Publication Topic

State Policy Capacity

Content Type:

  • Publication

    Legislator Briefing on Funding Cuts to State and Local Public Health: Virtual Convening of the Milbank State Leadership Network

    April 2025 Sofia Espinosa Morgan McDonald

    The Milbank State Leadership Network hosted a virtual session for state legislators and legislative staff to hear directly from state and local public health officials on the impact of funding and federal program staffing cuts to core services. More

  • Praying for the Dam to Hold 

    Blog Post

    Praying for the Dam to Hold 

    April 2025 Morgan McDonald

    As health departments brace for potential additional funding losses, Morgan McDonald calls on state and local staff and policymakers on all sides of the aisle to communicate the impact of the cuts, particularly with their federal delegations. More

  • Publication

    Medicaid and Behavioral Health Policy with the National Conference of State Legislatures: Virtual Convening of Milbank State Leadership Network

    March 2025 Mary Louise Gilburg Sofia Espinosa 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

  • Virtual Briefing

    Milbank State Leadership Network Exclusive Briefing: State Legislative Action on Medicaid and Behavioral Health

    February 2025

    The Milbank State Leadership Network and experts from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) met on February 20, 2025, for a discussion on how states are approaching Medicaid and behavioral health policy during this legislative season. More

  • A Real Gully Washer 

    Blog Post

    A Real Gully Washer 

    February 2025 Christopher F. Koller

    The new federal administration is implementing its strategy of, as one if its puppet masters, Steve Bannon, likes to say, “flooding the zone.” Over the course of three weeks, it has released over 50 executive orders and taken administrative actions designed to abolish agencies, flush out a swath of the government workforce, and test the constitutional balance of powers. Collectively this is a real gully washer of executive branch activity. The state and local health officials that Milbank supports are leaders in the communities at the mouth of the gully who are dealing with all that is washing out to them.   More

  • Ensuring the FDA Accelerated Approval Process Works for Medicaid  

    Blog Post

    Ensuring the FDA Accelerated Approval Process Works for Medicaid  

    January 2025 Susan S. Stuard 

    Updated February 28, 2025 State policymakers have struggled with the unintended consequences of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated… More

  • Publication

    Medicaid Reimbursement Strategies for Community Health Workers with IMPaCT Care: Virtual Convening of Milbank State Leadership Network

    January 2025 Sofia Espinosa Mary Louise Gilburg Morgan McDonald

    EVENT DATE: December 23, 2024  Community health workers, promotores, and community health representatives (CHW/P/CHR) address… More

  • Partnering with the Gun Lobby to Enact Suicide Prevention Laws in Utah 

    News Article

    Partnering with the Gun Lobby to Enact Suicide Prevention Laws in Utah 

    October 2024 Marjorie Cortez

    The first time Utah state Rep. Steve Eliason was asked what he was going to do about a rash of youth suicides in his suburban Salt Lake County… More

  • Equitable Implementation of Public Health Laws Helps Ensure that Everyone Benefits

    Blog Post

    Equitable Implementation of Public Health Laws Helps Ensure that Everyone Benefits

    October 2024 Maya Hazarika Watts  Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler Jessica Breslin Katie Michel

    Public health laws affect health not only through their substance and design but also through implementation and enforcement. Equitable policymaking requires implementation that respects and works for everyone, with careful attention to the steps of the policy process that follow policy enactment, including enforcement, evaluation, and revision — all of which are necessary to ensure that public health laws have their intended effect. State and local officials working in a range of agencies — from public health to fair employment, housing, consumer protection, government law offices, and more — play a significant role in the implementation and enforcement of public health laws.  More

  • Applying an Equity Lens to Policies Designed to Decrease Youth Vaping: A Student Perspective 

    Blog Post

    Applying an Equity Lens to Policies Designed to Decrease Youth Vaping: A Student Perspective 

    October 2024 Nikhil Patel Suman Mohanty

    Many high schools in Wake County, North Carolina, are situated in economically vulnerable areas, so there is also a correlation between the density of outlets and Wake County’s most vulnerable areas. These areas are often populated by low-income families and communities of color. The saturation of vape shops in low-income areas not only perpetuates a cycle of poor health outcomes but also highlights the systemic inequities present in the availability and marketing of harmful substances. Addressing these disparities is essential to ensuring all communities benefit from progress in reducing teen vaping rates.   More