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
June 2025 Lauren Christiansen-Lindquist,
The health and well-being of all Americans — but especially women and babies — relies on timely and accurate data. Pregnancy and early childhood are particularly vulnerable periods that require careful monitoring, support, and response. The more up-to-date information we have, the better chance we have of preventing unnecessary deaths, building healthy families, and setting children up for success. Yet, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s changes to the agency eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health, among other divisions, almost entirely. More
June 2025 Craig Wilson, Joseph W. Thompson ,
Whether states adopt work requirements voluntarily or implement them pursuant to a federal requirement, they have the advantage of being able to learn from the problems encountered by Arkansas, the first state to implement a Medicaid work requirement. More
Publication
May 2025 Casey Balio, Nicole Galler, Nathan Dockery, Michael Meit,
To identify areas with high need, area-level vulnerability and resilience indices (ALVRIs) have been developed to create composite need scores based on combined underlying measures. Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as philanthropies, are using ALVRIs as data-driven strategies to better allocate resources and improve outcomes. More
May 2025 Christopher F. Koller,
Public acts of violence are harmful to viewers as well as victims, particularly when the victims are powerless. They can leave witnesses helpless and… More
News Article
April 2025
Engaging policymakers with authority over population health funding and policies in leadership development has great potential to depolarize issues… More
Virtual Briefing
April 2025 Sarah-Hannah Herman,
This briefing, hosted during National Public Health week, addressed the restructuring of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department and the… More
April 2025 Sofia Espinosa, Morgan McDonald,
The Milbank State Leadership Network hosted a virtual session for state legislators and legislative staff to hear directly from state and local public health officials on the impact of funding and federal program staffing cuts to core services. More
April 2025 Morgan McDonald,
As health departments brace for potential additional funding losses, Morgan McDonald calls on state and local staff and policymakers on all sides of the aisle to communicate the impact of the cuts, particularly with their federal delegations. More
April 2025 Jennifer Avegno,
With federal funding cuts affecting local health departments, running a strong ground game is more challenging now than ever. More
March 2025 Sarita A. Mohanty, Narda Ipakchi,
For decades, the program has connected lower-income older adults and people with disabilities to the kind of care that helps them live with independence and purpose. More