NY K01071

Commends Richard J. Gallo on his retirement after 50 years in advocacy and government relations in New York State, representing clients in health, human services, and mental health including The New York State Psychiatric Association

Recognizes Gallo's leadership in establishing mental health parity laws, including Timothy's Law (2006) requiring insurers to treat mental health and substance use disorders equitably, and the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Report Act (2018) requiring compliance data reporting

Highlights Gallo's role in championing the DaVita Kidney Care dialysis center law (2007) and directing the Social Science Research Unit at SUNY Albany to create a mental health internship program

Notes Gallo served on the Nassau Town Board (1986-1988), worked with Families Together in New York State (2010-2016), and received the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Psychiatric Association (2007) and the Leila Salmon Advocacy Award (2011)

Documents the impact of Gallo's parity legislation, including the 2021 Department of Financial Services enforcement action that fined three insurers $3.1 million for non-compliance with mental health parity laws