Liz DiLauro
@lizdilauro.bsky.social
Senior Policy Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Mom of 3. Maryland resident, but New Englander at heart. (she/her)
Last week, people turned out, ballots in hand! Across states, ballot measures let communities shape health, equity, and opportunity—giving people a direct voice in decisions that affect their lives. Read more from @erings.bsky.social at @statecourtreport.org here: bit.ly/3JQDo4V
States Pass Constitutional Amendments on Redistricting, Parental Rights, Water Preservation, and More
Californians approved a much-watched amendment that allows the use of a new congressional map.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Last week, people turned out, ballots in hand! Across states, ballot measures let communities shape health, equity, and opportunity—giving people a direct voice in decisions that affect their lives. Read more from @erings.bsky.social at @statecourtreport.org here: bit.ly/3JQDo4V
Next month, voters in several states will decide on over 20 ballot measures—shaping health, rights, and community wellbeing. But this year alone, at least 156 bills have been introduced that threaten the ballot measure tool. Staying informed on these trends is key. Learn more: biscfoundation.org
Home Page - Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation
biscfoundation.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Next month, voters in several states will decide on over 20 ballot measures—shaping health, rights, and community wellbeing. But this year alone, at least 156 bills have been introduced that threaten the ballot measure tool. Staying informed on these trends is key. Learn more: biscfoundation.org
Ballot measures and race-conscious policymaking may seem different—but both are essential to advancing health and equity. I spoke with @gihealth.bsky.social on why these tools are under attack and how philanthropy can help: bit.ly/3KgRyMB
The Importance of Ballot Measure Access and Race-Conscious Policymaking - Grantmakers In Health
In this interview, Grantmakers In Health’s Maya Schane spoke with Elizabeth DiLauro and Giridhar Mallya of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation about the importance of race-conscious policymaking and pr...
bit.ly
September 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Ballot measures and race-conscious policymaking may seem different—but both are essential to advancing health and equity. I spoke with @gihealth.bsky.social on why these tools are under attack and how philanthropy can help: bit.ly/3KgRyMB
On Medicaid’s 60th anniversary today, remember: some of our strongest health policies didn’t come from lawmakers—they came from the people. Funders, if we want systems that put people first, we must protect the power of communities to demand and vote for the policies they want.
Americans are hitting our limit watching profit be prioritized over people. Our health system hasn’t worked well for a long time, and now we’ve watched it be stripped for parts to pad the one percent’s pockets.
Healthcare is not a luxury; it should be a right. Our system needs to recognize that.
Healthcare is not a luxury; it should be a right. Our system needs to recognize that.
July 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
On Medicaid’s 60th anniversary today, remember: some of our strongest health policies didn’t come from lawmakers—they came from the people. Funders, if we want systems that put people first, we must protect the power of communities to demand and vote for the policies they want.
@commonwealthfund.org’s scorecard shows where you live still shapes your health. The ACA lowered uninsured rates in every state—but big gaps remain. @rwjf.bsky.social is defending the ballot measure process so everyone can protect their health and strengthen the systems they rely on. bit.ly/4ekMNN7
2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance
The Commonwealth Fund 2025 Scorecard ranks states’ health care systems based on how well they provide high-quality, accessible, and equitable health care.
bit.ly
July 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
@commonwealthfund.org’s scorecard shows where you live still shapes your health. The ACA lowered uninsured rates in every state—but big gaps remain. @rwjf.bsky.social is defending the ballot measure process so everyone can protect their health and strengthen the systems they rely on. bit.ly/4ekMNN7
Three years after Dobbs, voters are using the ballot to protect abortion access—even as some lawmakers try to roll back those wins. The anniversary isn’t just about what was lost. It’s a call to protect the tools—and communities—that move us forward. bit.ly/44A3WyQ
Ballot Measures: A Prescription for Health Equity
On May 14th, 2025, the Missouri legislature not just ignored but overturned the will of the people. In November 2024, Missourians passed amendments via ballot measure to protect abortion access and to...
