Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1476: Requires certain health care providers to disclose their disciplinary status to current and new patients

This bill requires healthcare providers found guilty of serious misconduct - such as sexual abuse, drug abuse harming patients, or inappropriate prescribing resulting in harm - to provide written disclosure to current and new patients before treatment. The disclosure must detail their disciplinary status, penalties, practice restrictions, and resources for further information. Providers must obtain a signed copy of this disclosure before the first patient visit or treatment. Exceptions apply in emergencies or if a patient is incapacitated and their representative isn’t available. The law applies to probationary orders issued on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of provider misconduct to protect patient rights and informed consent before treatment, advancing transparency in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 5883: Establishes distinctive "Alzheimer's Awareness" license plates and provides that the funding for such be deposited in the Alzheimer's disease assistance fund

Relates to establishing distinctive "Alzheimer's Awareness" license plates; provides that the funding for such be deposited in the "Alzheimer's disease assistance fund".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs license plate revenue to Alzheimer's disease assistance fund, providing dedicated funding for healthcare-related support services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1578: Establishes the Sickle Cell Treatment Act

This bill establishes the "Sickle Cell Treatment Act" to improve care for sickle cell disease patients in New York. It designates five "centers for excellence" (with two north of Putnam/Orange counties) and ten outpatient treatment centers based on patient populations, providing each center with annual funding ($500,000 for excellence centers, $250,000 for outpatient centers) to support specialized care, research, and equipment. The bill also modifies opioid prescribing rules to exempt sickle cell disease patients from a three-month opioid limit, ensuring they can receive necessary pain management without restrictive barriers. These changes directly affect hospitals designated as centers, sickle cell patients requiring specialized care, and healthcare providers managing chronic pain.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds specialized sickle cell centers with $500k/$250k annual grants, directly expanding targeted healthcare access and research for a critical condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4955: Relates to the functions of the Medicaid inspector general with respect to audit and review of medical assistance program funds

This bill (S 4955) sets new standards for how New York's Medicaid Inspector General audits and reviews payments to healthcare providers. It requires the Inspector General to follow specific protocols when checking claims, cost reports, or payments, including providing providers access to applicable standards before audits begin. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations in audit reports, considering factors like whether errors were minor clerical mistakes (e.g., transposed codes), and limiting recoupment for isolated errors. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who receive state medical assistance payments, ensuring audits are transparent, fair, and based on clear, documented procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires detailed Medicaid audit protocols promoting fiscal accountability in government spending oversight, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareImproves Medicaid audit fairness by requiring detailed explanations and considering minor errors, protecting provider access to funds and ensuring efficient program operations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 6551: Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening

This bill (S 6551) requires health insurance plans in New York to cover image-guided breast biopsies when recommended by a physician based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as insurance companies that must now include this specific procedure in mandatory coverage. The bill amends insurance law to explicitly add "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered services alongside mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. Coverage applies only when the procedure aligns with evidence-based guidelines developed by independent medical organizations. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed insurance policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for image-guided breast biopsies per clinical guidelines, expanding diagnostic access for breast cancer screening and aligning with covered services like mammograms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 7984: Relates to exemptions from the recipient restriction program

Exempts any covered substance use disorder and mental health treatment services and all FDA approved medications for the treatment of substance use disorder, HIV, hepatitis C and mental health conditions, from all recipient restriction program coverage and payment restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts opioid treatment services (methadone/buprenorphine) from coverage restrictions, improving access to essential healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4583: Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents of children and their children

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires humane treatment standards for incarcerated birthing parents, advancing human rights within correctional facilities per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare standards for incarcerated birthing parents, requiring treatment regulations to protect health and safety in correctional facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1063: Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals

Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals, including two hours of course work or training encompassing minority healthcare issues; provides an exemption for certain individuals; requires hospitals and facilities to request documentation of the completion of training from employees and prospective employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cultural competence training for medical professionals to address minority healthcare disparities, improving care quality and access per bill's focus on minority healthcare issues.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1366: Relates to prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hotlines from being automated

Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health to promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits automation of state mental health hotlines, ensuring direct human access to critical services, aligning with mental health support indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6561: Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening

This bill amends New York's insurance law to require health insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies as part of mandatory breast cancer screening. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer detection and insurers who must provide this coverage when recommended by a physician following nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The key change adds "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered screening and diagnostic imaging procedures, alongside mammograms and ultrasounds. Coverage applies only when the procedure is recommended by a physician and aligns with evidence-based clinical guidelines. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies for screening, expanding diagnostic access under mandatory coverage per clinical guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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