This bill requires most health insurance plans sold in the state to cover pharmacist-provided contraceptive services, such as counseling, prescribing, or dispensing. It directly affects health insurers and patients seeking contraceptive care through pharmacies. The key provision mandates that insurance policies include these specific services without extra costs to the patient. The bill passed the Senate in January 2026 and is now under review by the Assembly's Insurance committee.
This bill (S 8756) modifies the implementation timeline for a law allowing close friends to arrange body donations for medical purposes after a person's death. It changes the effective date so that the health commissioner can immediately begin implementing the law - rather than waiting 180 days - upon the bill's passage. This adjustment primarily affects individuals who wish to donate a deceased person's body for medical education or research, ensuring faster administrative readiness. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on implementation timing, not the eligibility for body donations.
This bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.
Relates to requirements for medical professionals and health care facilities that provide medication to patients for medical aid in dying; extends the initial effectiveness of certain provisions relating thereto.
This bill establishes New York's "Medical Aid in Dying Act," allowing terminally ill adults (18+) with decision-making capacity to request and self-administer medication to end their life. To qualify, a patient must have a terminal illness confirmed by two physicians (the attending physician and a consulting physician) and make an informed decision after being fully informed of alternatives, risks, and outcomes. The process requires an oral request, a written request signed by the patient and witnessed by two non-conflicted adults (not relatives or beneficiaries), and includes the right to rescind the request at any time. The bill also mandates documentation, safe disposal of unused medication, and state reporting.
This bill allows pharmacists and certified nurse practitioners in New York to administer the mpox vaccine (and other specified vaccines like flu, COVID-19, and measles) to adults 18 and older under certain conditions. It requires the health commissioner to confirm the vaccine is safe for pharmacists to administer, needed to prevent a prevalent disease in the state, or recommended for patients lacking documentation or with specific risk factors. The law expands existing authority for pharmacists to give certain vaccines but maintains age limits (e.g., flu vaccine for ages 2+). It does not authorize unlicensed individuals to administer vaccines.
Provides that the prescribing, dispensing, or receipt of mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be considered a criminal conversion act under certain circumstances; provides that mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be deemed to be adulterated or misbranded under certain circumstances.
Permits midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate if they are in attendance at or after a fetal death.
Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state.
Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.
