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.
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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.
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The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
December 17, 2015
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Does bringing together state leaders make a difference? This fall, members of the Reforming States Group (RSG) were surveyed to find out. Each year, about 34 states—almost 100 people from the executive and legislative branches of both political parties—participate in the meetings, as well as attendees from Canadian provinces, Scotland, and Australia.
In the survey, RSG participants were asked about the ways in which their attendance at meetings had influenced state health policy or how intra-state relationships had changed. “Interestingly, the networking that occurs at RSG meetings is not only between participants from other states, but also between people from within the same state who have never had an opportunity to meet or exchange ideas,” explains Christopher Koller, President of the Milbank Memorial Fund.
Sixty-two percent of participants—almost evenly divided between legislative and executive branch officials—completed the survey. Here are some of the findings.
Of legislative branch officials:
Of executive branch officials:
“People who hear that we convene meetings for policymakers might wonder whether these meetings are junkets or the source of progress,” explains Koller. “The survey responses are pretty clear—these meetings make a difference. By surveying our members, we can learn what aspects of their time together had the greatest impact on attendees and their efforts to improve the health of the communities they serve.”