Byrne Appointed to the Council on Health Care Financing

Posted: April 22, 2021 in Health

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) is pleased to announce that Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) has recently appointed him to serve on New York State’s Council on Health Care Financing. 

The council was originally established to examine, study and develop a new system of financing general hospitals, focusing particularly on inpatient care. It has also reported on a number of significant state reforms over the years, including the development of the Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) in 1996,as well as various amendments to HCRA in succeeding years. The council continues to work with the Legislature to advance an associated array of healthcare system reforms.

​“I’m privileged to join as a member of the Council on Health Care Financing, and am grateful to Leader Will Barclay for this opportunity,” said Byrne. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience as the ranking minority member ofthe Assembly Health Committee and as a former healthcare professional to help further the council’s mission. Healthcare spending on public programs already accounts for the largest portion of our state’s budget. For many, the effects these public programs have on peoples’ lives is immeasurable. Likewise, the financing and plans provided through the private sector, in many cases, obtained through years of carefully thought-out collective bargaining with employers, also affords over 10 million New Yorkers access to quality health care that they rightfully want protected.”

According to the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), New York’s hospitals and health systems, only a portion of the overall healthcare industry, already generates $176 billion in economic activity (10.1 percent of the state’s entire GDP). This includes 865,000 jobs, and amounts to more than $27.1 billion in taxes. 

“We have gone through the most significant public health crisis of our lifetime, and our work is far from complete,” said Barclay. “During this time Kevin Byrne has been one of the most prominent and effective voices in state government as our healthcare system has faced incredible pressures. As the Minority Conference’s ranking member on the Assembly Health Committee, Kevin has earned the respect of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle for his knowledge and tireless work on public health matters. I’m proud to appoint him to the Council on Health Care Financing and know he will be outstanding in this role.” 

“I look forward to working with colleagues on the council as we seek to pursue new safe and responsible ways to expand access to quality healthcare by increasing flexibility and payer options, recruiting and retaining talented health care staff, and utilizing new technologies to support things like telehealth and telemedicine.”

The above information was previously distributed and made public for immediate release by the Office of Assemblyman Kevin Byrne