Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4269: Clarifies the definition of persons with a disability for purposes of the definition of special populations

Clarifies the definition of persons with a disability for purposes of the definition of special populations to include people with a mental health diagnosis, people on the office of mental health caseload, people with an intellectual, developmental or cognitive diagnosis, people with physical disability or mobility impairment, and people with a sensorial disability diagnosis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies disability definition to include mental health diagnoses, expanding access to special populations healthcare services under existing frameworks.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2297: Authorizes emergency medical technicians to administer certain vaccines pursuant to non-patient specific orders and under the authority of an emergency medical services director

Authorizes emergency medical technicians to administer certain vaccines pursuant to non-patient specific orders and under the authority of an emergency medical services director after receiving appropriate training; authorizes physicians and certified nurse practitioners to prescribe and order a non-patient specific order to an emergency medical technician to administer certain vaccines; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes EMTs to administer vaccines under non-patient specific orders, expanding access to vaccination services and supporting public health initiatives without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 16, 2026

A 8469: Authorizes certain patients to use medical cannabis at certain health care facilities

Bill A 8469 authorizes terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis within hospitals and nursing homes. These healthcare facilities must permit such use, but they are required to prohibit smoking or vaping as consumption methods. Patients must present a valid medical cannabis registry identification card, and facilities can reasonably regulate storage, such as requiring a locked container. Facilities must also include the use in patient medical records and develop written guidelines for its implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals/nursing homes, expanding treatment access within regulated healthcare settings while requiring facility compliance and medical record documentation.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 6217: Relates to workers' access to treatment

Allows for treatment costing less than $1,500 to be done without prior approval, and more clearly defines the list of "pre-authorized procedures" as a floor on treatment as opposed to its current status as a ceiling; allows non-network providers of testing to be compensated at the provider network rate negotiated by the carrier.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior approval barriers for low-cost treatments, clarifies coverage as minimum (not maximum), and ensures fair reimbursement for non-network providers, improving patient access to care.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7416: Enacts the "9/11 first responders and survivors' emergency healthcare access act"; appropriation

Enacts "the 9/11 first responders and survivors' emergency healthcare access act"; establishes the 9/11 first responders and survivors' emergency healthcare access fund to provide 9/11 first responders and survivors with funding for medical treatments, prescriptions, and essential care services when a federal claim is delayed, a federal benefit is under appeal and an urgent health-related need arises while awaiting federal response.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a dedicated fund (appropriation) for healthcare access for 9/11 responders, directly funding an essential public service per Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for 9/11 responders' emergency healthcare access during federal delays, directly funding medical treatments and prescriptions.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates fund for 9/11 first responders' emergency healthcare access during federal delays, directly funding critical medical services for a group typically covered under veterans' benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 23, 2026

A 1921: Provides outpatient insurance coverage for non-pharmacological treatments and non-opioid drugs for chronic pain

This bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover specific non-drug treatments and non-opioid medications for chronic pain. It mandates that policies provide at least three types of non-pharmacological treatments (including restorative like massage, behavioral like therapy, and complementary like acupuncture) plus two FDA-approved non-opioid drugs, with coverage comparable to other medical services. Insurers cannot apply stricter financial requirements (like higher copays) or treatment limits (such as prior authorization) for non-opioid options than they do for opioid treatments. The law directly affects all health insurers and policyholders who receive pain management coverage under state-regulated plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates outpatient insurance coverage for non-opioid chronic pain treatments, expanding access to alternatives and aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 7038: Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fee schedules for rehabilitation and opioid treatment, supporting criminal justice reform through structured funding of treatment programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates fee schedules for opioid treatment rehabilitation rates, ensuring standardized reimbursement and access to critical healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4261: Relates to the compensation of certain emergency medical technicians who are providing emergency medical services, and their supervisors, during outbreaks of infectious diseases

Provides for a hazardous pay differential for certain emergency medical technicians who are providing emergency medical services, and their supervisors, during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides hazardous pay differential for EMTs/supervisors during infectious disease outbreaks, directly supporting healthcare workforce compensation during public health emergencies.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4438: Establishes integrated community mental health clinics

Relates to establishing integrated community mental health clinics to provide services to address mental health issues, anger management issues, substance abuse issues and isolation issues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes integrated community mental health clinics to address mental health, substance abuse, and anger management, directly advancing mental health services within healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 16, 2026

A 84: Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits

This bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases short-term disability benefits (50%→67% wage coverage, 8→12 weeks leave) for illness/injury, expanding healthcare access and financial protection for workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases short-term disability benefits from 50% to 67% wage coverage and extends leave from 8 to 12 weeks, strengthening worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

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