Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8758: Replaces the term addict with the term person with substance use disorder

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates terminology to reduce stigma, aligning with patient rights and mental health best practices in healthcare documentation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 6, 2026

A 9515: Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical aid in dying protocols, enabling patient access to end-of-life care within healthcare system per bill's focus on provider requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 6, 2026

A 136: Relates to the medical aid in dying act

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes patient rights in end-of-life care, allowing terminally ill adults to request medication for a peaceful death under physician supervision, aligning with healthcare patient rights protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed both · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8544: Excludes certain medication abortion drugs from being deemed unlawful to prescribe or dispense and from being deemed misbranded under certain circumstances

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes legal barriers to prescribing medication abortion drugs, enhancing patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4914: Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state; repealer

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects reproductive and gender-affirming care access by shielding providers/receivers from out-of-state liability, aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 929: Provides for the protection of health information

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient health information privacy via consent requirements, directly advancing patient rights safeguards in healthcare policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 3486: Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency on hospital exclusions, enabling informed patient decisions and protecting rights through public disclosure of coverage barriers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1226: Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public notice before closing mental health/maternity units, protecting access to critical healthcare services and preventing service disruptions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 7501: Directs counties to develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans

Directs counties, in coordination with their regional emergency medical services councils, to develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans that provide for coordinated emergency medical systems within such counties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects counties to coordinate emergency medical systems, improving healthcare infrastructure and access to emergency services within public health framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3319: Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies

Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies covering care for other mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health insurance coverage by mandating inclusion of creative arts therapists' outpatient services, directly supporting patient access to expanded care options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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