
Overview: This session will highlight how coalition and grassroots efforts turn state-based legislation into federal proposals.

Note: This session will highlight state success stories that are expanding to other states and making their way to the federal arena:

• Gio’s Law
• Dillon’s Law
• Elijah’s Law – Still Federal

POLICY ISSUE: Drug Pricing Policy
Overview: Overview of 340B and Direct-to-Consumer advertising (e.g., TrumpRX), and Medicare drug price negotiations.

Focus on how these initiatives aim to change the way patients purchase their medications, and what it means for their out-of- pocket costs.

August 20, 2026 4pm ET: Surveys and Clinical Research

ADVOCACY BASIC: The Role of Data in Health Policy
Overview: An overview of the critical role data plays in moving the needle on health policy, informing decision-making at all levels of government, and influencing access and affordability.

POLICY ISSUE: Diversity in Clinical Trials
Overview: Lack of diversity directly harms public health by creating gaps in medical knowledge, leading to suboptimal and inequitable healthcare delivery.

Note: This session will introduce patients to clinical trial engagement opportunities and will explain the benefits of diversity in clinical trials and research to overall public health

September 17, 2026 4pm ET: Digital Advocacy & Real-World Policy Engagement

ADVOCACY BASIC: Digital Advocacy
Overview: This session will provide an understanding of digital tools advocates can leverage to advance advocacy:

• Social media
• Data and infographics
• Digital legislative campaigns
• Virtual events
• Petitions
• Vlogs
• Short-form videos

Note: This session will have a focus on using digital advocacy to combat misinformation (e.g., vaccine hesitancy), showcasing researcher Renee DiResta’s work in addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation online. DiResta presented at the National Health Council in 2025 and her work would make for a compelling patient advocacy lesson.

POLICY ISSUE: Policy Engagement Opportunities
Overview: Primer on regulatory comment writing, letters to Congressional Officials, op-eds, and grassroots campaigns.

October 30, 2026 4pm ET: Open Enrollment & Understanding Government Health Programs

ADVOCACY BASIC: Open Enrollment – Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act Coverage
Overview: Navigating federal health platforms to apply for health coverage. What to look out for, consumer research on health plans, and what options fit.

POLICY ISSUE: Differences between Medicare, Medicaid, and Dual-Eligibles
Overview: An overview of the federal programs that treat the most vulnerable patients in the nation, who qualify for these types of coverage, and what services are covered.

November 19, 2026 4pm ET: The Role of Public Opinions & Surveys in Health Policy

ADVOCACY BASIC: Public Opinion Polls
Overview: This session will provide an understanding of how public opinion polls and surveys play a crucial and multi- faceted role in shaping health policy and understanding political dynamics that could influence the healthcare landscape.

POLICY ISSUE: Using Public Surveys to Shape Policy Narratives
Overview: This session will provide an understanding of crafting, reinforcing, and communicating compelling narratives that build support for (or opposition to) specific health policies.

December 17, 2026 4pm ET: Mobilizing Stakeholders & Consensus Building Strategies

ADVOCACY BASIC: Tactics to Engage Stakeholders
Overview: An overview of tactics to mobilize stakeholders, unify messaging, amplify influence and presence to build political will.

POLICY ISSUE: Creating Policy Frameworks
Overview:  This session will cover how coalitions help influence federal and state health policy through collective lobbying efforts, stakeholder engagement, and impactful advocacy with government officials.

Please note: The curriculum may be adjusted based on feedback from participants and the Advisory Council.