Healthcare

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5939: Relates to payments by a pharmacy benefit manager to participating pharmacies

Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a participating pharmacy at minimum at the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) rate, or at the pharmacy acquisition cost rate if greater or there is not a NADAC rate, plus a professional dispensing fee that is at minimum the professional dispensing fee paid under the state medical assistance program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to pay pharmacies fair rates (NADAC or higher), preventing underpayment that could restrict medication access and protect pharmacy viability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 731: Waives a registration fee for basic life support first response agencies

This bill waives the $200 biennial registration fee for basic life support first response agencies, including volunteer ambulance services that provide emergency medical care without patient transport. It directly affects these agencies by removing a cost requirement for maintaining their registration under New York's public health law. The key provision amends existing law to exempt these specific agencies from paying the fee when applying for or renewing their registration certificate. The change applies immediately upon enactment and simplifies administrative costs for these community-based emergency response providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareWaives $200 fee for emergency medical agencies, reducing operational costs to maintain services and improve access to emergency care under public health law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3213: Provides that where the commissioner of health assumes the responsibility for the transportation of medicaid recipients in rural areas, existing public transportation systems shall be used

Provides that where the commissioner of health assumes the responsibility for the transportation of medicaid recipients in rural areas, existing public transportation systems shall be used when such systems are appropriate, available and the least expensive modes of transportation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates using existing public transit for Medicaid transportation in rural areas, improving access to healthcare services without increasing costs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates use of existing public transit systems for Medicaid transport in rural areas, supporting public transportation infrastructure utilization over alternative options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5176: Requires the New York state cancer services program to provide various cancer screenings and diagnostic services at no cost; appropriation

Requires the New York state cancer services program to provide various cancer screenings and diagnostic services at no cost to certain persons and to provide informational pamphlets on such cancers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to cover cancer screening costs, directly increasing public health program funding per its title and summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free cancer screenings/diagnostics for eligible persons, expanding access and reducing patient costs - directly supports healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 8734: 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 services in substance use clinics, directly expanding access to mental healthcare providers and strengthening coverage for patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2305: Relates to dental, medical and podiatric malpractice actions and to establishing a limitation on noneconomic damages in personal injury actions

Requires a certificate of merit in actions for damages, contribution or indemnity arising out of alleged negligence of a professional licensed pursuant to the education law; establishes a party in an action for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice may not omit the name of certain experts in responding to a request; limits judgments for past and future damages in an action to recover damages for dental, medical or podiatric malpractice; limits compensation for noneconomic damages suffered by an injured plaintiff in any personal injury action to $250,000.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits noneconomic damages in medical malpractice suits, reducing patient compensation caps and restricting patient recovery options.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7572: Relates to insurance coverage of certain procedures to detect breast cancer

Requires insurance coverage of sonograms and other diagnostic procedures used to detect breast cancer for covered persons with a prior history of breast cancer or who have a first degree relative with a prior history of breast cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for breast cancer diagnostic procedures, expanding access to preventive care for at-risk individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 817: Requires mental health evaluations for participants in substance use disorder treatment programs

Requires the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports to require mental health evaluations for participants in substance use disorder treatment programs and to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate such requirement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health evaluations for substance use disorder treatment participants, strengthening integrated mental health services within healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

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

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Substance Abuse

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 949: Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system

Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system; permits one in-person visit within twelve months unless such in-person visit causes undue hardship on a patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits telemedicine for mental health under workers' comp, expanding access to mental healthcare services without restricting options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

Track