Assemblywoman Rhoda S. Jacobs 42nd Assembly District
Rhoda S. Jacobs, Democrat, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. First elected to the Assembly in 1978, she is currently serving her ninth term, representing part of Flatbush.
Since 1987, Ms. Jacobs has been the Chairperson of the Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services. She was responsible for the enactment of the 1990 Welfare Reform Act and in 1991 she sponsored a Medicaid Reform measure assuring proper access to necessary care under the program. She has dealt with issues affecting providers and recipients. She has stood firmly against elimination in services and reductions in payments to providers that abdicate longstanding public responsibility for many of our neediest citizens and the general public, as well. Her achievements reflect her commitment to improving access to quality, affordable health care for all.
In 1988, Assembly member Jacobs led the fight against breast cancer, introducing the landmark legislation requiring the health insurance reimbursement for mammography screening of women of various ages and risk groups. In 1990, Ms. Jacobs was responsible for the enactment of another landmark bill requiring certain cancer drugs to be covered by insurance policies. Her achievements in these areas, as well as, in the area of child health have contributed to a monumental change in the way we approach health care delivery; emphasizing prevention and early detection.
Ms. Jacobs serves as a member of the following Assembly Committees: Banks; Insurance, and Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions. Ms. Jacobs is also the CoChair Task Force on AIDS; New Americans; Women's Issues; the Legislative Women's Caucus; and the Prenatal Care Committee. Ms. Jacobs was also appointed as an honorary member of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.
