Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 918: Relates to lead testing of children participating in the WIC program

This bill requires the state health department to mandate lead testing for all children enrolled in New York's WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children). It directs the department to set specific testing intervals and methods, applying to children participating under federal WIC guidelines. Crucially, the bill prohibits using federal WIC program funds for this requirement, instead directing that funding must come from medical assistance programs under state law. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates lead testing for WIC children under state health program, enhancing preventive care access and protecting public health through required screenings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6481: Permits certain persons to leave behind opioid antagonists at the location of a known or suspected opioid overdose

This bill allows first responders, business owners, and others to leave naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) at the scene of a known or suspected overdose instead of requiring direct handoff. It specifically permits entities like schools, hospitals, hotels, and retail stores to stock and leave naloxone for use in emergencies. The law also clarifies that using naloxone under this provision counts as first aid, protecting users from liability. This directly affects anyone who might witness an overdose and have access to naloxone, making emergency response faster and more accessible.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to naloxone for opioid overdoses, improving emergency response and patient access to life-saving treatment within public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows businesses to stock naloxone for overdose emergencies, improving workplace safety as a key Labor & Employment factor85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6645: Ties the cost of living adjustment for pharmaceutical insurance coverage to the consumer price index

Ties the cost of living adjustment for pharmaceutical insurance coverage to the consumer price index; establishes that such adjustment shall occur on an annual basis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTies pharmaceutical insurance cost adjustments to CPI, preventing coverage erosion from inflation and protecting patient access to medication coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6861: Establishes a senior citizen substance use disorder demonstration programs

Directs the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports, in consultation with the director of the state office for the aging, to develop comprehensive substance use disorder prevention, education and treatment demonstration programs for senior citizens.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates substance use disorder treatment programs for seniors, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare policy frameworks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate May 21, 2025

S 6223: Relates to permitting an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital

Requires hospitals to permit an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital until appropriate hospital staff is assigned to interpret.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to permit interpreters during patient admission, improving access for deaf/hard of hearing patients and protecting patient rights in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 7576: Enacts the "McDow Watson medical transparency in correctional facilities act"

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents and response times, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes medical oversight and access to records for incarcerated individuals, enhancing transparency and rights within correctional facilities - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access to medical records and independent oversight, protecting patient rights in correctional healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4801: Relates to the amount of state aid reimbursement for public health services by a municipality in the city of New York

Relates to the amount of state aid reimbursement for public health services by a municipality in the city of New York when the municipality is providing some or all of certain identified core public health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill specifies state aid reimbursement amounts for NYC municipalities providing core public health services, ensuring continued funding for these programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 4018: Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based implicit bias programs for perinatal care providers, protects patient rights via written information, and improves equitable healthcare access by addressing bias in maternity services.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4837: Establishes a direct support wage enhancement to employees that provide direct care support or any other form of treatment, to individuals with developmental disabilities

Establishes a direct support wage enhancement to employees that provide direct care support or any other form of treatment, to individuals with developmental disabilities and whose income is less than $125,000.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnhances wages for direct care workers treating individuals with developmental disabilities, strengthening healthcare workforce stability and access to care services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly increases wages for care workers serving individuals with developmental disabilities, enhancing compensation for low-income employees in this sector.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 3767: Prohibits the retrospective denial of payment for substance use disorder treatment services

Prohibits the retrospective denial of payment for substance use disorder treatment services if an insured was covered for such services at the time treatment was initiated; requires insurers to notify a treatment provider when an insured has lost coverage based on termination of the insured's employment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from retroactively denying payment for substance use treatment, ensuring coverage continuity and protecting patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents loss of treatment access when employment ends by requiring insurer notifications upon coverage termination due to job loss, protecting workers' healthcare benefits tied to employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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