bit.ly
June 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Three years after Dobbs, voters are using the ballot to protect abortion access—even as some lawmakers try to roll back those wins. The anniversary isn’t just about what was lost. It’s a call to protect the tools—and communities—that move us forward. bit.ly/44A3WyQ
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans are covered through Medicaid? And in 7 states, people chose to expand it through ballot measures. Every community deserves the power to choose their care—ballot access makes that possible. More from RWJF's Richard Besser via @insidephilanthropy.com bit.ly/3STgTgy
America’s Health Is Under Threat. Philanthropies Are Made for Moments Like This
Richard Besser of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation discusses the stances it's taking — including to hold the line on racial equity.
bit.ly
June 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans are covered through Medicaid? And in 7 states, people chose to expand it through ballot measures. Every community deserves the power to choose their care—ballot access makes that possible. More from RWJF's Richard Besser via @insidephilanthropy.com bit.ly/3STgTgy
Rachel Sweet led Missouri voters to overturn a near-total abortion ban—a huge win for health. Now, just 7 months later, the state Supreme Court has reinstated the ban, ignoring voters' will. Defending ballot access is key. Funders must stay engaged to sustain #healthequity.
bit.ly/4kdRB92
bit.ly/4kdRB92
TIME100 Health: Rachel Sweet
Find out why Rachel Sweet is on the TIME100 Health 2025 list.
bit.ly
June 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Rachel Sweet led Missouri voters to overturn a near-total abortion ban—a huge win for health. Now, just 7 months later, the state Supreme Court has reinstated the ban, ignoring voters' will. Defending ballot access is key. Funders must stay engaged to sustain #healthequity.
bit.ly/4kdRB92
bit.ly/4kdRB92
Arkansas grassroots orgs are fighting back against attacks on direct democracy. For AR Kids & Protect AR Rights filed to defend Arkansans’ First Amendment rights and access to the ballot measure process. 🙌 Catch up on the legal fight via @grajeda.bsky.social and @arkansasadvocate.com bit.ly/44EItFJ
Arkansas grassroots organizations seek to intervene in lawsuit challenging direct democracy laws | Arkansas Advocate
Two Arkansas ballot question committees on Wednesday filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging new direct democracy-related laws.
bit.ly
May 20, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Arkansas grassroots orgs are fighting back against attacks on direct democracy. For AR Kids & Protect AR Rights filed to defend Arkansans’ First Amendment rights and access to the ballot measure process. 🙌 Catch up on the legal fight via @grajeda.bsky.social and @arkansasadvocate.com bit.ly/44EItFJ
At the Road Ahead ’25 conference, I joined movement leaders & experts to discuss protecting ballot measure access. This isn’t just a democracy issue—it’s key to equity and justice across all issues. We urge funders to join @rwjf.bsky.social in defending this process. Learn more: bit.ly/43CSId1
May 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
At the Road Ahead ’25 conference, I joined movement leaders & experts to discuss protecting ballot measure access. This isn’t just a democracy issue—it’s key to equity and justice across all issues. We urge funders to join @rwjf.bsky.social in defending this process. Learn more: bit.ly/43CSId1
Nonprofits are catalysts—shifting policy and reimagining systems to support communities. Foundations help power that change. Today, both face growing attacks meant to silence and destabilize them. Fellow grantmakers, join @rwjf.bsky.social in signing this critical statement: cof.org/page/public-...
A Public Statement From Philanthropy
We invite all charitable giving organizations to join us in this effort to protect our freedom to express ourselves, to give, and to invest in our communities. Please sign on to the statement below to...
cof.org
May 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Nonprofits are catalysts—shifting policy and reimagining systems to support communities. Foundations help power that change. Today, both face growing attacks meant to silence and destabilize them. Fellow grantmakers, join @rwjf.bsky.social in signing this critical statement: cof.org/page/public-...
Lawmakers in several states are making it harder for voters to pass the policies they care about—like expanding health care and protecting reproductive rights.
