Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 3323: Enacts the "Eli Parker Levitt Law"

This bill requires health insurance policies in New York to cover medically necessary transvaginal ultrasounds during pregnancy when recommended by evidence-based clinical guidelines from independent medical organizations. It amends three sections of the state insurance law to mandate this coverage for pregnancy-related care, applying to all new or renewed policies starting January 1, 2027. The law directly affects insurance companies (by requiring coverage) and pregnant individuals (by ensuring access to this specific diagnostic service when clinically indicated). Coverage is limited to cases where such ultrasounds are deemed medically necessary per nationally recognized, transparent clinical guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary transvaginal ultrasounds during pregnancy, expanding access to essential prenatal care and aligning with evidence-based clinical guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 4963: Requires the superintendent of financial services to promulgate regulations which provide standardized definitions for commonly used terms and phrases in certain insurance policies

Requires the superintendent to promulgate regulations which provide standardized definitions for commonly used terms and phrases in certain insurance policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardized insurance definitions improve clarity and consumer understanding of coverage terms, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare insurance policies.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 1001: Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies

Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies covering care for other mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health insurance coverage by mandating inclusion of creative arts therapy services in policies covering other mental health care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 6244: Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act"

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes confidential peer support for law enforcement officers, enhancing mental health resources and accountability - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates law enforcement peer support program with confidentiality for mental health counseling, directly advancing mental health services as a healthcare component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 3654: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering when recommended by a physician. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive insurance policies, mandating full coverage for both habilitative (learning new skills) and rehabilitative (regaining skills) speech therapy provided by licensed professionals. Insurers cannot limit coverage by visit count or duration for this service. The bill excludes coverage if therapy is already provided through school-based plans (like IEPs), but allows supplemental coverage outside schools with a physician referral.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for speech therapy, expanding access to necessary healthcare services for stuttering patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 7451: Prevents a judge from prohibiting a parent from undergoing a gender reassignment when making a determination in a child custody case

This bill (S 7451) prohibits judges from banning parents from undergoing gender-affirming care during child custody decisions. It directly affects parents involved in custody cases by requiring courts to disregard a parent's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression when determining a child's best interests. The law adds a specific provision to domestic relations law stating courts "shall not prohibit a party from undergoing gender reassignment" and must not consider gender identity factors. If passed, it would prevent courts from restricting a parent's access to medical care related to their gender identity as part of custody rulings. The bill is currently in the Assembly Judiciary committee after passing the Senate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents courts from restricting gender-affirming healthcare access in custody cases, protecting patient rights for gender-affirming care as a healthcare service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2025

S 2000: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for lung cancer follow-up screening without cost sharing, expanding access and removing financial barriers for patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly May 23, 2025

A 5572: Relates to organ donation registration through a patient-facing portal

Provides that organ donation registrations through an electronic health record product do not retain or store patients' donor status information and meet standards established by the commissioner; amends the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy by preventing storage of organ donation status in EHR portals, aligning with patient rights in healthcare access and data security.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2025

S 1814: Replaces the words addict and addicts with the words persons with substance use disorder or a variation thereof

This bill updates various state laws by replacing the terms "addict" and "addicts" with "person with substance use disorder" or similar variations. It amends sections of the judiciary law, mental hygiene law, and public health law to reflect this change. This affects legal proceedings, medical treatment, and official definitions related to individuals experiencing substance use challenges. The primary aim is to standardize person-first language across relevant statutes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates terminology to person-first language in mental health/public health laws, reducing stigma and supporting patient-centered care in substance use treatment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2025

S 698: Relates to financial loss as a result of a failed in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination

Provides for a credit insurance policy for the indemnification of an intended parent for expenses disbursed when either the intended parent or a person acting as surrogate receives in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination treatment that fails and does not result in the birth of a child.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides financial protection for patients facing failed fertility treatments, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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