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.
May 21, 2000
Policy Report
Co-published with the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Publication
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
This report distills the experience of senior officials of state and local government in adapting the techniques of managed care to the needs of persons with mental illnesses, especially severe and chronic illnesses. The theme of the report is that public managers can use many of these techniques to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of behavioral health services. However, the techniques of managed care must be modified to take into account the challenges of integrating services for persons with mental illnesses, the characteristics of patients and providers in each jurisdiction, and the requirements of public accountability.
The report is the collective work of a group of state and local officials convened by the Bazelon Center and the Fund. The Center, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit national legal advocacy organization for people with mental disabilities, working to protect their rights and promote their access to the services they need for full participation in community life. The Fund is an endowed national foundation, established in 1905, that works with decision makers in the public and private sectors to carry out nonpartisan analysis, study, research, and communication on significant issues in health policy.
Each of the officials we convened had firsthand experience with managed behavioral health care. The officials spoke frankly about their experiences and achieved consensus about the themes of the report and its structure. They also decided that the report should not call attention to the specific experience of any one state. Hence particular states are not identified within the report.
The persons who created this report as well as those who reviewed it in draft are identified in the Acknowledgments. We are particularly grateful to Charles Palmer, who served with distinction as Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, for leading this project from its inception in 1996.
Robert BernsteinExecutive DirectorBazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Daniel M. FoxPresidentMilbank Memorial Fund
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