Senator Kemp Hannon

Chairman NYS Senate Standing Committee on Health

Kemp Hannon, first elected to the New York State Senate in 1989, is a graduate of Boston College, Fordham Law School and Chaminade High School. He is the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Health, is the Assistant Majority Whip in the Senate Conference and is also the chair of the Health Budget Subcommittee. Regarded widely as an expert in health care public policy and often recognized for his progressive work, Senator Hannon has improved the quality of health care for all New Yorkers. He was instrumental in developing programs such as Child Health Plus (CHP), Family Health Plus (FHP), and the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program. Demonstrating his commitment to serve the public good, he created landmark legislation with the Patient Health Information and Quality Improvement Act, extending patient's access to information about health care providers.

Accountability and quality healthcare are the cornerstone of his efforts. Hannon’s record is impressive as he is responsible for numerous laws recognizing the importance of preventive medicine, medical research and treatment of disease. From spearheading the establishment of the Senate Medicaid Task Force, cosponsoring the woman's health care and prevention bill providing direct access to OB/GYN, to improved screening for cancer and osteoporosis, Hannon has had a positive impact upon health. Additionally, he has headed the health committee of the National Conference of State Legislators and serves on NCSL’s Health Policy forum.

Senator Hannon also established key laws in the areas of technology, finance, tax reform and is a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Task Force on Government Reform. In addition, he helped establish the first Empire Zone in Nassau County. His Senate Committee Assignments include Health (Chair); Codes, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Elections; Finance; Judiciary; Rules. Before his Senate Service, he was Minority Leader Pro Tempore in the Assembly.

Senator Hannon lives in Garden City, NY with his wife Bronwyn and their twin daughters Alexandra and Madeleine. Besides his legislative duties, he is an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Farrell Fritz, PC.