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On December 16, 2025, the HealthySteps National Office held a virtual panel discussion featuring experts in New York health policy, pediatrics, and family experiences to explore the critical role Medicaid plays in supporting young children and their families. This virtual event highlighted how Medicaid serves as a foundation for preventive care, early intervention, and developmental support — especially for children living in poverty.
Panelists shared insights on:
- How Medicaid can best support access to essential health services in the first years of life.
- The intersection of Medicaid with early intervention, maternal health and family support programs.
- Opportunities to strengthen Medicaid’s impact through policy, advocacy and cross-sector collaboration.
Whether you are a policymaker, reporter, or advocate, this session offers valuable perspectives on how Medicaid must be protected and strengthened to reduce disparities and promote healthy development from birth, in the context of new federal policies and the NY landscape.
Panelists:
- NYS Senator Cordell Cleare
- NYS Assemblymember Karines Reyes
- Lara Kassel, Medicaid Matters, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
- Victoria Brown-Dozier, Mom, Advocate, HealthySteps Family Advisor
- Allison Lieber, LCSW, CLC, IMH-E®, Program Director and HealthySteps Specialist, One Brooklyn Health
- Dr. Vanessa Salcedo, MD, MPH, Vice President of Pediatrics and Health Promotion at Union Community Health Center and District II Vice Chair for the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Elizabeth Frenette, MPH, Senior Policy Specialist, HealthySteps National Office
