Assemblyman Josh Jensen (R,C-Greece) was listed in City & State’s Health Care Power 100, which identifies the most important public officials, health care leaders and other individuals who are seeking solutions to challenges in this area every day.
New York has faced a severe health care worker crisis, in which nearly 34,000 workers quit due to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, mental health struggles and unfair wages. Providers across the health care continuum in all areas of the state are in dire need of critically important frontline staff, and Jensen has championed for the health care field to get back on its feet.
Jensen, the top Republican on the Assembly Health Committee, has been proactive on a number of policy issues. Jensen has said the state needs to explore a potential interstate nursing licensure compact to boost nurses in New York, including joining a bipartisan push calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to extend coronavirus-era executive orders on interstate licensing.
In 2022, the state budget included bonus payments for certain frontline health care workers if the provider was enrolled in Medicaid. Eligible employees include nurses (i.e. RN and LPN), aides, technicians, physician assistants, therapists (e.g. occupational and physical), public and non-public school nurses, BOCES and medical assistants. However, other frontline health job titles were excluded, which led Jensen to call on Gov. Hochul and New York State Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett to expand eligibility for all frontline health care and support staff.
Last year, Jensen stood in support of the efforts to push for increased Medicaid reimbursement for our health care system. He urged prioritizing funding for nursing homes and providing assistance to clear the patient backlogs.
Jensen has showcased an unwavering commitment to providing a better health care system for all New Yorkers earning his spot on this year’s City and State Health Care Power 100. As for this year’s legislative session in Albany, he has plans to get Medicaid back on track, and he will remain steadfast on Early Intervention and supporting senior care centers.
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