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.
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Advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
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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.
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Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
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Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
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The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
May 23, 2018
Issue Brief
Rachel Block
Publication
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
Providers, payers, and state policymakers are moving to implement behavioral health integration (BHI) models as evidence of their effectiveness builds. BHI models bring together behavioral health and medical health providers to improve outcomes and enhance the efficiency of the delivery system.
But many states face an obstacle—the lack of a health care workforce that has the legal authority, training, and skills necessary to practice in these new models. How can we accelerate the development of a BHI workforce?
The Milbank Memorial Fund and the Reforming States Group (RSG) have a track record of work in this area. The Fund has published several reports on the topic. And the leadership of the RSG created a workgroup to focus on the issue. Supported by the Fund, the RSG is a bipartisan group of state executive and legislative leaders who meet annually to share information, develop professional networks, and commission joint projects.
The issue brief, authored by Rachel Block, program officer at the Fund, focuses on several key areas of interest to policymakers: assessing workforce needs; identifying legal and policy barriers; and aligning resources. Three case studies illustrate how university-based research programs in Washington State, Nebraska, and Michigan are addressing BHI workforce needs.
The brief is intended to assist state policymakers who are responsible for BHI policy in their states. It may also be helpful to academic research organizations that could apply these findings and resources in the context of their research, operations, or evaluation activities for states.
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