Constituent Service Makes a Life-Changing Difference

For a 17-year-old Long Island boy suffering from severe scoliosis, the difference between a lifetime of potential medical complications and a healthier future came down to getting the right surgery—and an assemblyman willing to help.

Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano stepped into a complicated insurance dispute that had prevented the teenager from receiving a specialized spinal procedure recommended by his physician, ultimately helping clear the way for a successful operation.

The teenager had been evaluated by Dr. Brian McHugh, a Long Island neurosurgeon specializing in complex spinal deformities. Although Dr. McHugh possessed the expertise necessary to perform the corrective procedure, the boy’s insurance company directed him toward physicians within its network who lacked the specialized skills required for such a complicated operation.

After extensive discussions between Dr. McHugh’s office and the insurance provider failed to resolve the issue, DeStefano intervened.

According to Dr. McHugh, the assemblyman’s involvement helped expedite the approval process, allowing the teenager to receive the necessary care.

“We were getting nowhere with the insurance or the Department of Health,” Dr. McHugh said. “The only reason that kid got surgery was because of DeStefano’s and his office.”

The successful surgery was performed at Good Samaritan Hospital, where Dr. McHugh serves as director of spine surgery.

Dr. McHugh, who completed his neurosurgical residency at Yale and a fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, specializes in treating complex spinal conditions.

Untreated severe scoliosis can lead to increasingly serious complications as people age, making timely intervention especially important for younger patients.

For DeStefano, who’s seeking reelection to the Third Assembly District, the case illustrates the constituent service he emphasizes as a cornerstone of his public service.

His office regularly assists residents navigating government agencies, healthcare coverage, benefits and other bureaucratic obstacles.

In this case, that hands-on assistance helped a teenager obtain a potentially life-changing operation—and a brighter, healthier future.