Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 443: Relates to step therapy protocol

This bill modifies New York's insurance law to regulate "step therapy" protocols used by health insurers. It directly affects patients and insurers by limiting how insurers can require patients to try lower-cost drugs before covering a prescribed medication. Key provisions include capping required drug trials at two per condition, banning protocols for unapproved or unsupported drugs, requiring insurer acceptance of doctors' written proof of drug failure as valid evidence, and preventing redundant step therapy for patients who recently completed it under another plan. The changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits insurer barriers to medication access, requiring acceptance of physician proof of prior failure, protecting patient rights in coverage decisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 1025: Requires the commissioner of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports to publish certain guidance on maternal depression screenings

Requires the commissioner of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports and relevant stakeholders as determined by such commissioner in addition to the office of mental health to publish guidance for incorporating maternal depression screenings into routine prenatal care; changes the effective date to eighteen months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates guidance for maternal depression screenings in prenatal care, expanding mental health services access within healthcare protocols.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 1026: Relates to access to doulas; repealer

Requires the department of health to require all maternal healthcare facilities to include and/or post on the maternal healthcare facility's webpage, lobby, and patient waiting areas information stating a birthing parent is allowed to have a doula present in the maternal health care facility for delivery and/or inpatient care post-delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare facilities to provide clear information enabling birthing parents to access doula support during delivery and postpartum care, improving patient access to maternal health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 1017: Relates to education and outreach for drug-induced movement disorders by the department of health

Provides for education and outreach for drug-induced movement disorders by the department of health through the health care and wellness education and outreach program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health department education/outreach program for drug-induced movement disorders, advancing public health initiatives through targeted patient education and awareness.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 920: Adds medical and health insurance information within the definitions of personal identifying information; repealer

This bill amends New York's penal law and related statutes to explicitly include "medical information" and "health insurance information" in the legal definition of "personal identifying information." It defines medical information as details about an individual's medical history or treatment, and health insurance information as policy numbers, subscriber IDs, or claims history. These changes mean that identity theft involving such sensitive health data will now be covered under existing identity theft laws, which previously did not explicitly include these categories. The bill also removes outdated definitions from related laws to streamline the updated framework.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands legal protection for sensitive health data under identity theft laws, directly strengthening patient privacy rights in healthcare context.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands definition of personal identifying information to include medical/health data, strengthening privacy protections under penal law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 2250: Relates to breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing for incarcerated individuals in accordance with certain nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines

Provides incarcerated individuals with access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing in accordance with certain nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides healthcare access for incarcerated individuals, aligning with correctional reform and civil rights protections in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands healthcare access by mandating breast cancer screening/testing for incarcerated individuals per clinical guidelines, directly improving patient access to preventive care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 1019: Relates to doula access during emergency situations

Provides that maternal health care facilities are not required to grant doula access during emergencies or when such access could compromise the safety of the patient or health care team.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts mandatory doula access during emergencies, limiting patient choice in maternal care90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 1016: Relates to recommendations of the traumatic brain injury services coordinating council

This bill establishes a council to make annual recommendations to health departments about services for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The council must consider service availability, emerging trends, differences in Medicaid waiver outcomes, and administrative efficiency when developing its recommendations. These recommendations must be posted annually on the department's website to increase transparency around TBI service planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to improve TBI service recommendations, enhancing transparency and coordination within healthcare delivery systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 14, 2025

S 742: Relates to coverage for prenatal vitamins

This bill requires most health insurance plans to cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by licensed healthcare providers (such as doctors or nurse practitioners). It applies to all medical, major medical, and similar comprehensive insurance policies sold in the state, including those covering prescription drugs. Coverage may still include standard deductibles and coinsurance, consistent with other benefits in the policy. The law aims to ensure access to prenatal vitamins without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond typical plan requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins, expanding access to preventive care without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond standard deductibles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 914: Relates to maternal health care and birthing best practices; repealer

Requires the department of health to evaluate and make recommendations related to maternal health care and birthing best practices; repeals certain provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health department evaluation and recommendations for maternal health care best practices, aiming to improve standards and repeal outdated provisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare