Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG) began its existence in 1981 as an independent “action tank” devoted to health system reform.
We were launched by progressive physician Quentin Young (founding member of the Medical Committee for Human Rights; veteran of the early civil rights demonstrations; physician to MLK during Chicago’s Marquette Park riots and for the‘68 Democratic Convention demonstrators; defiant testifier before HUAC and the Chicago Conspiracy Trials; public radio commentator and now the country’s first state-level Public Health Advocate).
We’re a one-of-a-kind organization whose small, dedicated staff and hardworking board of practitioners, policymakers, advocates and activists define health as influenced by social determinants as well as medical care.
HMPRG works to make sure that policymakers and health systems leaders make changes that will improve the health of all people. And many Health & Medicine veterans have gone on to serve in local and state government and have assumed leadership roles in national forums like the American Public Health Association.
HMPRG is a gathering place for pragmatic progressives who look at the world through a social justice lens and take on unpopular battles for our community’s most vulnerable members. They’re known for developing sound, implementable, equitable policy solutions and leverage positive change amidst tough challenges…
HMPRG has achieved significant accomplishments over the years: strengthening the health safety net in this era of health reform…working with the court system and the legislature to direct funds to ameliorate health disparities… receiving national recognition for our development of innovative models for transitional care for the elderly and our recently developed model for programming for court involved youth… expanding options for pregnant women through free-standing birth centers.