State Network

Milbank State Leadership Network

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  • State Health Policy Leadership: Navigating Rough Seas  

    Blog Post

    State Health Policy Leadership: Navigating Rough Seas  

    August 2025 Christopher F. Koller

    An eager ensign inquired why his naval captain asked for his red shirt every time he went in battle.  “Ah,” the captain said. “That is… More

  • State Strategies for Engaging Community Health Workers Amid Federal Policy Shifts

    Blog Post

    State Strategies for Engaging Community Health Workers Amid Federal Policy Shifts

    August 2025 Annie Cloke Janée Tyus

    Health insurance coverage for 1 in 5 Americans is at risk as states respond to changes included in HR1/OBBB. These changes follow significant cuts to federal public health funding. Because state Medicaid agencies will have to do more with less, they will need to focus on policies and cost-effective programs with demonstrated results — and may want to consider investing in community health worker (CHW) programs. More

  • Why the US Needs a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Health Care Workforce 

    News Article

    Why the US Needs a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Health Care Workforce 

    August 2025 Joanne Kenan

    How can policymakers and institutions of higher learning comply with the law — and acknowledge the political climate — and still develop the high quality, excellent, and diverse health workforces that the country needs? More

  • Blog Post

    Efforts to Dismantle DEI Discount Our Values 

    July 2025 Zakiya Summers

    A Mississippi state legislator on why a new state law to dismantle DEI in education will silence students, bully educators, and restrict progress. More

  • Hard-Won Gains Against Sexually Transmitted Infections Could Slip Away 

    Blog Post

    Hard-Won Gains Against Sexually Transmitted Infections Could Slip Away 

    July 2025 Shannon Dowler

    People of every gender, race, age, and ethnicity are affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Currently, the United States is experiencing the largest epidemic of congenital syphilis since the 1990s, with thousands of babies being born with the potential for lifelong disabilities and death each year. On the other end of the life spectrum, the 60-plus crowd is moving into retirement communities with the most rapidly rising rates of STIs of any age group.   More

  • Blog Post

    Protecting and Promoting Public Service: Rejecting the Violence of Divisiveness 

    July 2025 Christopher F. Koller Morgan McDonald

    Liz Reyer ran for state representative in Minnesota to change things for the better, not to fear for her life or those of her family members. But the murder of her fellow representative and party leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of her cross-chamber colleague Sen. John Hofmann and his wife, on June 15 has brought the unthinkable to the realm of the possible.   More

  • Publication

    State Approaches to Addressing Hospital Costs: Virtual Convening of Milbank State Leadership Network Recap

    June 2025 Mary Louise Gilburg Morgan McDonald

    The Milbank State Leadership Network hosted a virtual session for state legislators and legislative staff to discuss factors contributing to rising health care costs as well as opportunities for states to slow spending growth and make health care more affordable, with a particular focus on hospital costs. The briefing was hosted in partnership with Bailit Health, the technical assistance provider for the Peterson-Milbank Program for Sustainable Healthcare Costs. More

  • Federal Health Data Pauses and Staff Cuts Will Harm American Mothers and Babies 

    Blog Post

    Federal Health Data Pauses and Staff Cuts Will Harm American Mothers and Babies 

    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

  • Blog Post

    Lessons Learned from Arkansas’ Experience with a Medicaid Work Requirement 

    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

  • Blog Post

    “A Government Committed to Serving Everybody with Dignity and Respect” 

    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