James Tallon remembered: Former Assemblyman a 'towering figure' in Binghamton politics

Former New York State Assembly Majority Leader James Tallon Jr. is being remembered for his leadership on healthcare issues and devoted service to the state following his death on July 9.

Tallon served as representative of the 124th district for 19 years. During his time in the Assembly, he served five years as majority leader and served on the Assembly Health Committee in his first year in office.

Just a few years later, Tallon became the committee's chairman, where according to his obituary, he started his “lifelong quest” to ensure a better healthcare system for all, especially those lacking resources.

For the Binghamton area in particular — the 124th district previously included the City of Binghamton — Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said Tallon was a “towering figure.”

Tallon died at Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott. He was 82.

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Tallon was 'true public servant' for New York State Assembly

Tallon was born in Brooklyn, and grew up in Binghamton. He graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor's degree in political science and earned a master's degree in international relations from Boston University.

Tallon's career began in healthcare. In 1972, two years before he was elected to the Assembly, he was named president of the NY-Penn Health Planning Commission. The experience fueled his focus in state government, during which time he sponsored legislation including hospital financing reform, Medicaid fee increases and healthcare proxy establishment.

"James deeply understood that healthcare needed to be accessible and affordable, and spent his years in public office fighting to ensure care for our most vulnerable," Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a news release. "James was a true public servant and his loss to our state is tremendous."

In a Twitter post, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli called Tallon's leadership on healthcare issues "especially impactful, improving the lives of all New Yorkers."

According to his obituary, one of Tallon's proudest accomplishments was his central role in designing and enacting the New York State Child Health Plus program, which expanded health insurance to millions of children across the state. The program, enacted in 1990, was the basis for the federal State Children's Insurance Program launched in 1997.

"Majority Leader Jim Tallon exemplified devotion to his family, his community and the state to which he gave a lifetime of service,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Monday. “We owe an extraordinary debt of gratitude for Jim’s leadership on health care access and affordability, and his commitment to bettering the lives of the most vulnerable."

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Health policy drives legacy of James Tallon

Following his tenure in the Assembly, Tallon joined the United Hospital Fund (UHF) in 1993, a nonprofit organization which seeks to break down barriers and build an effective and equitable healthcare system in New York City. He served as president until he retired in 2017.

In a tribute by the UHF, the organization honored Tallon, emphasizing his years of service and the initiatives created under his leadership, but also his humanity, which the group said was imbued in every decision Tallon made.

"Jim will be remembered well for his important voice in health policy, but also for his great personal integrity and deep commitment to the pursuit of better health and health care," said UHF president and CEO Oxiris Barbot. "He will be greatly missed."

For Lupardo, Tallon was a role model and a mentor, particularly during her early years in the state assembly. He was "a giant in every sense of the word," Lupardo said, "serving with dignity and distinction.

"Jim taught me what it means to be a true public servant. I will be forever grateful for his wise counsel.”

Hochul called for flags on state buildings to be flown at half-staff Tuesday in Tallon's honor.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: James Tallon, 82, spearheaded NY health policy during Assembly tenure