Health Archives - Byrne4NY

Assembly GOP Blasts Commissioner’s Testimony At Hearing On NY’s COVID-19 Response In Nursing Homes

Posted: August 4, 2020 in Health

Dr. Zucker, Clear Your Calendar For August 10. Assembly Republicans criticized the testimony provided by state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker during today’s joint legislative hearing on residential health care facilities and COVID-19. Commissioner Zucker, whose March 25 order required nursing homes to accept patients testing positive for COVID-19, offered limited testimony and ended his […]

ASSEMBLY GOP ON HEARINGS SURROUNDING SPREAD OF COVID-19 AT NURSING HOMES

Posted: July 28, 2020 in Health

In April and May, members of the Assembly Minority Conference called on the chairmen of the Committees on Aging, Health and Oversight, Analysis and Investigations to convene hearings to review and investigate New York’s policies, decisions and protocols that were utilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on state-regulated nursing home facilities. Recently, those committees announced hearings have been scheduled for August 3 and […]

Byrne Passes Resolution to Proclaim Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day in New York

Posted: June 11, 2020 in Equality, Health, Life

A complete video of the resolution passing, including remarks from Assembly members Byrne and Bichotte may be viewed HERE Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce the resolution he introduced to proclaim October 15, 2020 as Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the state of New York has passed the Assembly unanimously. Sadly, […]

Byrne Joins Assembly Colleagues to Ensure Death Benefits Get to Families of Municipal Front-line Workers

Posted: May 29, 2020 in First Responders, Health, In the News, Workers

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to report that after much advocacy from front line public workers and his colleagues in the Assembly, early Friday morning he voted in favor of and helped pass legislation (A.10528) to ensure that families of municipal front-line workers who lost their lives to COVID-19 as a result of their service […]

New Yorkers Can’t Afford To Ignore Dental Health

Posted: May 19, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to report that as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly’s Committee on Health, he joined colleagues led by Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I,Ref-Brooklyn, Staten Island) in requesting that Gov. Andrew Cuomo permit dentists to safely reopen their offices and resume their important practice. Due to the governor’s NY […]

Assembly Minority Conference Calls for Legislative Hearings on COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Nursing Homes

Posted: May 12, 2020 in Health, In the News

In a letter to the chairmen of the Committees on Aging, Health, and Oversight, Analysis and Investigations, members of the Assembly Minority Conference have called on the Legislature to convene a hearing to review and investigate New York’s policies, decisions and protocols that were utilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on […]

Byrne: Don’t Punish Out-Of-State Healthcare Workers Who Answered Our Plea for Help

Posted: May 12, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce his full support and co-sponsorship of legislation introduced by Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino (R,C,I-Sayville) and Sen. Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) which would waive state income taxes for first responders, healthcare workers and other professionals who have come to New York to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

Garbarino & Byrne Call for Health Committee Public Hearing Into Nursing Home COVID-19 Deaths

Posted: April 28, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino (R,C,I-Sayville), a member of the Assembly Committee on Health, is calling for the committee to exercise oversight to help discover what made New York nursing homes especially vulnerable to high COVID-19 death rates. He and his colleague, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac), who is the ranking Republican of the Assembly Health Committee, wrote […]

Gallivan and Byrne Call on Governor to Prioritize Antibody Testing For Blood and Plasma Donors

Posted: April 21, 2020 in Health, In the News

Below is a copy of letter, publicly available, sent by Senator Patrick Gallivan and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne addressed to Governor Cuomo and copied to Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker. The letter requests that as the state begins to build capacity to conduct antibody testing, it consider giving priority to residents who donate blood. […]

April is Donate Life Month

Posted: April 10, 2020 in Health, In the News, Life

In honor of April being National Donate Life Month, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is encouraging New Yorkers to consider registering as an organ and tissue donor. Last year, the Assembly passed a resolution to declare April as Donate Life Month in New York. Currently, there are over 100,000 people on the national organ and […]

Budget Marathon Comes to a Finish for New York

Posted: April 6, 2020 in Business, Drug Crisis, Health, In the News, Taxes

An Op-Ed from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) After another marathon budget week in Albany, the Assembly, Senate and Gov. Cuomo finally came to an agreement and finished the state’s 2020-21 budget. Due at midnight on Wednesday, April 1, the complete budget was not passed until approximately 3:30 a.m. on Friday, April 3, once again appropriating billions […]

EMS and 911 Dispatch are Essential in COVID-19 Crisis

Posted: April 3, 2020 in Health, In the News, Public Safety

A Letter to the Editor from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) To Our Friends in the First Responder Community, Since Gov. Cuomo announced the 100 percent workforce reduction of all non-essential businesses, I’ve heard many of you expressing your concern and dismay about EMS and 911 dispatch not being listed alongside fire protection and law enforcement […]

