The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
The Fund identifies and shares policy ideas and analysis to advance state health leadership, strong primary care, and sustainable health care costs.
Keep up with news and updates from the Milbank Memorial Fund. And read the latest blogs from our thought leaders, including Fund President Christopher F. Koller.
The Fund publishes The Milbank Quarterly, as well as reports, issues briefs, and case studies on topics important to health policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is is a foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
Publication Topic
Blog Post
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
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
June 2025 Eric T. Roberts, Narda Ipakchi, Josh Kramer,
The US House of Representatives–passed tax bill includes a provision that would delay implementation of a federal regulation designed to reduce paperwork burdens that limit older adults’ access to benefits. 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
Event
May 2025 Mary Louise Gilburg,
Milbank Quarterly webinar focused on two articles about Medicaid’s role in mental health and substance use disorder from our special issue, Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges Facing the United States: What Can State Policymakers Do? More
April 2025 Christopher F. Koller,
For all the concern of Medicaid “reform,” the real problem here is how to pay for tax cuts — ones that increase income disparities — in the hopes of stimulating the economy. Low-income Medicaid beneficiaries should not foot the bill. More
Publication
March 2025 Sofia Espinosa, Mary Louise Gilburg, Morgan McDonald,
The Milbank State Leadership Network hosted experts from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to discuss state legislative approaches to Medicaid and behavioral health policy during the 2025 state legislative season. The conversation explored bipartisan approaches to strengthen coverage, address rising costs amid severe budget constraints, and, improve access to substance use disorder treatment and suicide prevention. 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
March 2025 Sarah Loch, Elizabeth Mendes,
As Congress works toward passing a budget reconciliation plan, lawmakers are considering massive cuts in federal financing for programs that provide… More
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Milbank Memorial Fund convened the second of two virtual meetings in support of the multi-state Secretary’s Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative. More
