The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
The Fund identifies and shares policy ideas and analysis to advance state health leadership, strong primary care, and sustainable health care costs.
Keep up with news and updates from the Milbank Memorial Fund. And read the latest blogs from our thought leaders, including Fund President Christopher F. Koller.
The Fund publishes The Milbank Quarterly, as well as reports, issues briefs, and case studies on topics important to health policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is is a foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
Our opinion page features commentary from some of the best minds currently working to improve the public’s health on issues related to population health and health policy.
October 2025 Lawrence O. Gostin,
Throughout my career, I have chaired and been a member of countless scientific and health policy advisory committees for the federal… More
October 2025 Dalton Conley,
Almost 28 years ago, I became a young, new father. Too young by a couple months, actually, since my daughter was born prematurely. During her… More
October 2025 David Rosner,
The Senate Finance Committee hearings with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) were explosive. The Secretary of Health and Human Services was accused of… More
August 2025 John E. McDonough,
No discernible difference exists between the ACA mandate penalty that was overturned by the US Supreme Court and the mandate penalty in the 2025 OBBBA. More
August 2025 Sara Rosenbaum,
Despite a mountain of evidence showing its deleterious effects, a Medicaid work requirement is now law. The mandate, considered by its supporters to be a centerpiece of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), is the product of a desperate search to find ways to help offset over $3 trillion in tax losses, coupled with the enduring desire among Affordable Care Act (ACA) opponents to repeal the Medicaid expansion for working-age adults. More
August 2025 Beth McGinty, Magdalena Cerdá,
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s cuts to Medicaid will heighten the nation’s behavioral health crisis. Nationally, each year an estimated 20 to 25% of children and adults have a mental illness1 and 17% of adults and 9% of adolescents have a substance use disorder. More
August 2025 Harold A. Pollack, Kenton Johnston, Brian Chicoine,
Joseph, a 45-year-old man with Down syndrome is brought to the emergency department (ED) after he and his mother fell down the stairs. In a phone… More
August 2025 Tiffany Joseph,
The GOP Plan to End Obamacare involves fiscally starving it to death rather than an explicit repeal. Trump’s recent signing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” brings us closer to that harsh reality. More
July 2025 Jerel M. Ezell, Sugy Choi,
Despite recent overall decreases in drug overdose deaths, racial disparities are persisting. This, coming against the backdrop of sweeping national opioid settlements, offers a reminder of the enduring potency of systemic racism in the face of what is otherwise a demonstrable public health success. More
June 2025 Jamila Michener, Sarah E. Gollust,
Americans from across the political spectrum oppose cuts to Medicaid, believe that the program is effective, and are willing to take steps to defend Medicaid. More