State Supports Expecting Mothers & Support Person During Childbirth

Posted: March 31, 2020 in Health, In the News, Life

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to report Gov. Cuomo recently signed an executive order with a directive which clarified a previous order barring all visitors in hospitals as a response to COVID-19. The new directive clarified that a pregnant woman’s support person during childbirth is still considered essential, and thereby mandates all hospitals to allow pregnant […]

Looking at the Future to Build Healthcare Openness and Access

Posted: March 30, 2020 in Health, In the News

According to the 2020 Healthcare Openness and Access Project (HOAP) report pre-released by the Mercatus Center, New York is ranked 49out of 51 (50 states plus Washington D.C.) in terms of overall openness and access to healthcare. “I’m pleased that Gov. Cuomo has taken decisive steps to not only ‘flatten the curve,’ but also ‘raise […]

Byrne Calls To Protect Physicians in State Budget

Posted: March 27, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pushing for continued support in the state budget to prevent the state’s high malpractice insurance costs from being pushed onto physicians. Currently, the Medicaid Redesign Team II is proposing a $52 million cut, shifting the cost back onto physicians enrolled in the excess Medical Malpractice Insurance Program. “It’s high time […]

New Assistance for Families Quarantined Due to COVID-19

Posted: March 19, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is proud to announce bipartisan legislation (A.10153) which extends New York’s paid family leave program to those who are under government-mandated quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak, passed the Assembly with his support and was recently signed into law by Governor Cuomo on March 18, 2020. “COVID-19 is not only […]

Byrne Supports Small Business Emergency Recovery Act of 2020

Posted: March 17, 2020 in Business, Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is joining his Assembly colleagues in proposing the “Small Business Emergency Recovery Act of 2020.” The act would provide immediate relief and assistance to small business owners and their employees amid the COVID-19 outbreak. “We have been thrust into an unprecedented situation which has not only jeopardized public health but places […]

Assemblymen Byrne, Ashby, Lalor, Brabenec and Schmitt Call for Restoration of Funding for Critical Veterans’ Services

Posted: March 6, 2020 in Health, In the News, Veterans

Assemblymen Jake Ashby (R,C,I,Ref-Castleton) and Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) co-hosted a “Voices for Veterans” event, alongside their colleagues in the Assembly MinorityConference, today at the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Vet to Vet Outreach Center & Mental Health Association in Putnam County, Inc. office in Brewster, where they called for the immediate restoration of Gov. Cuomo’s planned $5.68 million […]

Governor Shuts Out Legislative Leaders from Medicaid Redesign Team

Posted: February 5, 2020 in Health, In the News, Public Safety

A statement from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) “It is a slap in the face to both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate and Assembly to not have their respective leaders included in the Medicaid Redesign Team II (MRT 2), which is currently made up entirely by appointments from Gov. Cuomo. This is in contrast […]

Byrne Advances In Leadership On Assembly Health Committee

Posted: January 14, 2020 in Health, In the News

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) is pleased to announce Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) will be taking on two new positions as ranking minority member of the Health Committee and the new chairman of the Assembly Minority Conference Program Committee. “This new responsibility will allow me to utilize my experience and background in […]

NEW YORKERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SEEK BETTER LONG-TERM DIRECT CARE SUPPORT

Posted: December 1, 2019 in Health, In the News

On Thursday, November 21, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) joined Assemblywoman Melissa “Missy” Miller (R,C,I-Atlantic Beach) and fellow Assembly colleagues at her Homecare Support Hearing on Long Island. The assemblymembers listened to testimony from numerous advocates for those with special needs, including family members and providers. Advocates helped shed light on existing flaws in the current state system […]

Byrne Delivers Assembly Resolution to Constituent

Posted: November 1, 2019 in Community, Health, In the News

On Friday, October 25th, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) met with constituent and Putnam County resident, Marianne DeMasi Chaluisan to deliver a resolution he passed in the Assembly raising awareness for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). CRPS is a rare disease characterized by acute pain, swelling and tenderness of […]

Trailblazing With Byrne In Putnam & Westchester

Posted: October 28, 2019 in Community, Environment, Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne is pleased to report that after hosting seven of his informal “Coffee with Kevin” constituent forums around the district, he completed two “Trailblazing with Byrne” forums, as well. On Saturday, October 19th Byrne hosted a walk in Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown and on Saturday October 26th he hosted an […]

Byrne Hosts Successful Shed the Meds in Carmel

Posted: September 22, 2019 in Community, Drug Crisis, Health, In the News, Public Safety

