Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that he was appointed to the Health Committee for the 2014 legislative session. Along with this new appointment, Steck has kept his previous year’s assignments on the Children and Families, Insurance, Judiciary and Transportation committees.

“I am honored that Speaker Silver appointed me to the Health Committee, one of the most significant committees in our house and one that is usually reserved for more senior members,” Assemblymember Steck said. “As a former County Legislator, no one is more aware of the high cost Medicaid imposes on county government. Furthermore, it will be a pleasure to work with Chairman Dick Gottfried, one of the leaders in health policy in this nation and a fellow supporter of Medicare for All.”

Assemblymember Steck has long made reforming Medicaid, self-insurance and Medicare for All (single-payer health insurance) top priorities of his. Being assigned to both Health and Insurance Committees uniquely positions him to work on these issues. Presently Assemblymember Steck is working on bills that would allow all municipalities, including school districts, to join County self-insured health plans, saving taxpayer dollars, and also allowing sole proprietors to join group plans rather than going through the Affordable Care Act's health care exchange, which would enable small businesses to cut health care costs.