3 Healthcare Trends to Watch at JPM 2026

The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPM) is where industry leaders in the medical field gather to shape the year’s narrative. For healthcare brands, JPM represents a key moment to set priorities, connect with decision-makers, and establish true thought leadership.

Last year’s conference drew major media buzz, spotlighting big acquisitions and AI breakthroughs. JPM 2026 will focus on these themes again, as well as an increased focus on policy and regulations. To stand out, brands participating in the conference need clear, data-driven messages that resonate with forward-thinking healthcare professionals.

1. AI Matures from Buzzword to ROI

Artificial intelligence will still be one of the key themes at JPM 2026, but now the focus is on real results. Stakeholders want proof that AI delivers measurable value. The conversation is shifting from how AI works to what AI accomplishes. Are your organization’s AI tools cutting trial times or improving diagnostics? That's what matters.

At present, many organizations adopt AI without achieving true transformation. Investors want total operational change, not incremental improvements. Healthcare leaders need to refocus on mission-driven outcomes first, with AI as the engine behind them. AI regulation matters, too. Executive orders on state AI laws could bring a more consistent national approach, albeit with new complexities.

How to Lead the AI in Healthcare Conversation:

• Address the ROI question directly: Frame your narrative around the business value of your AI implementation. Explain how you are moving from experimental models to enterprise-grade solutions.
• Offer a POV on regulation: Develop a clear perspective on the future of AI governance. Discuss how your company is preparing for potential regulatory shifts and what you believe is the best path forward for the industry.

2. The Spotlight Intensifies on Biopharma and Deal-Making

This year, top health insurers are skipping JPM again, putting biopharma, medtech, and life sciences in the spotlight instead.

With insurers out, expect mergers and acquisitions (M&A), partnerships, and funding news to make headlines. Conference buzz often mirrors investor sentiment, so active deal-making could energize the sector.

How to Lead the Deal-Making Conversation:

• For companies with news: If you are announcing a deal, a funding round, or a major partnership, frame it within the larger context of industry trends. Explain how your news signals growth and innovation in the biopharma space.
• For companies without news: Provide analysis on the deal-making landscape. Highlight emerging opportunities in sub-sectors primed for consolidation or investment. Use your expertise to interpret the market for others.
• Connect to value-based care: Discuss how your innovations support the transition to value-based models. Explain how your therapies or technologies improve outcomes while managing costs.

3. Healthcare Faces Policy and Regulatory Uncertainty

Political and regulatory issues will be in the spotlight at JPM 2026. The future of federal health insurance remains uncertain as Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expire and premiums spike for millions of Americans. These shifts leave open questions about coverage, reimbursement, and policy direction across the industry.

Key policy topics will also influence JPM 2026. Expect conversations on the BIOSECURE Act’s effect on biopharma, updates to vaccination laws, and new GLP-1 drug guidelines from the World Health Organization.

How to Lead the Policy and Regulations Conversation:

• Be a source of clarity: In a time of uncertainty, offer a clear, data-driven analysis of how these policy shifts could affect the market. Help stakeholders understand the potential risks and opportunities.
• Develop a proactive stance: Do not just react to policy news. Articulate your company’s position on key issues and explain how you are preparing for potential scenarios that could arise from those policies in the future.
• Focus on precision medicine: Connect policy discussions to the advancement of precision medicine. Explain how a stable regulatory environment is crucial for bringing targeted therapies to patients who need them most.

Set Your Agenda for the Year After JPM 2026

JPM 2026 is where major players in the healthcare sphere build their reputations and win new opportunities. But breaking through takes more than just presence. It takes strategy, timing, and a message that meets the moment.

We'll be in San Francisco helping our clients navigate these trends. If you want your company to stand out at JPM 2026, get in touch with us now. We're already mapping strategies for the companies that will lead this year’s conversation.