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.
Supporting networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
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 provide 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.
Upcoming and past 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.
Retired Senior Vice President, Health Care Transformation and Strategic Planning, Johns Hopkins Medicine
John M. Colmers was the senior vice president, health care transformation and strategic planning, for Johns Hopkins Medicine from 2011 to 2020. From January 2007 to January 2011 he served as the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. From November 2000 through January 2007, Mr. Colmers was a senior program officer for the Milbank Memorial Fund. Prior to joining Milbank, he spent nineteen years in Maryland State government where he held various positions, including executive director of the Maryland Health Care Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), the agency overseeing Maryland’s all-payer hospital rate setting system. Mr. Colmers was also a director of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield and the chair of one of its affiliates, CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. He is a commissioner on the HSCRC and chaired that board from 2011-2015. He served on the board of AcademyHealth and on the Commonwealth Fund’s Commission on a High Performance Health System. He is a past chair of the steering committee of the Reforming States Group, a bipartisan group of executive and legislative leaders. Mr. Colmers has a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MPH from UNC Chapel Hill.