Strong reporting from @nytimes.com s’ @emilyscochrane.bsky.social on attacks on the ballot measure process: bit.ly/4iPuIHq
Strong reporting from @nytimes.com s’ @emilyscochrane.bsky.social on attacks on the ballot measure process: bit.ly/4iPuIHq
States Are Tightening Rules for Getting Citizen-Led Proposals on the Ballot
Florida and Arkansas both recently added restrictions to the citizen amendment process, after ballot measures to expand abortion rights were successful in other states.
bit.ly
May 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Lawmakers in several states are making it harder for voters to pass the policies they care about—like expanding health care and protecting reproductive rights.
Strong reporting from @nytimes.com s’ @emilyscochrane.bsky.social on attacks on the ballot measure process: bit.ly/4iPuIHq
Strong reporting from @nytimes.com s’ @emilyscochrane.bsky.social on attacks on the ballot measure process: bit.ly/4iPuIHq
In 100 days, the Trump administration has gutted health equity programs, fired public health workers & defunded lifesaving research. This isn’t just policy—it’s an attack on equitable health care. Funders: don’t pull back. Retreat fuels backlash & undermines decades of progress. bit.ly/4jUQDy3
Three Lessons for Advancing Equity in Challenging Times
We must preserve the progress those before us achieved and stand firm in our belief that health should not be a privilege for some, but a right for all.
bit.ly
May 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In 100 days, the Trump administration has gutted health equity programs, fired public health workers & defunded lifesaving research. This isn’t just policy—it’s an attack on equitable health care. Funders: don’t pull back. Retreat fuels backlash & undermines decades of progress. bit.ly/4jUQDy3
#BlackMaternalHealthWeek, founded by @blackmamasmatter.bsky.social, is an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to reproductive justice and protect vital pathways—like ballot measures—to policies that repair the legacy of systemic oppression and health inequities. bit.ly/4jy3MNs
Maternal and Infant Health
Addressing health inequities to ensure that all pregnant people—regardless of skin color, income, or ZIP code—have the opportunity for healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and the ability to thrive.
bit.ly
April 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
#BlackMaternalHealthWeek, founded by @blackmamasmatter.bsky.social, is an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to reproductive justice and protect vital pathways—like ballot measures—to policies that repair the legacy of systemic oppression and health inequities. bit.ly/4jy3MNs
Excited to share a new resource from @rwjf.bsky.social! This page will keep you informed on our work to protect access to the ballot measure process and promote inclusive policymaking—two critical tools of democracy. Find the latest updates, partner spotlights, and key insights here: bit.ly/43CSId1
Promoting Policy Tools That Advance Health and Racial Equity
RWJF is committed to promoting and protecting inclusive policymaking and ballot measure access, two democratic tools that are critical to achieving a world where health is not a privilege for some but...
bit.ly
April 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Excited to share a new resource from @rwjf.bsky.social! This page will keep you informed on our work to protect access to the ballot measure process and promote inclusive policymaking—two critical tools of democracy. Find the latest updates, partner spotlights, and key insights here: bit.ly/43CSId1
Direct democracy is under attack—and that should concern us all. In his latest article, The Need to Protect Direct Democracy, Marcus Gadson makes a compelling case for why citizen-led ballot measures matter more than ever as legislatures work to weaken them. Read his full piece here: bit.ly/3RnBfOi
The Need to Protect Direct Democracy
Citizens in half the states have the power to place initiatives or referendums on the ballot. That process is under threat, but in an era of partisan gerrymandering and unresponsive legislatures we mu...
bit.ly
April 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Direct democracy is under attack—and that should concern us all. In his latest article, The Need to Protect Direct Democracy, Marcus Gadson makes a compelling case for why citizen-led ballot measures matter more than ever as legislatures work to weaken them. Read his full piece here: bit.ly/3RnBfOi
Yesterday marked 15 years since the Affordable Care Act's enactment—a pivotal step for #HealthEquity. Ballot measures have helped expand Medicaid, building on this progress. Protecting this process helps ensure that more people have access to affordable health care. bit.ly/4iU5mZu
Why We Are Defending Policy Tools That Advance Equity
Race-conscious policies and the ballot measure process help give us all a fair and just opportunity for health.
