Last week, Civitas members from across the country came together in Washington, D.C. for the Civitas Networks for Health® Annual Fly‑In—an energizing and impactful opportunity to elevate the role of community‑driven health data infrastructure in federal policy conversations.
20+ Civitas member leaders made the trip, demonstrating the strength and commitment of our network. Together, they engaged in 47 meetings with Congressional offices, delivering a clear and consistent message: locally governed organizations are the implementation layer for national health priorities, delivering the data, connectivity, and trust needed to improve cost, quality, and outcomes.
Elevating the Implementation Layer
Across every meeting on Capitol Hill, members underscored the essential role of organizations such as Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Health Data Utilities (HDUs), All Payer Claims Databases (APCDs), Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), and Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives (RHICs).
These organizations are on-the-ground infrastructure that makes federal policy work in practice. Civitas members operate at the intersection of data, technology, policy, and community, ensuring that national priorities translate into tangible improvements in care delivery, population health, and system performance.
As we like to say at Civitas, our members are critical national infrastructure for health – and that was reinforced in all these meetings.
Sharpening Our Voice and Our “Ask”
Each year, the Fly‑In reflects the continued evolution of Civitas’ federal advocacy—and 2026 was no exception. As members moved from meeting to meeting, one theme was clear: our focus is sharper, talking points more concise, and collective “ask” more aligned than ever before.
That progress was evident in the conversations held with Congressional offices. Members brought forward policy priorities coupled with real-world examples that demonstrated how their work directly supports federal goals—from advancing interoperability and strengthening public health infrastructure to enabling more efficient, data-driven care delivery.
Showcasing a Powerful Combination of Data, Technology, and Trust
One of the most important takeaways from this year’s Fly‑In is the recognition that Civitas members are addressing some of the most complex challenges in health and health care improvement. Their impact is driven by a powerful combination of:
- Robust, interoperable data systems that adhere to local and state privacy protections
- Advanced technology and analytics capabilities
- Community-based governance models
- Deep trust within the states and communities they serve
Together, these elements enable Civitas members to deliver results that extend far beyond individual programs, creating sustainable, improvements across the health system.
Strengthening the Network Through Shared Experience
While advocacy is a central focus of the Fly‑In, the event also reinforces something equally important: the strength of the Civitas network itself.
Civitas events provide an invaluable space for members to:
- Learn from one another and share practical insights
- Better understand the breadth of work happening across the network
- Strengthen a shared commitment to advancing data led, multi‑stakeholder collaboration
These connections – formed because of longstanding relationships but also strengthened between meetings and deepened through shared experiences – are what enable ongoing collaboration and collective progress long after the Fly‑In concludes.
Actionable Takeaways Woven into Our Year-Round Advocacy Strategy
The Fly‑In is not a standalone moment—it is one part of Civitas’ broader, year-round advocacy strategy to ensure that community‑driven health data infrastructure is represented in federal policy design and implementation.
Building on the momentum from our time on Capitol Hill, several immediate next steps are already underway. With upcoming opportunities to respond to federal Requests for Information (RFIs), hold follow-up meetings with key staff, be an insightful source for rural health transformation efforts, Civitas and its members are well-positioned to translate the real‑world insights shared during Fly‑In meetings into formal input that can shape future policy and program design.
Engagement from Congressional offices also reinforced strong interest in continuing the conversation, with some offices expressing interest in working with Civitas to help amplify what is working—and where gaps remain—across states and communities, creating a pathway to ensure that lived implementation experience informs federal decisionmaking.
We will also be coordinating follow-up meetings with key offices and agency stakeholders to deepen these conversations, reinforce our collective “ask,” and continue building relationships that support long‑term impact. Just as importantly, the Fly‑In helped establish a clearer pathway for Civitas and its members to serve as a trusted voice on critical initiatives emerging from HHS, particularly as new models and policies increasingly rely on existing data infrastructure.
As these efforts continue, additional insights and strategic direction will be shaped in partnership with our advocacy leadership—with further perspective guiding how we build off this momentum in the months ahead.
What’s to Come in 2026 and Beyond
The 2026 Fly‑In reinforced a powerful truth: community driven health data infrastructure is essential to the success of national health priorities. As Civitas continues to elevate this message, we remain focused on strengthening our collective voice, advancing thoughtful policy solutions, and ensuring that our members are recognized as critical infrastructure.
To the 20+ members who joined us in Washington, D.C.—thank you. Your leadership, expertise, and engagement are what drive real impact across communities nationwide. We want to extend a sincere thank you to Troutman Strategies for hosting our team and helping to facilitate a productive and engaging Fly‑In experience. We are also grateful to CRISP DC and CRISP Maryland for co-hosting an exceptional post‑Fly‑In happy hour, giving members the opportunity to reconnect, share insights, and reflect on the day’s conversations.
