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.
Keep up with news and updates from the Milbank Memorial Fund. And read the latest posts from our staff and guest authors.
Short takes on state health policy
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar.
Reported articles and Milbank updates
Webinars with health researchers and policymakers
The Milbank Memorial Fund is an endowed operating foundation that aims to improve population health by connecting leaders and decision makers with the best available evidence and experience. It does this work by:
The Fund publishes <i>The Milbank Quarterly</i>, as well as reports, issues briefs, and case studies on topics important to health policy leaders.
Despite evidence that primary care improves the health of populations and reduces health inequities, primary care in the United States is in a vulnerable position, according to an April 2021 report from National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Committee on Implementing High-Quality Primary Care. The Milbank Memorial Fund and The Physicians Foundation have partnered with the Robert Graham Center to develop an annual “Health of US Primary Care Scorecard” to measure the implementation of high-quality primary care and inform national and state policy. See the Advisory Committee members, who informed measure selection and review the findings. Read the first Scorecard report and view the data dashboard.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
At the Milbank Memorial Fund, we’re committed to improving population health. Our email updates will keep you informed about topics that state health policymakers have identified as important to their work, particularly issues related to primary care, aging, and total costs of care. You’ll also find out about the latest studies and commentaries published in The Milbank Quarterly, the leading, multi-disciplinary health policy journal we publish. As you’ll see, our work embodies our commitment to objectivity, community, sustainability, and leadership. Thank you for joining us as we work together to improve the health of populations. If you are a reporter and have a media inquiry, please email Communications Director Christine Haran at charan@milbank.org or call 212-355-8400.
September 2026 Mary Louise Gilburg,
Over the past several decades, there has been a substantial increase globally in policies legalizing medical and recreational cannabis, yet the… More
Opioid Use Disorder State Health Policy
September 2026 Brendan Saloner, Yngvild Olsen,
State governments play a central role in the delivery of substance use care in the United States, which has a profound impact on public health. More
Infectious Disease State Health Policy
September 2026 Sara Rosenbaum,
Beginning in 2025, longstanding opponents of vaccines have held the highest positions of federal public health policy powers. More
September 2026 Mary-Margaret A. Fill, William Schaffner,
Over the last decade, the United States has encountered numerous infectious disease-related public health threats, observed declines in life expectancy and childhood vaccination rates, and experienced rapid changes and reorganizations to the domestic public health system. More
Health Law
September 2026 Sara Rosenbaum, Jane L. Tavares, Marc A. Cohen, Alison Barkoff, Feygele Jacobs,
It is axiomatic that federal rules must be legal. More
Health Care Costs Health Insurance
September 2026 Kody H. Kinsley, Jeanne M. Lambrew, Doug Scaffidi,
State policymakers are confronting budget challenges stemming from recent federal restrictions on Medicaid funding, as well as from the rising costs… More
Social drivers of health
September 2026 Lisa Carter-Bawa,
Context: Despite substantial evidence that stigma produces measurable health inequities across conditions and populations, stigma remains absent from… More
Value-Based Payment
September 2026 Shannon N. Ogden, Stephanie Loo, Megan B. Cole, Kathryn D. Thompson, Kenneth N. Lim, Sarah H. Gordon, Collette N. Ncube, Elizabeth W. Patton, Karen E. Lasser, Lois McCloskey,
In the wake of a US maternal health crisis, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) may be a key opportunity to improve maternal health care. More
Population Health State Health Policy
September 2026 Jennifer Karas Montez, Jacob M. Grumbach,
American federalism involves decentralized policymaking across federal, state, and local governments. More
State Health Policy Leadership
August 2026 Michelle Munroe, Peter Johnson,
More than 2.3 million women of reproductive age live in maternity care deserts — counties with no hospitals offering obstetric care and no OB-GYN or certified nurse-midwife in practice. More