Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Apr 13, 2026

S 5538: Relates to automatic eligibility for early intervention services for children found to have elevated venous blood lead levels

This bill (S 5538) automatically qualifies children with elevated blood lead levels (5 mcg/dl or higher in venous blood tests) for early intervention services under New York's public health law. It amends the definition of "disability" to include such lead exposure, ensuring these children receive support without additional screening or evaluation. The key mechanism adds lead levels to the list of conditions that trigger automatic eligibility for services like therapy or developmental support. This change directly affects young children diagnosed with lead exposure, streamlining access to critical early care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically qualifies children with lead exposure for early intervention services, expanding access to public health programs without additional screening or evaluation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 5047: Provides for offering reward or incentive programs

S 5047 allows health insurers and certain corporations to offer reward programs for wellness, preventative care, and health management initiatives to policyholders. The bill permits incentives like discounts or cash rewards, but caps total annual value at $600 per insured member. It also permits insurers to adjust premiums to reflect commission costs within ranges filed with regulators, without violating existing anti-inducement rules. This applies specifically to accident and health insurance policies, not life insurance, and excludes certain community-rated policies. The law aims to support health-focused programs while maintaining clear financial limits for insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables wellness/reward programs for preventative care, promoting healthier behaviors and aligning with healthcare access goals without restricting coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 2648: Relates to insurance coverage for dental night guards

Provides that dental insurance coverage shall include coverage for night guards; defines dental night guards; provides that dental night guards shall be covered under Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dental insurance coverage for night guards, including Medicaid, expanding health coverage under insurance policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 707: Relates to certain data required in an annual report on the administration of managed long term care plans

This bill (S 707) requires managed long term care plans in New York to include specific data in annual reports to the state Department of Health, replacing previous biannual reporting. It mandates detailed metrics on service utilization (like hours of personal care), expenditures (broken down by service type), complaint resolution rates, timely access to care, and rebalancing efforts shifting care from nursing homes to home-based settings. These reports must be published annually on the Department’s website in an interactive format for public comparison, covering statewide and regional data. The changes directly affect managed care plans (which provide long-term care services), the Department of Health (which collects and publishes the data), and enrollees (whose care quality and access are measured).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates detailed data reporting on service utilization, rebalancing to home-based care, and access metrics to improve long-term care oversight and patient access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 438: Establishes the prescription drug supply chain transparency act

Establishes the prescription drug supply chain transparency act; requires pharmacy services administrative organizations, pharmacy switch companies and rebate aggregators to register with the insurance department and to provide certain disclosures relating to the ownership and activities of such entities; relates to deposits into the pharmacy benefit manager regulatory fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pharmacy entities to disclose ownership/activities, enhancing supply chain transparency to protect patient access and safety in drug coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 3689: Prohibits the eviction of tenants for using medical marihuana for a certified medical use

Bill S 3689 amends the real property actions and proceedings law to protect tenants using medical marihuana. It prohibits landlords from evicting a tenant from a residential unit solely because of their certified medical use of medical marihuana. The bill establishes this as a defense for tenants in eviction proceedings. However, it also clarifies that landlords retain their legal rights to recover possession for any other lawful grounds not related to medical marihuana use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects tenants using medical marijuana for certified medical use from eviction, safeguarding patient access to healthcare treatment and aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects tenant rights by prohibiting eviction for certified medical marijuana use, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 7731: Requires coverage of a hospitalized birthing parent's interhospital transport to accompany their infant needing such transport

Requires insurance coverage of a hospitalized birthing parent's interhospital transport to accompany such birthing parent's newborn infant experiencing a condition necessitating transport.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for birthing parent's transport with infant, expanding access to necessary care and protecting patient rights during medical transport.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track