Posted August 28, 2026

By Andrew Francis

Read on LI Herald

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Laura Gillen, representative of New York’s fourth congressional district, hosted a roundtable discussion on the impact of rising health care costs on Long Island and how to combat them. The conversation was held at Harmony Health in Roosevelt

Gillen was joined by Vanessa Baird-Streeter, CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, David Nemiroff, CEO of Harmony Health, Stacey Jackson-Harley, chief operation officer of Harmony Health, Floral Park resident Karen Brandon and two Harmony Health patient board members from Freeport and Roosevelt.

“I hear from Long Islanders all the time that health care is too expensive,” Gillen said. “I’m fighting in Congress to lower costs and ensure every family has access to affordable health care. I’m grateful to everyone who joined this round table and shared their story. I will continue to bring these stories with me to Washington [D.C.] to fight for the people of Nassau County.”

During the discussion, the group highlighted the growing challenge of unaffordable health care costs facing Long Islanders and discussed the importance of ensuring residents across Gillen’s congressional district have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.

The group also discussed ways to lower insurance premiums and prescription costs for families across Long Island.

Gillen, a Democrat, has advocated for health care reform during her tenure in Congress, fighting against cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. She has supported other legislation aimed at lowering prescription drug costs and extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.