Healthcare

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3610: Establishes the rural suicide prevention council

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to identify barriers and improve rural mental health services, directly supporting mental health care access and suicide prevention programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 118: Relates to the dissemination of information pertaining to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia through the NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care program

S 118 creates a searchable public database of existing dementia and Alzheimer's disease support programs for elderly individuals (60+). The office of aging, working with the health department, will develop criteria to identify successful programs and maintain the database on its website. The database will include program names, descriptions, contact details, and service areas to help elderly individuals, families, and caregivers find local resources. It requires annual updates to ensure the information remains current and accessible. This bill directly affects elderly persons with dementia/Alzheimer's and the service providers offering support in community settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates searchable database connecting elderly to existing dementia care programs, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 10443: Clarifies who may sue an insurer for violations related to misrepresentations, misleading statements and incomplete comparisons

Clarifies that residents of the state and any policyholder, contract holder, certificate holder, or beneficiary of a policy, contract, or certificate of life, accident and health insurance may sue an insurer for violations related to misrepresentations, misleading statements and incomplete comparisons.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by clarifying legal recourse against insurers for misrepresentations, strengthening consumer protection in healthcare.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8637: Relates to purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund

Expands the purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund to include prevention and recovery programs; requires reporting to be made available on the office of addiction services and supports' website.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands fund purposes to include prevention/recovery programs, directing existing budget toward public health services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, strengthening public health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 9026: Requires the testing of baby food and infant formula for toxic heavy metals and the disclosure of such test results

This bill (A 9026, "Baby Food Safety and Transparency Act") requires baby food manufacturers sold in the state to test products for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at least monthly using accredited labs. Manufacturers must publicly disclose test results via QR codes on labels showing metal levels and linking to FDA health information. Products exceeding state-established safety limits (based on federal standards) cannot be sold. The law directly affects baby food manufacturers and aims to increase transparency for parents, supplementing but not replacing federal requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTests baby food for environmental pollutants (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury), requiring disclosure to protect public health from contamination linked to environmental pollution sources.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates toxic metal testing in baby food to protect infant health, directly advancing public health safety standards under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8363: Enacts the individual counseling rate enhancement act

Requires a rate enhancement for reimbursement of individual psychotherapy services provided by a mental health counselor, a clinical social worker, or a psychologist where such services are provided in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires higher reimbursement rates for mental health counseling in substance use clinics, directly supporting access to mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 1911: Relates to notices of non-renewal provided to a health care professional by a health care plan

This bill clarifies rules for health care plans (like insurance companies and HMOs) when ending contracts with health care professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.). It requires plans to provide written reasons for termination and allow a 30-day review by a panel of three licensed peers before finalizing termination, except in cases of fraud or imminent patient harm. The bill also prohibits termination for protected actions, such as advocating for patients, filing complaints, or requesting a review. These changes apply to all health care professionals licensed in New York under current law, ensuring fairer processes for contract disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare professionals from arbitrary termination for patient advocacy, ensuring continuity of care and patient rights through mandated peer review and written justification.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects health care professionals from retaliatory termination for patient advocacy and complaint-filing, directly advancing worker rights protections in employment contexts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 247: Provides for the licensing of vision impairment specialists

This bill establishes a licensing system for two specific professions: orientation and mobility specialists (who help visually impaired people navigate safely) and vision rehabilitation therapists (who provide training for daily living skills). It defines these roles, sets education and training requirements for licenses, and creates a state board with representation from both professionals and the visually impaired community. Only licensed individuals may use these titles or provide these services, and the law explicitly states these specialists cannot prescribe optical devices. The bill directly affects visually impaired residents (including those legally blind or partially sighted) who seek these services and the professionals working in this field.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes licensing for vision rehabilitation therapists and orientation specialists, directly advancing healthcare professional standards and patient access to specialized vision care services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8541: Requires medical assistance to include medical care, services or supplies to monitor blood pressure that have been validated for accuracy and are furnished without prior authorization to eligible pregnant women

Requires medical assistance to include medical care, services or supplies to monitor blood pressure that have been validated for accuracy and are furnished without prior authorization to eligible pregnant women.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates inclusion of validated blood pressure monitoring for pregnant women in medical assistance without prior authorization, expanding coverage and improving access to prenatal care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 5665: Includes doula awareness in the department of health's education and outreach program

Bill S 5665 establishes a doula awareness and education program within the Department of Health. This program directs the department to inform the public and healthcare providers about doulas and their benefits throughout pregnancy, delivery, and birth. The Department of Health will produce and distribute educational materials, making them available to healthcare providers for patients. These materials and the department's website will include information on doulas' role in potentially reducing mortality rates for pregnant individuals, specifically highlighting increased risks for Black pregnant individuals. The department is also required to periodically review relevant data and report on the program's implementation every three years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes maternal healthcare access by educating providers/patients on doulas' benefits, aligning with improving patient access and support services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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