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.
Publication Topic
Blog Post
February 2025 Morgan McDonald,
In the spring of 2021, my favorite T-shirt to wear on the soccer sidelines sported an image of Dolly Parton singing “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vacceeeeeene” to the tune of “Jolene.” Parton herself sang the rewritten lyrics repeatedly urging Tennesseans to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. It prompted countless conversations about how the vaccine was made, where people could get it, and how safe it was. As a state public health official, my colleagues and I were rejoicing at how quickly the Trump administration had indeed delivered on a several vaccine options less than a year into the pandemic. More
News Article
June 2022 R.L. Nave,
Health care access issues have long posed challenges for health officials in Mississippi, a rural state with the nation’s largest percentage of African Americans. More
March 2022 Kate McEvoy, Erin Westphal,
States need to find ways to improve their program capacity and management capabilities to make sure that these new resources transform systems of care and meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. Such improvements will also help states meet their own policy goals. More
Publication
March 2022 William K. Bleser, Katie M. Huber, Hannah L. Crook, Rebecca G. Whitaker, Jasmine Masand, James J. Zheng, Raman Nohria, Michelle J. Lyn, Robert S. Saunders, Alessa Erawan,
Copublished with the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy Policy Points As states consider expanding or creating health programs that address… More
February 2022 Kevin H. Nguyen,
Comprising about 6% of the US population, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people are one of the fastest growing populations in the nation.… More
February 2022 Sarah Reber, Cyrus Kosar,
Making vaccination convenient and free is critical, but effective strategies to address vaccine hesitancy in the long run will need to build trust in ways that are tailored to particular communities, especially among certain communities of color that have faced historical and ongoing racism in the medical system and beyond. More
February 2022 Christopher F. Koller,
“Heaven… I’m in heaven, And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak. And I seem to find the happiness I seek, When we’re out together dancing… More
February 2022 Kate McEvoy, Charles Milligan,
While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken some actions to promote a focus on quality, much more should be done to articulate federal policy and to inspire and incentivize improvement. More
September 2021 Christopher F. Koller,
Health policy can be an imprecise practice. Nowhere is that imprecision more prevalent than in the promiscuous use of the word “system” in health-policy-speak. More
September 2021 Madeleine Shea, Aaron Tripp,
The American Rescue Plan will help state officials address the needs of older adults, particularly through its temporary increase in the federal match for certain Medicaid home- and community-based services spending. More