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.
March 12, 2025
Policy Report
Sofia Espinosa
Mary Louise Gilburg
Morgan McDonald
Publication
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 10, 2025
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. The first session, held in April 2024, synthesized evidence and opportunities for postpartum mortality reduction for participant state consideration. (See proceedings.) The meeting offered key insights from external subject matter experts such as academics, payers, health care providers, and representatives from other states. The second and final session gave states in the collaborative an opportunity to report on their efforts to reduce postpartum morbidity and mortality through rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles over 10 months. Throughout the collaborative, states had opportunities for discussion with each other as they incorporated insights from the subject matter experts and federal agency partners.
State work in the collaborative was guided by a driver diagram developed by HHS with input from all engaged in the process. This framework identifies key contributors to postpartum morbidity and mortality (see Figure 1). Each state used its own data to identify causes of postpartum morbidity and mortality that guided state-level project aims and changes made with providers. Federal technical assistance provided quality improvement, clinical, and policy experts from across HHS. Iowa, New Mexico, and Minnesota pursued projects to address mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Maryland, Massachusetts, and Michigan focused on addressing cardiovascular conditions. States met as a collaborative monthly to provide peer support and share findings and HHS met with individual states, sometimes several times per week, to keep project momentum.
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