bit.ly
March 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Yesterday marked 15 years since the Affordable Care Act's enactment—a pivotal step for #HealthEquity. Ballot measures have helped expand Medicaid, building on this progress. Protecting this process helps ensure that more people have access to affordable health care. bit.ly/4iU5mZu
I recently joined @gihealth.bsky.social for a webinar on growing threats to #directdemocracy and #healthequity - and why funders must act urgently to protect the ballot measure process. Learn more about @rwjf.bsky.social priority to protect the ballot measure process: www.rwjf.org/en/insights/...
Why We Are Defending Policy Tools That Advance Equity
Race-conscious policies and the ballot measure process help give us all a fair and just opportunity for health.
www.rwjf.org
March 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I recently joined @gihealth.bsky.social for a webinar on growing threats to #directdemocracy and #healthequity - and why funders must act urgently to protect the ballot measure process. Learn more about @rwjf.bsky.social priority to protect the ballot measure process: www.rwjf.org/en/insights/...
Reposted by Liz DiLauro
BREAKING: A court overturned Ohio's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
This is a critical victory for trans rights.
This is a critical victory for trans rights.
March 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
BREAKING: A court overturned Ohio's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
This is a critical victory for trans rights.
This is a critical victory for trans rights.
Today is the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a key moment in the fight for voting rights. For generations, Black communities have fought for equal participation in democracy, a legacy @rwjf.bsky.social honors by defending ballot measures as a vital pathway to health and racial justice. bit.ly/3EXnfaY
How the Ballot Measure Process Strengthens Democracy and Health Equity
The ballot measure process gives marginalized communities a direct way to shape policies that affect their health and wellbeing.
bit.ly
March 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today is the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a key moment in the fight for voting rights. For generations, Black communities have fought for equal participation in democracy, a legacy @rwjf.bsky.social honors by defending ballot measures as a vital pathway to health and racial justice. bit.ly/3EXnfaY
“We at RWJF recommit ourselves to creating a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right…and we rededicate ourselves to taking bold leaps even in the face of hostility and obstruction.”
Read the full message from @rwjf.bsky.social CEO Richard Besser, MD: rwjf.ws/j7Zkup
Read the full message from @rwjf.bsky.social CEO Richard Besser, MD: rwjf.ws/j7Zkup
Reaffirming Our Shared Vision
To create the future we all want to see, RWJF has no choice but to remain steadfast, alongside grantees and partners, in its pursuit of a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.
rwjf.ws
March 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
“We at RWJF recommit ourselves to creating a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right…and we rededicate ourselves to taking bold leaps even in the face of hostility and obstruction.”
Read the full message from @rwjf.bsky.social CEO Richard Besser, MD: rwjf.ws/j7Zkup
Read the full message from @rwjf.bsky.social CEO Richard Besser, MD: rwjf.ws/j7Zkup
Ballot measures give people—especially those pushed to the margins—a direct say in policies that matter. As progress grows, so do attacks on this tool. Grateful to talk w/ @drwolfe.bsky.social @insidephilanthropy.com about what’s at stake & how partners are defending this process. @rwjf.bsky.social
Addressing attacks on ballot measure processes are “the most expensive and high-impact work we do,” said Fairness Project ED Kelly Hall. “Those are the dollars we most desperately need, and they are the hardest to come by."
@drwolfe.bsky.social reports: www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/how-pri...
@drwolfe.bsky.social reports: www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/how-pri...
How Private Foundations Can Help Protect Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is spending money and influence to protect citizen-led ballot initiatives. Its work is just the beginning of what’s needed for this form of democracy to survive.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
February 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Ballot measures give people—especially those pushed to the margins—a direct say in policies that matter. As progress grows, so do attacks on this tool. Grateful to talk w/ @drwolfe.bsky.social @insidephilanthropy.com about what’s at stake & how partners are defending this process. @rwjf.bsky.social