Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 8265: Relates to ensuring continued access to backup devices for patients with cochlear implants

This bill requires health insurance to cover backup cochlear implant devices for patients during initial implantation and for all future replacements or upgrades (typically needed every 3-5 years). It directly affects patients with cochlear implants who currently lack access to backup devices after their initial device is installed. The law mandates that large group health insurance policies provide this coverage as long as the patient uses the implant, including for necessary upgrades, while allowing standard deductibles and copays. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on December 5, 2025, so it has not become law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for backup cochlear devices, expanding patient access to necessary medical equipment previously lacking coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 1988: Enacts the "age-friendly health system enhancement act"

Establishes an age-friendly health system technical assistance center to provide assistance in relation to age-friendly health systems; relates to hospital performance data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates technical assistance center for age-friendly health systems, improving hospital performance data and patient care for seniors, aligning with healthcare enhancement indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 5155: Relates to veterans health care

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention services, expanding coverage and access for veterans95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, suicide prevention, and reproductive care, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 128: Requires insurance coverage for inhalers at no cost

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler for asthma treatment at no cost to the patient. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs, directly affecting asthma patients who rely on these medications. Insurers must provide this coverage without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing, with a narrow exception only for high-deductible plans that would otherwise disqualify patients from health savings accounts. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for all new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for asthma inhalers, removing financial barriers and improving patient access to essential medications under insurance coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3416: Authorizes practitioners in institutional dispensers to dispense controlled substances as emergency treatment and authorizes practitioners to dispense controlled substances for use in detoxification treatment

Authorizes practitioners in institutional dispensers to dispense controlled substances as emergency treatment for use off the premises of the institutional dispenser; authorizes practitioners to dispense controlled substances for use in maintenance or detoxification treatment to an addict or habitual user.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes expanded access to controlled substance treatment for addiction, improving patient access to healthcare services for mental health and detoxification.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 2311: Relates to prohibiting charges for the issuance of a certificate of still birth or fetal death

This bill (A2311) prohibits local health offices from charging fees when issuing certificates for stillbirths or fetal deaths. It directly affects parents or families seeking official documentation for pregnancy losses. The law amends public health regulations to remove all fees for these specific certificates, replacing previous fee structures. The bill passed both legislative chambers in 2025 and was signed into law on November 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves financial barrier for essential health documentation, improving access to public health services related to pregnancy loss.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3236: Allows pharmacy technicians to practice in any pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist

This bill (S 3236) allows registered pharmacy technicians to work in any licensed pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It permits technicians to assist with tasks like preparing, labeling, and dispensing prescriptions or medications - provided these tasks require no professional judgment (which remains the pharmacist's responsibility). The law requires pharmacists to be physically present during these tasks, authorize all work, and approve it before any medication is dispensed. The pharmacy must also ensure technicians receive proper training before they begin assisting. The bill is now law (signed November 21, 2025).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in dispensing medications under supervision, improving pharmacy workflow and patient access to medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Nov 12, 2025

S 7807: Expands the definition of epinephrine devices to include epinephrine nasal sprays

Defines epinephrine device as a single-use device or nasal spray device used for the automatic injection or administration of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body for the purpose of emergency treatment of a person appearing to experience anaphylactic symptoms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to emergency anaphylaxis treatment by including nasal sprays in device definitions, improving patient access to life-saving care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 2581: Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services

Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services for consumers, patients, educators, and health care providers related to reproductive health services available in New York state including, but not limited to: access to family planning services such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new department for reproductive health education/outreach, expanding access to family planning, contraceptives, and STI services per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 7011: Allows individuals to register in the donate life registry through mandatory personal income tax electronic tax filings

This bill adds a new option for New York residents to register for the Donate Life Registry (which facilitates organ, eye, and tissue donations) through mandatory electronic personal income tax filings. It requires the state to include a clear checkbox on tax forms asking, "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This expands existing registration methods - which include driver's license applications, health insurance enrollment, and college financial aid forms - to include tax filings for those required to file electronically. The change applies to all taxpayers submitting income tax documents via electronic means, making organ donation registration more accessible during routine state interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands organ donation registration via tax forms, facilitating public health program (Donate Life Registry) to increase organ availability for transplants, improving patient access to life-saving healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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