Healthcare

died · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 6266: Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers

Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers that is distributed based on managed care providers' performance in meeting quality objectives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates quality incentives for managed care providers to meet performance goals, improving healthcare service quality and aligning with patient care standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9510: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans and the effectiveness of provisions of law relating thereto

This bill requires insurers and health care plans to follow specific rules when using virtual credit cards or fee-based digital payment methods to reimburse healthcare providers. Insurers must first notify providers of any potential fees, offer a fee-free payment alternative, and get the provider's written consent within 30 days to use the fee-based method. If a provider doesn't respond in time, insurers must default to the fee-free option. The law applies directly to insurers and healthcare providers who contract with them, ensuring transparency and preventing unexpected charges for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from imposing fees on providers without consent, ensuring fee-free payment options and protecting provider financial stability within healthcare reimbursement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9491: Relates to cases terminated due to mental disease or defect and to establishing reporting obligations regarding such cases

This bill (A 9491) requires courts and mental health institutions to coordinate discharge planning for defendants in criminal cases terminated due to mental disease or defect. It mandates that courts order referrals to community services (when clinically appropriate and with consent) and dismiss charges upon termination, while institutions must track referrals and submit de-identified annual reports to state officials. The mental hygiene law office must publish annual public data on defendant outcomes, including admission rates, discharge planning, and referral patterns. The bill directly affects defendants in such cases, courts, mental health facilities, and state agencies, without altering eligibility for services or requiring referrals where consent is absent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community referrals for mental health cases, reduces recidivism by improving rehabilitation, and aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coordination between courts/institutions for mental health discharge planning and community referrals, strengthening continuity of care for mental health patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 555: Relates to requiring a medical facility or related services to obtain express prior written consent before the making and/or broadcasting of visual images of a patient's medical treatment

Relates to requiring a medical facility or related service to obtain express prior written consent before filming and/or broadcasting of visual images of a patient's medical treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient consent for filming medical treatments, protecting patient privacy rights under healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1619: Allows a licensed pharmacist to order and administer certain tests

This bill allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer specific medical tests, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV tests, all authorized by the FDA. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients (increasing access to convenient testing). The law requires tests to meet FDA authorization and federal "waiver" requirements, aligning pharmacists with qualified health professionals under existing public health law. The bill modifies prior 2022 legislation but includes a sunset provision, with most provisions set to expire on July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist clinical role to increase patient access to FDA-authorized testing, improving healthcare access and convenience per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1468: Relates to the provision of patient health information and medical records

Relates to the provision of patient health information and medical records; expands the definition of medical records to include all health related records; prohibits fees for providing certain records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands medical records definition and bans fees for records, improving patient access to health information per healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 489: Refers individuals to appropriate service providers for substance use disorders

Refers individuals to appropriate service providers that are able to provide services to such individual within seventy-two hours for substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely referrals for substance use disorder treatment, improving patient access to healthcare services within 72 hours.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3029: Provides for the licensing of genetic counselors; creates the state board for genetic counseling

S 3029 establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors in New York and creates a State Board for Genetic Counseling. To practice as a genetic counselor or use the title "genetic counselor," individuals must obtain a license by meeting requirements including a master's degree in genetic counseling, passing an exam, and demonstrating relevant experience. The bill prohibits unlicensed practice and restricts the title to licensed professionals, while defining genetic counseling as providing education about genetic risks and testing - without diagnosing or treating medical conditions. The State Board, composed of five licensed genetic counselors, one physician, and one public representative, will oversee licensing standards and professional conduct. This directly affects genetic counselors seeking to practice in New York and ensures consistent educational and professional standards for the public.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for genetic counselors, ensuring qualified professionals provide healthcare services, strengthening service quality and patient safety in genetic counseling.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 355: Provides for program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D

Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health plans to meet or exceed Medicare Part D standards, strengthening prescription drug coverage access and patient protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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