Lara Kassel is the coordinator of Medicaid Matters New York, the statewide coalition of over 100 individuals and organizations representing the interests of New Yorkers served by the Medicaid program. In her role as coordinator, Lara organizes all the activities of this diverse coalition, which works to ensure that Medicaid consumer interests are included, understood, and met in any and all discussions on Medicaid in New York. She was a member of the original Medicaid Redesign Team, and she served on the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Project Approval and Oversight Panel. Lara has been recognized by peer organizations for her role as a consumer advocate, including the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association and Health Care for All New York. Prior to joining Medicaid Matters, she served as legislative staff to former Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried. Lara has a bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo, where she majored in sociology.