David T. Applegate
David Applegate is a healthcare policy consultant with Milliman. He joined the firm in 2021.David brings nearly 20 years of experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement, and health and human services policy. He works with state agencies, provider organizations, and other stakeholders to design, implement, and evaluate policies and programs that improve access to care and strengthen health and human services systems. David's work is primarily focused on behavioral health, where he advises clients on a wide range of policy, financing, and system transformation initiatives. His experience includes behavioral health crisis system design, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) implementation and financing, Medicaid policy and waiver programs, value-based payment approaches, mental health and substance use disorder parity, workforce strategies, and service delivery reforms designed to improve access, quality, and coordination of care. He has supported states and stakeholders in addressing complex policy, operational, and financing challenges affecting individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
David also provides policy research, analysis, and strategic advisory support across a broad range of healthcare and public-sector issues. His work includes assessing federal and state policy developments, facilitating strategic planning efforts, evaluating program and financing models, and supporting system redesign initiatives aimed at improving outcomes and advancing organizational and state priorities.
David brings extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and qualitative research. He regularly designs and conducts stakeholder interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and surveys to inform policy development and program design. His background working with government agencies, providers, advocates, payers, consumers, community organizations, and other stakeholders enables him to help clients navigate complex policy environments and build consensus around challenging issues.
Experience
Prior to joining Milliman, David held leadership, advocacy, and government affairs roles across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Director of State Policy and Advocacy at The Kennedy Forum Illinois, where he led policy and advocacy efforts focused on expanding access to behavioral healthcare and advancing mental health and substance use disorder parity. In that role, he worked closely with consumers, providers, health plans, employers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, state agencies, legislators, and advocacy organizations to develop and advance behavioral health policy solutions.
Earlier in his career, David served on the staff of the United States Senate, where he focused on stakeholder engagement, constituent outreach, and policy issues related to healthcare and environmental policy.
- Master of Public Policy, University of Chicago
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science & Philosophy, Boston College