Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1438: Enacts the New York state abortion clinical training program act

Establishes the New York state abortion clinical training program within the department of health for the purpose of training health care practitioners in the performance of abortion and related reproductive health care services; requires the commissioner of health to submit a report to the governor and the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes abortion clinical training program to expand reproductive healthcare access by training providers, directly advancing patient access to reproductive health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4801: Relates to the amount of state aid reimbursement for public health services by a municipality in the city of New York

Relates to the amount of state aid reimbursement for public health services by a municipality in the city of New York when the municipality is providing some or all of certain identified core public health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill specifies state aid reimbursement amounts for NYC municipalities providing core public health services, ensuring continued funding for these programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1773: Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings

Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings; authorizes the comptroller to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state contractors provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, expanding coverage and improving access to preventive care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires contractors to provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, enhancing worker benefits and employment standards as a condition for state contracts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4167: Relates to medicaid eligibility for youth leaving court ordered placement

This bill (S 4167) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to youth exiting foster care in New York State. Specifically, it makes youth placed under certain Family Court Act sections (353.3 or 353.5) presumptively eligible for Medicaid starting the day they are released from court-ordered placement. This automatic eligibility lasts for up to 60 days or until a formal Medicaid determination is made, whichever comes first. During this period, medical care provided by eligible providers counts as Medicaid-covered services. The bill aims to ensure continuous health coverage for vulnerable youth transitioning out of foster care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides automatic Medicaid for youth exiting court-ordered placement, supporting reentry and reducing recidivism risk. This aligns with criminal justice reform goals of improving rehabilitation outcomes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically grants Medicaid eligibility to foster youth upon release, expanding health coverage access without barriers for a vulnerable population.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1223: Expands the scope of the temporary operator program

Expands the scope of the temporary operator program permitting the commissioner of health to appoint an operator if a facility experiences serious financial instability or conditions that seriously endanger the life, health or safety of residents or patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands temporary operator program to prevent facility closures endangering health/safety, ensuring continuity of care during crises.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4854: Prohibits the packaging, sale and distribution of confectionery and candy designed to resemble a tobacco product

This bill (S 4854) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of candy or confectionery products designed to look like tobacco products, such as chocolate cigarettes or gum cigars. It specifically bans packaging, branding, or marketing that mimics tobacco products (e.g., cigarette-shaped candy or tobacco-like labels). The law applies to all candy types, including gum, chocolate bars, and mints, and imposes civil fines of $100-$500 for violations. It directly affects candy manufacturers, sellers, and distributors who create or market products resembling tobacco items.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans candy resembling tobacco products to prevent youth tobacco initiation, a direct public health measure targeting smoking prevention and reducing health risks.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3363: Relates to the authority of a hospice medical director to sign a death certificate

S 3363 allows hospice medical directors or physicians they designate to sign death certificates, expanding authority beyond the last attending physician. This directly affects hospice care providers and their medical staff by streamlining end-of-life documentation processes. The bill amends Public Health Law Section 4141 to explicitly include these authorized signers in the certification requirements. It makes a specific procedural change to existing law without altering broader healthcare policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines hospice end-of-life documentation by expanding authority to medical directors, improving care coordination without restrictions or funding changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5326: Provides for standardized health insurance contracts for small dental employers

This bill establishes a program offering standardized health insurance contracts to qualifying small dental employers and small employers meeting specific criteria. It defines "qualifying small dental employers" as those with up to 50 employees, including at least one dentist providing 10+ monthly Medicaid-covered visits and two licensed dental hygienists. Employers must certify annually they meet requirements (e.g., ≤50 employees, no prior group coverage, 30% of employees earning ≤$30,000 adjusted annually) and insurers must provide uniform benefit packages without changes. The program aims to make affordable coverage available year-round, with preference for employers serving lower-wage workers or higher Medicaid patient volumes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates standardized dental insurance contracts for small employers meeting Medicaid-linked criteria, expanding access to health coverage for employees and supporting dental services under public health framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes standardized health insurance for small dental employers targeting lower-wage workers (30% earning ≤$30k), expanding employee benefits through accessible coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

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

Track

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

Track