Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8487: Relates to establishing a Legionnaires' disease awareness and education program

This bill requires New York's health department to create and maintain an ongoing public education program about Legionnaires' disease, a type of lung infection. The program must provide clear information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment through printed materials for healthcare providers to share with patients, plus updated content on the department's website. The health department must regularly review and update this information and report every three years to state leaders on the program's progress. The program applies directly to the state health department, healthcare providers distributing materials, and the public seeking information about Legionnaires' disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public health education program for Legionnaires' disease, strengthening disease awareness and prevention efforts within healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4102: Requires the establishment of community housing waiting lists within the office of mental health service system

Requires the establishment of community housing waiting lists within the office of mental health service system; directs each provider of housing services in the office of mental health system to provide, on a monthly basis, the office of mental health with a list of each person referred to, admitted to, applying for, withdrawing an application for and denied admission to housing provided by such provider; requires the community-based agency performing assessments of persons with a documented mental illness to provide the office with the names of such who have been assessed and who meet the eligibility criteria for the array of funded and/or licensed housing programs; requires such office to publish such waiting lists on a monthly basis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health housing waiting lists to track access, improving patient access to community housing services within mental health system95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6522: Relates to Medicaid accountable care organizations

Bill A 6522 allows specific Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to purchase group health insurance policies for their members and employees. It permits ACOs comprised solely of private physician practices to offer experience-rated health insurance plans. The bill establishes requirements for these policies, including minimum coverage numbers and methods for premium payment. It also exempts qualifying ACOs from certain small group rating rules, provided they meet criteria such as having a minimum number of employers and a significant Medicaid patient base.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables Medicaid ACOs to offer experience-rated insurance plans, expanding coverage options and access for members while exempting them from restrictive rating rules.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5955: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for acupuncture services

This bill requires most large employer-sponsored health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Specifically, it mandates that plans covering physician office services or major medical coverage must include acupuncture treatment (as defined by law) without denying coverage based on the provider's scope of practice. Plans may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles, co-pays, or benefit limits for these services. The law directly affects health insurers and employers offering large group health plans, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture services, expanding patient access without scope-based denial, directly advancing health coverage under healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer health plans to cover acupuncture, expanding employee health benefits under employment standards without restricting access, aligning with worker benefit protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4306: Requires patient hospital admissions form to allow patient to designate a domestic partner with the same privileges as a next-of-kin respecting authorizing surgery

Requires patient hospital admissions form to allow a patient to designate a domestic partner with the same privileges as a next-of-kin respecting visitation and the authorizing of surgery for a patient in the absence and unavailability of a next-of-kin or nearest relative where the patient has given no specific instructions and becomes unable to execute a health care proxy or make decisions about their health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient rights by allowing domestic partners to make healthcare decisions when patients cannot, aligning with protections for patient autonomy in healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 614: Provides for enrollment in medical assistance programs for incarcerated individuals

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical assistance access for released inmates, supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism through healthcare continuity post-release.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides presumptive eligibility for medical assistance upon release from correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population by enabling enrollment without delay.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 3188: Limits physician charges for missed appointments by patients

Relates to physician charges for missed appointments by patients; bars physicians from charging fees if a patient arrives on time for appointment but was not seen; requires written policy about missed appointments be prominently posted in patient waiting room and included in bills mailed to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars physicians from charging patients for missed appointments when they arrived on time, protecting patient rights and preventing unfair fees in healthcare billing practices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 2113: Relates to Medicaid accountable care organizations

Senate Bill 2113 allows Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) comprised of private physician practices to purchase group health insurance for their members and employees. The bill amends insurance law to create a new category for these specific ACO policies, requiring the organizations to be established for purposes other than just obtaining insurance and to have been active for at least two years. These policies must cover a minimum of 100 individuals at the time of issue and can be funded by the ACO, members, or both. It also exempts qualifying ACO policies from certain small group rating rules, enabling them to access experience-rated health insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables Medicaid ACOs to purchase group insurance, expanding coverage options for members/employees through new insurance category requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4500: Enacts the consumer wheelchair repair bill of rights act

Enacts the "consumer wheelchair repair bill of rights act" requiring manufacturers to make available certain documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools necessary for repairing equipment; establishes a timely repair for wheelchair program; deems all wheelchair repairs needed within 5 years of initial prescription medically necessary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures timely wheelchair repairs, extends warranties, and deems repairs medically necessary - improves access to essential medical equipment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8545: Relates to newborn screening for Gaucher disease

This bill requires all newborns in New York to be screened for Gaucher disease as part of routine newborn health testing. It directly affects newborns and their families by adding Gaucher disease to the state's mandatory screening panel under public health law. The key provision amends health law to mandate this specific test, ensuring early detection of this rare genetic metabolic disorder at birth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn screening for Gaucher disease, expanding public health prevention efforts to ensure early detection of rare genetic disorder.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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