The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
Focus Area
Blog Post
August 2026 Debra Lubar,
In her latest post, Debra Lubar discusses how unexpected, large medical bills can upend finances for many families. More
News Article
June 2026
In a new Health Affairs Forefront article, Michael Bailit, January Angeles, and Rachel Block show how states with health care cost growth targets… More
March 2026 Cori E. Uccello, Annette James, Rebecca A. Sheppard, Sara Teppema,
Public programs have increasingly sought to address health-related social needs that create barriers to care and health disparities and drive health care costs. For instance, several state Medicaid programs now cover medically tailored meals, housing supports, and non-emergency transportation through managed care and demonstration waivers. More
March 2026 Shruthika Padhy, Christopher M. Whaley,
Driven mainly by high and variable prices, United States’ health care spending is among the highest in the world. Yet, higher prices make health care less affordable and are often not linked to higher quality. More
January 2026 Amy Kinner, Katherine Ahrens, Katie McGraves-Lloyd,
Takeaways for states considering cross-state all-payer claims database collaborations to assess health care quality, use, or costs. More
January 2026 Kara Odom Walker, Rachel J. Thornton, Steven M. Costantino, Andrew Wilson,
“If we want to change the trajectory of adults’ health, we have to start with the health of children.” Over the past decade,… More
Publication
November 2025 Jessica Mar, Caitlin Otter, Michael Bailit,
Over the last decade, high and rising health care costs have squeezed patients’ wallets, strained local economies, and consumed a growing share of state budgets. In response, states have increasingly recognized the urgency of addressing unsustainable health care cost growth through innovative cost containment strategies More
Event
November 2025
Join us for a webinar to explore how states can garner compelling data insights from their All-Payers Claims Database (APCD) to inform health care affordability initiatives. More
October 2025 Erin Taylor, Matthew Reynolds,
This post describes ways states can safeguard and promote health equity alongside their efforts to make health care more affordable, particularly for those who bear the greatest burden of high and rising health care costs. The post identifies four overarching approaches states can take. More
October 2025 Thom Walsh,
Our experience in Vermont highlights both the strengths and the limitations of evaluating efficiency using standard measures of expenses and revenue. More