The New York State Catholic Conference and Healthcare Public Policy in New York State
1924-2004

From its earliest beginning, the State Catholic Conference gave priority attention to healthcare public policy issues.

The era in which the Catholic Conference was most focused on healthcare issues came in the gubernatorial administrations of Governors Nelson Rockefeller (1958-1975) and Hugh Carey (1976-1984). During this time, the Medicare and Medicaid programs were established, and particularly under Governor Carey, the “modern” state healthcare delivery system was created.; Catholic leaders played especially influential roles in these administrations.