Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 6217: Relates to workers' access to treatment

Allows for treatment costing less than $1,500 to be done without prior approval, and more clearly defines the list of "pre-authorized procedures" as a floor on treatment as opposed to its current status as a ceiling; allows non-network providers of testing to be compensated at the provider network rate negotiated by the carrier.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior approval barriers for low-cost treatments, clarifies coverage as minimum (not maximum), and ensures fair reimbursement for non-network providers, improving patient access to care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 7025: Relates to registered pharmacy technicians

Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands immunization access by authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under supervision, improving public health service delivery and patient access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 6232: Authorizes a prenatal and postpartum informational mobile application

This bill requires New York's health department to create and operate a free mobile application for individuals eligible for Medicaid who are pregnant, postpartum, or planning pregnancy. The app must provide New York-specific resources, links to state programs, and support in multiple languages, with strict privacy protections prohibiting personal data sharing. Developers must report anonymized usage data (like user numbers and engagement) to state lawmakers. The app will be available across mobile platforms and must comply with state health resource standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates free mobile app with prenatal/postpartum resources for Medicaid-eligible individuals, improving healthcare access and protecting patient privacy per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict privacy protections prohibiting personal data sharing, aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 6266: Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers

Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers that is distributed based on managed care providers' performance in meeting quality objectives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates quality incentives for managed care providers to meet performance goals, improving healthcare service quality and aligning with patient care standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8756: Amends the effectiveness of provisions related to permitting a close friend to make an anatomical gift of a decedent's body

This bill (S 8756) modifies the implementation timeline for a law allowing close friends to arrange body donations for medical purposes after a person's death. It changes the effective date so that the health commissioner can immediately begin implementing the law - rather than waiting 180 days - upon the bill's passage. This adjustment primarily affects individuals who wish to donate a deceased person's body for medical education or research, ensuring faster administrative readiness. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on implementation timing, not the eligibility for body donations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves 180-day delay for body donations to medical education/research, supporting medical training infrastructure and research access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9510: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans and the effectiveness of provisions of law relating thereto

This bill requires insurers and health care plans to follow specific rules when using virtual credit cards or fee-based digital payment methods to reimburse healthcare providers. Insurers must first notify providers of any potential fees, offer a fee-free payment alternative, and get the provider's written consent within 30 days to use the fee-based method. If a provider doesn't respond in time, insurers must default to the fee-free option. The law applies directly to insurers and healthcare providers who contract with them, ensuring transparency and preventing unexpected charges for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from imposing fees on providers without consent, ensuring fee-free payment options and protecting provider financial stability within healthcare reimbursement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8758: Replaces the term addict with the term person with substance use disorder

This bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates terminology to reduce stigma, aligning with patient rights and mental health best practices in healthcare documentation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8769: Provides confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

This bill establishes legal confidentiality for conversations between police officers and peer support specialists during official counseling sessions. It directly affects law enforcement officers seeking mental health support and the peer support specialists who provide it. Key provisions prohibit disclosing session details unless there's a specific threat of suicide, self-harm, violence, or child abuse - allowing limited disclosure only to prevent harm. Officers must receive written notice before sessions explaining these confidentiality rules and exceptions. The law ensures peer support communications remain private except in clearly defined safety emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes confidentiality for police peer support counseling, promoting officer mental health and accountability - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health counseling confidentiality for police officers, removing barriers to access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConfidentiality protects law enforcement officers' access to mental health support, enhancing workplace safety and workers' rights in high-stress roles without restricting protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9491: Relates to cases terminated due to mental disease or defect and to establishing reporting obligations regarding such cases

This bill (A 9491) requires courts and mental health institutions to coordinate discharge planning for defendants in criminal cases terminated due to mental disease or defect. It mandates that courts order referrals to community services (when clinically appropriate and with consent) and dismiss charges upon termination, while institutions must track referrals and submit de-identified annual reports to state officials. The mental hygiene law office must publish annual public data on defendant outcomes, including admission rates, discharge planning, and referral patterns. The bill directly affects defendants in such cases, courts, mental health facilities, and state agencies, without altering eligibility for services or requiring referrals where consent is absent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community referrals for mental health cases, reduces recidivism by improving rehabilitation, and aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coordination between courts/institutions for mental health discharge planning and community referrals, strengthening continuity of care for mental health patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 555: Relates to requiring a medical facility or related services to obtain express prior written consent before the making and/or broadcasting of visual images of a patient's medical treatment

Relates to requiring a medical facility or related service to obtain express prior written consent before filming and/or broadcasting of visual images of a patient's medical treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient consent for filming medical treatments, protecting patient privacy rights under healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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