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce the success of the Shed the Meds event he hosted in Carmel on September 21st at the Carmel Town Hall. Seven bags worth of unwanted medication were collected and will be safely disposed of by the Carmel Police Department. The event was co-hosted with Drug Crisis in our Backyard, Carmel Town Hall, and the Carmel Police Department. “Thank you to Drug […]

Byrne Hosts Successful Shed the Meds in Yorktown

Posted: September 10, 2019 in Community, Drug Crisis, Health, In the News, Public Safety

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce the success of the Shed the Meds event he hosted in Yorktown on Monday, September 9 at the Jefferson Village Activities Center which collected over 100 pounds of unwanted and expired medication. The event was co-hosted with Alliance for Safe Kids, Drug Crisis in our Backyard and […]

Help New York Support Families of Stillborn Children

Posted: August 23, 2019 in Health, In the News, Life, Taxes

An Op-Ed from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, Ref – Mahopac) With our state’s legislative session adjourned until next year, lawmakers throughout New York are now meeting with constituents to solicit feedback, share ideas and plan for the upcoming session. One idea I would like advance is the expansion of the state’s child tax benefit […]

Byrne’s Blood Drive Helps Ease New York’s Blood Emergency

Posted: August 2, 2019 in Community, Health, In the News

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce the success of his blood drive co-hosted with the American Red Cross at Carmel Town Hall on Wednesday, July 31. Together they were able to collect over 20 units of blood from donors throughout the area. “There is currently a blood emergency, and I’m delighted so […]

Byrne Sounds Alarm Against AlbanyCare At Public Health Hearing

Posted: May 31, 2019 in Business, Health, In the News, Taxes

“I appreciate the over 100 people who attended the joint Assembly and Senate public health hearing earlier this week to express their opinions and concerns about the financing of our existing healthcare system and who gave their input on the proposed Albany-run single-payer healthcare plan, also known as the “New York Health Act.” After listening […]

Byrne Calls for Funding of Joseph P. Dwyer Vet 2 Vet Program

Posted: February 28, 2019 in Health, In the News, Veterans

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) joined Senate and Assembly colleagues from across the aisle earlier this week for a press conference supporting the restoration of funding to the Joseph P. Dwyer Vet 2 Vet Program. The program connects veterans, active members of the armed forces and their families with others to provide peer support. The program […]

Training to save lives: Senator Murphy & Assemblyman Byrne sponsor free naloxone training event

Posted: October 13, 2018 in Community, Drug Crisis, Health

Carmel, NY – Everyone knows someone whose life has been devastated by drug addiction. In 2016, more than 42,249 people in the United States died of opioid overdoses, an average of more than 115 deaths per day. People between the ages of 25 to 34 have accounted for the most opioid deaths – 10,732 – […]

NURSES BACK BYRNE

Posted: September 26, 2018 in 2018 Endorsements, Health, In the News

September 26, 2018 / Albany, NY – Nurses from throughout the state of New York have elected to endorse Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, Ref- Mahopac) in his bid for re-election to serve the people of New York’s 94th Assembly District. Marva Wade, RN (NYSNA PAC Chair) and Jill Furillo, RN (NYSNA Executive Director) expressed […]

Assemblyman Byrne Makes Rounds At Blythedale

Posted: August 8, 2018 in Health

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref- Mahopac) paid a visit to Blythedale this week for a tour of the 110-bed facility, and to meet with hospital administration, clinical leaders, patients and their families. During his tour with hospital President & CEO Larry Levine and Chief Legal, Planning and Government Relations Officer Adam Herbst, the Assemblyman visited Blythedale’s […]

BYRNE JOINS MURPHY, YORKTOWN OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS TO “SHED THE MEDS”

Posted: July 21, 2018 in Community, Drug Crisis, Health, In the News, Public Safety

Murphy’s Drug Take-Back Program Has Kept Thousands of Pounds of Prescription Drugs Off the Streets Yorktown, NY – Nearly three-fourths of all drug overdose deaths in the United States are now caused by opioids – that includes common prescription painkillers found in the home as well as heroin and potent synthetic versions like fentanyl. […]

BYRNE WEIGHS IN ON PASSAGE OF 2018 STATE BUDGET

Posted: April 1, 2018 in Education, Health, In the News, Taxes, Transportation

“As we reflect on the passage of another state budget in Albany, we once again see how profoundly flawed and lacking in transparency the budget process has become. “Unfortunately, this year’s budget falls woefully short in providing meaningful tax relief for our overburdened working class families and fails to address the fundamental issues driving […]

BYRNE CALLS FOR MEDICAID REFORM AND TAX RELIEF

Posted: March 20, 2018 in Business, Health, In the News, Taxes

Proposal would provide instant property tax relief for New Yorkers Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref-Mahopac) joined several of his Assembly Minority colleagues in calling for a state takeover of non-federal Medicaid costs at a press conference in Albany on Monday, March 12. On Monday, March 12, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref-Mahopac) joined several of his Assembly Minority […]

Senator Murphy partners with Yorktown Police Department & Heartscan Services to sponsor free thyroid cancer screening

Posted: March 4, 2018 in First Responders, Health

Yorktown, NY – Recent clinical findings have shown that thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the United States, with reported cases tripling in the last three decades. According to the American Cancer Society, the estimated number of new cases of thyroid cancer in 2018 will reach 53,900 with 2,060 expected fatalities. To promote […]

MURPHY AND BYRNE CELEBRATE GOV. SIGNING OF CANCER COVERAGE BILL FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Posted: October 25, 2017 in First Responders, Health, In the News

Albany, NY – No one volunteers to get cancer. Volunteer firefighters fighting cancer have found that battling a health crisis with limited medical coverage can be just as daunting as running into a burning building. A bill giving firefighters the protection they need has been a long time coming. On October 22, Governor Andrew Cuomo […]

BYRNE HOSTS MOVIE SCREENING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Posted: October 20, 2017 in Community, Equality, Health, In the News

Free red carpet event featured screening of ‘The Lego Ninjago Movie’ On Saturday, October 14, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref-Mahopac) hosted a special movie event for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The free event, presented in partnership with Green Chimneys, Putnam ARC and Carmel Cinema, offered attendees the chance to walk the red […]

YORKTOWN HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF PROPERLY DISCARDING MEDICATION

Posted: August 29, 2017 in Community, Drug Crisis, Health, In the News, Public Safety

YORKTOWN, N.Y. – Residents unloaded more than 200 pounds of unwanted prescription medications last week as part of the annual “Shed the Meds” event in Yorktown organized by state Sen. Terrence Murphy. Jefferson Village in Yorktown was the latest stop on Murphy’s district-wide tour, which began in Mount Pleasant on July 31. Two weeks ago, […]

BILL BANNING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

Posted: August 10, 2017 in Education, Health, In the News

Legislation will significantly reduce youth exposure to tobacco products Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref-Mahopac) announced that on July 25, 2017 Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation A.611/S.750 that immediately banned the use of electronic cigarettes on all public and private school grounds in New York. Byrne is a co-sponsor of the Assembly bill introduced by Assemblywoman […]

BYRNE SUPPORTS HEALTH FAIR FOR PUTNAM VALLEY SENIORS

Posted: July 12, 2017 in Community, Health, In the News

On July 12, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref-Mahopac) participated in the 2017 Putnam Valley Senior Health Fair at the Putnam Valley Senior Center. Hundreds of local residents attended the free event offered in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital and the Putnam Valley Seniors, and enjoyed an array of educational workshops and demonstrations. The day’s activities […]

BYRNE PASSES BILL IMPROVING CANCER COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Posted: June 21, 2017 in First Responders, Health, In the News

Legislation would offer enhanced benefits to individuals who develop cancer Yesterday, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, I, Ref-Mahopac) announced the state Assembly’s passage of a bill (A.711B) that would enact the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Gap Coverage Cancer Disability Benefits Act, providing crucial support to volunteer firefighters who develop certain types of cancers due […]

BYRNE CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF BILL IMPROVING CANCER COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Posted: June 14, 2017 in First Responders, Health, In the News

Today, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, I, Ref-Mahopac) called on the leadership in the state Assembly to take up a bill A.711A that would enact the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Gap Coverage Cancer Disability Benefits Act, providing crucial support to volunteer firefighters who develop certain types of cancers due to the hazardous exposures from […]

HEALTH FAIR SPONSORED BY SENATOR MURPHY AND ASSEMBLYMAN BYRNE HELPS SENIORS GEAR UP FOR HEALTHY SUMMER

Posted: May 27, 2017 in Community, Health, In the News

Yorktown, NY – An overflow crowd of seniors joined Senator Terrence Murphy and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne for a free senior health fair at the Yorktown Community Cultural Center on May 25th. A wide range of agencies were on hand to highlight a broad range of services that included ride sharing, senior housing and long term […]

BYRNE PASSES ASSEMBLY BILL INCREASING ACCESS TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS

Posted: May 17, 2017 in Health, In the News

A statement from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne “I am thrilled to report a bill I co-sponsored amending the public health law to increase widespread access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) was brought before the Assembly yesterday and passed with overwhelming support.” “The lead sponsor of this bill is […]