Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 246: Relates to resource exemptions for applicants for public assistance programs

This bill (S 246) amends New York’s Social Services Law to expand asset exemptions for people applying to or receiving public assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. It increases the cash/liquid resource exemption from $2,500 to $10,500 for most applicants, adds new exemptions for education savings ($5,165), vehicle purchase accounts ($7,500), burial plots, funeral agreements, retirement accounts, and 529 college savings plans. The bill also clarifies that home ownership, one vehicle (with rising value limits), and specific reparations payments (for Japanese-American internment victims and Nazi persecution survivors) are not counted toward eligibility. These changes directly affect low-income households by allowing them to retain more assets while qualifying for aid. The bill updates existing exemptions under the Welfare Reform Act to align with current needs and federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility by raising asset limits, increasing access to healthcare coverage for low-income residents through broader financial exemptions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5812: Prohibits approved providers of child health insurance coverage from discriminating against health care providers not participating in the insurer's network

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from discriminating against non-network providers, improving patient access to care and protecting provider choice under child health insurance programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 253: Relates to mental health services and resources for child protective services employees

This bill requires all employers in child protective services (CPS) to provide mental health support services to their employees. It specifically mandates access to resources like trauma-focused therapy, EMDR treatment, counseling, and informational support to address workplace stress and secondary trauma. The law directly affects CPS workers - such as caseworkers and supervisors - who face high-stress, emotionally demanding situations daily. The key provision is a legal obligation for employers to cover these services, aiming to improve employee well-being and retention. (4 sentences)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health services (trauma therapy, counseling) for CPS employees, directly expanding access to mental health care resources.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health services for CPS workers facing high-stress conditions, directly protecting workplace well-being and addressing secondary trauma.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 7038: Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fee schedules for rehabilitation and opioid treatment, supporting criminal justice reform through structured funding of treatment programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates fee schedules for opioid treatment rehabilitation rates, ensuring standardized reimbursement and access to critical healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 5369: Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities

Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities; establishes the nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nursing home worker recruitment/safety fund, improving staffing and safety in healthcare facilities, directly supporting healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund, directly improving workplace safety standards for healthcare workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3986: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans

Authorizes an insurer to pay a claim for reimbursement made by a provider using a credit card, virtual credit card or electronic funds transfer payment method that imposes on the provider a free or similar charge to process the payment; defines "virtual credit card" as a single-use series of numbers linked to a fixed dollar amount and provided by an insurer to a provider for the purpose of paying a claim for health care services performed by the provider; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes payment processing fees for healthcare providers when insurers use virtual credit cards, reducing administrative costs and supporting provider financial stability.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 26: Prohibits Medicaid from requiring prior authorization for certain HIV medications

Prohibits Medicaid service providers from requiring prior authorization for antiretroviral prescription drugs for the treatment or prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior authorization barriers for HIV medications, improving patient access to critical treatments under Medicaid.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 absent

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