Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) voted against the Health and Mental Hygiene budget bill, saying the final plan did not go far enough to help families dealing with addiction, mental health challenges and rising health care costs.

DeStefano said one of the biggest missed opportunities was the omission of language that would have made it easier for providers to serve people dealing with both mental health and addiction issues under one integrated behavioral health license. DeStefano also raised concerns about affordability, warning that changes to the Managed Care Organization provider tax could create new cost pressures in a state where families and small businesses are already struggling with high health care costs.

“People are already paying too much for health insurance, prescriptions and basic care,” DeStefano said. “Albany needs to be focused on lowering costs, not creating new ways to push them higher.”

He said the bill also missed a chance to expand practical care options, including community paramedicine and hospital-at-home services, which could help seniors, people with disabilities and families who need care closer to home.

“This is the kind of reform that actually makes sense,” DeStefano said. “Bring care closer to people, reduce pressure on hospitals and make the system easier to use. Albany had a chance to do that, and they left it out.”

DeStefano said his vote was about demanding a better approach.

“New Yorkers deserve a health care system that is easier to access, easier to afford and easier to navigate,” DeStefano said. “This bill did not get us there.”