Jill Biden Lands New Gig in the Swamp
Jill Biden has secured a new position in Washington’s political ecosystem, joining the Milken Institute to lead their newly launched “Women’s Health Network” initiative.
The organization announced Tuesday in a formal press release that outlined her leadership role that the former first lady will serve as chair of the initiative at the center-left nonprofit organization.
She is stepping into a prominent position just months after departing the White House following her husband’s unsuccessful reelection campaign.
Despite holding a doctorate in education rather than medicine, Biden will spearhead efforts to promote research and development of women’s health services by “elevating existing and new efforts across the women’s health ecosystem.”
Her educational background includes a dissertation titled “Student Retention at the Community College: Meeting Students’ Needs,” with most of her professional career focused on teaching English and writing courses rather than healthcare administration or medical research.
Biden does have some history in health advocacy, having founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative in 1993, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, though her primary career focus has remained in education throughout her professional life.
While serving as first lady during her husband’s administration, the Daily Caller reported that Biden continued teaching English and writing courses at Northern Virginia Community College, maintaining her educational career alongside her White House duties.
The Milken Institute, which describes itself as a nonpartisan think tank but has been identified as center-left by watchdog organizations, appears eager to capitalize on Biden’s White House connections and public profile in this new venture.
Esther Krofah, executive vice president of Milken Institute Health, expressed enthusiastic support for Biden’s new role, stating, “The Milken Institute is grateful for Dr. Biden’s leadership during her tenure in the White House and her steadfast commitment to championing investment in women’s health.”
Krofah elaborated on the institute’s satisfaction with the appointment, adding, “We are so pleased she will join us as we launch and grow the Women’s Health Network,” suggesting the former first lady brings valuable political capital to the organization.
The Milken executive highlighted concerns about funding disparities in women’s health research, noting, “Data shows that women’s health faces persistent underinvestment in research and innovation across many disease conditions that affect women uniquely, differently, or disproportionately.”
She continued by expressing optimism about the initiative’s potential impact, saying, “However, we know progress is possible and it can be achieved through partnerships in the Network that can transform women’s health and well-being for years to come.”
Prior to leaving the White House, the Associated Press reported that Biden announced $100 million in federal funding for women’s health research in February 2024, as part of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, a program that may have connections to her new role at the Milken Institute.
The institute itself has a complex history and political alignment.
It is most recognized for hosting annual conferences where it assembles politicians and influential figures from around the world to “discuss solutions to contemporary global issues,” according to research from Influence Watch.
These gatherings have become networking opportunities for political and business elites, with the organization generally advocating for policy positions that align with progressive priorities, including consumption taxes and expanded government programs and oversight.
The organization, however, has not exclusively endorsed liberal policies, having also supported some conservative-aligned positions such as school choice programs and decreased corporate tax rates, reflecting a mixed policy portfolio despite its generally left-leaning orientation.
The Milken Institute’s founding history adds another layer of complexity to Biden’s new role.
The Daily Caller outlined that the organization was established in the 1990s by Michael Milken, a controversial figure in American finance who was convicted of securities fraud and other financial crimes.
Milken, once known as the “junk bond king” of Wall Street, pleaded guilty to several counts of securities violations and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1990, though he ultimately served only 22 months of that sentence before being released.
His criminal past was officially forgiven when President Donald Trump granted him a pardon in 2020, rehabilitating his public image and lending greater legitimacy to the institute that bears his name.
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