Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 9093: Establishes a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning plus crisis hotline

Establishes a twenty-four hour, toll-free hotline and website for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning plus (LGBTQ+) individuals who are experiencing emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or crisis-related challenges, which shall provide immediate support, referrals, resource lists, and other information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental health crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ individuals, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8742: Provides for expanded non-medical in-home services, non-institutional respite services, case management services, and ancillary services without a prescription or physician's order; repealer

Provides for expanded non-medical in-home services, non-institutional respite services, case management services, and ancillary services without a prescription or physician's order; repeals certain cost sharing requirements for such services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands non-medical in-home/respite services without prescription requirement, repeals cost-sharing, improving patient access and reducing financial barriers to healthcare support services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8841: Allows individuals to register in the donate life registry through personal income tax filings

S 8841 adds mandatory electronic personal income tax filings as a new method for New Yorkers to register for the Donate Life Registry, which facilitates organ, eye, and tissue donation. It requires tax forms subject to electronic filing to include a clear, conspicuous question asking: "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This change directly affects all New York residents who file taxes electronically, making organ donation registration part of routine tax processing. The bill updates existing public health law provisions to include tax filings alongside other registration methods like driver's licenses and health insurance applications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill facilitates organ donation registration via tax filings, increasing donor registry participation and supporting public health initiatives in healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8837: Relates to optional disability coverage for county probation officers

S 8837 would allow Nassau County to optionally provide disability coverage for its county probation officers. If adopted, the county would pay full salary and cover medical costs for probation officers injured or ill due to job duties, mirroring existing coverage for police and fire personnel. The bill does not require Nassau County to implement this coverage - it remains a choice for the county. This change extends existing disability protections to a new group of county employees, without altering current requirements for other covered workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands disability coverage (including medical costs) for probation officers, mirroring police/fire protections, thus broadening health insurance access for a new public employee group.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8949: Relates to limiting audit and review of certain medical assistance program funds

Limits the reimbursement amount of certain overpayment claims and reviews where such overpayment was due to the provider's submission of records which were not in accordance with program requirements at the time but which were in accordance with current requirements as a result of changes to guidelines or regulations.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill limits state's ability to audit/recover overpayments in medical assistance, reducing fiscal accountability and increasing government spending in the program.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects providers from retroactive penalties for compliance with past regulations, reducing administrative burden on medical assistance programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 9063: Includes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders as eating disorders for the purposes of mental health

This bill expands New York's official definition of "eating disorder" in mental health law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with ARFID by ensuring they qualify for mental health services, insurance coverage, and prevention programs previously limited to other recognized eating disorders. The key mechanism amends two laws: updating the definition in the Mental Hygiene Law (Section 30.02) and requiring the state's eating disorders awareness program to cover this newly included condition. This change ensures ARFID is formally recognized in medical and mental health practice under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands mental health coverage by including ARFID in eating disorder definitions, ensuring access to services and insurance for affected individuals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9600: Includes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders as eating disorders for the purposes of mental health

This bill expands the legal definition of "eating disorder" in New York State law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It updates two key laws: Section 30.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law (which defines eating disorders) and Section 207 of the Public Health Law (which governs awareness programs). By adding ARFID to the definition, the bill ensures individuals with this condition qualify for mental health services and support programs currently available for other recognized eating disorders. The change directly affects people diagnosed with ARFID who seek mental health care, aligning state policy with current medical diagnostic standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health coverage by including ARFID in legal definition, ensuring access to services previously excluded under existing mental health laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8969: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill (S 8969) requires all health insurers in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering under medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive insurance plans. It mandates coverage upon a physician's referral for both habilitative (developing speech skills) and rehabilitative (restoring speech) therapy, provided by licensed professionals. Insurers cannot impose limits on the number of therapy visits or set maximum benefit amounts for this coverage. The bill specifically allows insurers to deny coverage if therapy is already provided through school-based plans (like IEPs or IFSPs), but requires supplemental coverage outside of schools when recommended by a doctor.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover stuttering speech therapy without visit limits, expanding essential healthcare access for patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 10030: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill requires health insurers in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering, directly affecting people with stuttering who need this treatment. Insurers must cover all costs for therapy (including both habilitative and rehabilitative treatment) when recommended by a physician, with no limits on the number of visits or duration. Coverage may be denied only if therapy is already provided through school-based education plans (like IEPs), but insurers must still cover supplemental therapy outside of school settings when a physician refers the patient. The law applies to all individual, group, and health service corporation insurance policies issued or renewed after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for speech therapy for stuttering, expanding access to necessary treatment without visit limits or duration restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 8482: Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on attachment to the labor market

Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents denial of healthcare benefits for injured workers, ensuring continued access to necessary care by prohibiting withholding benefits based on labor market attachment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits withholding benefits from injured workers not seeking alternate jobs they can perform, directly protecting workers' rights and benefits under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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