Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 4964: Relates to medical malpractice excess line insurance

This bill amends New York's insurance law to change requirements for medical malpractice insurance. It removes the need for insurers to obtain a declination from insurance associations before placing coverage for hospitals, physicians, or dentists. The key provision states that if insurance is available through an association or plan, insurers no longer must get a declination for these specific medical malpractice policies. This directly affects healthcare providers (hospitals, doctors, dentists) purchasing malpractice insurance by simplifying the placement process. The change applies to all medical malpractice coverage, not just specific types, streamlining how insurers secure this essential coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves declination requirement for medical malpractice insurance, easing provider access to coverage and supporting healthcare system stability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 7048: Relates to review of projects affecting the availability of maternity services

Requires the commissioner of health to promulgate regulations requiring that the addition of, decertification of, or changes in the method of delivery of perinatal services by a general hospital be subject to an application under article 28 of the public health law that requires review and approval by the council.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires regulatory review for hospital changes to maternity services, ensuring continued access to perinatal care and preventing service disruptions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 4956: Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services

Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDesignates jail-based substance use treatment as essential medical care, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates jail-based substance use disorder treatment as essential medical care, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 3820: Requires health insurance policies include coverage for anesthesia for the duration of a medical procedure

Requires health insurance policies include coverage for anesthesia for the entire duration of a procedure for which a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for such anesthesia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for anesthesia duration, expanding patient access to essential medical services without restrictions95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 903: Relates to informal caregiver training

This bill (S 903) creates state-funded training programs for family members and other unpaid caregivers supporting people needing daily assistance due to disability or age. It expands the definition of "informal caregiver" to include non-household members (like older adults caring for minor relatives) and defines "person in need of assistance" broadly to cover those requiring help with daily tasks, including minors with disabilities. Key provisions require the state director to develop culturally sensitive training covering health knowledge, practical care skills, stress management, and resource access, delivered through caregiver resource centers and local networks. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature tracking program participation and effectiveness in improving care quality.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates state-funded caregiver training for people needing daily health assistance, expanding definitions to include vulnerable populations and improving care quality - directly advancing healthcare support systems.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 4589: Relates to federal qualified health center rate adequacy

Bill S 4589 modifies how Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are reimbursed for their operating costs. Beginning in April 2025, and every three years thereafter, the department will analyze actual FQHC costs over the prior five years, considering factors like services provided, staffing, and technology. Based on this analysis, the department will develop and issue updated payment rates, removing existing payment ceilings or caps. The bill ensures that no FQHC will receive a lower operating cost component or overall payment rate than what was applied before September 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves payment caps for FQHCs, ensuring adequate reimbursement and preventing funding cuts to essential healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves payment caps and adjusts rates to actual FQHC costs, ensuring adequate funding for community health centers providing essential care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 999: Relates to reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment

Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires reimbursement for pediatric screenings/treatment, ensuring coverage for eligible children regardless of conditions, expanding access to early healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 2625: Relates to enhancing patient access to medication assisted treatment for treatment of opioid disease

Allows a licensed pharmacist to prescribe and order FDA-approved medication assisted therapy under a non-patient-specific regimen for the treatment of opioid use disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands patient access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing pharmacists to prescribe, directly improving healthcare access for substance use disorders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 6334: Expands the description of certain services which are not prohibited by statutes governing the practice of nursing

Expands the description of certain services which are not prohibited by statutes governing the practice of nursing, including direct support staff to nurses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nursing practice scope to include direct support staff, enhancing service delivery and patient access within healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 5779: Requires certain entities to stock opioid antagonists and to store naloxone nasal sprays with or adjacent to automated external defibrillator cabinets

Requires certain entities to stock opioid antagonists and to store naloxone nasal sprays with or adjacent to automated external defibrillator cabinets.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone availability near AEDs to reverse opioid overdoses, improving emergency public health response and patient access to life-saving treatment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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