The New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. James McDonald today discussed health care and public health proposals in Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY 2025 Executive Budget at a public event held in partnership with the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
"This presentation on Governor Hochul’s budget gave me an opportunity to outline her new initiatives to make New York the most affordable place to start a family, while giving Long Island residents the chance to provide valuable input and ask us questions about critical issues that impact their families,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “We are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have the support, programs and services they need to live an affordable, healthy and quality life.”
The FY 2025 Executive Budget makes targeted investments in initiatives to strengthen efforts to keep New Yorkers healthy and safe.
During his presentation, Commissioner McDonald outlined New York's priorities for children and families, such as Universal School Meals and free diapers.
“We appreciate the New York State Department of Health for collaborating with Health and Welfare Council of Long Island to provide an in-depth briefing of the New York State fiscal year budget,” Health and Welfare Council of Long Island President and CEO Vanessa Baird-Streeter said. “Commissioner McDonald provided keen insight into budget initiatives and expanded upon programmatic elements in an effort to provide a comprehensive understanding of Governor Hochul’s priorities for New York State residents. Offering Long Island health and human services organizations the opportunity to engage directly with state leadership demonstrates the commitment of the Governor to educate the public on new policies and initiatives for 2025 and beyond.”
In January, Governor Hochul announced on Long Island a historic initiative to ensure every single one of New York’s over 2.7 million students can receive breakfast and lunch for free at school. The program will help save parents money, address food insecurity among New York kids, and create more opportunities for students to succeed. Free school meals are estimated to save families $165 per child in monthly grocery spending support learning, boost test scores, and improve attendance and classroom behavior.
Governor Hochul announced new initiatives to make New York the most affordable place to start a family. She will partner with Baby2Baby — a national nonprofit that provides essential items to one million children living in poverty annually — to provide maternal health and newborn supply boxes to all expectant mothers enrolled in Medicaid and those reached through community-based organizations and hospitals serving lower-income areas. The boxes will provide resources, educational materials, self-care products, and diapers. This proposal is estimated to reach the families of approximately 100,000 babies at full implementation.
In addition, during his presentation, Dr. McDonald also highlighted nutrition assistance programs, maternal and women's health, minimum wage increases, and upcoming health projects.
To meet growing needs, Governor Hochul will expand the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to reach 475,000 people, ensuring they receive nutritious foods and essential services. These investments will improve the health and well-being of tens of thousands more New Yorkers and make significant progress toward the State’s goal of becoming a national leader in WIC enrollment.
Governor Hochul will also introduce new legislation to provide coverage for fertility preservation services for Medicaid members undergoing medical treatments that may lead to infertility, and to broaden eligibility for the State's Infertility Reimbursement Program, ensuring that more New Yorkers can pursue their dreams of starting a family, regardless of their income or medical background.
Commissioner McDonald also updated attendees on the Department’s ongoing efforts to control avian influenza and measles.
The 2025 State of the State Executive Budget Book can be found here.