Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 2339: Provides for dentist loan repayment and practice support

This bill creates a dentist loan repayment program and a practice support program to encourage dentists to work in underserved areas of New York. The loan repayment program provides up to $50,000 per year for three years (totaling $150,000) to help repay student loans for dentists who commit to practicing in underserved areas for three years. The practice support program offers up to $70,000 per year for three years (totaling $210,000) to assist dentists in establishing practices or hospitals in recruiting dentists for underserved communities. Both programs are funded at $1.2 million annually for loan repayment and $3 million annually for practice support (2025-2028), with at least 50% of funds reserved for dentists trained in teaching hospitals and 1/3 allocated to New York City.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds dentist loan repayment and practice support to increase access in underserved areas, directly strengthening healthcare access and provider availability.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3856: Requires the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority reimburse certain individuals from transit deserts

Requires the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority to reimburse certain individuals from transit deserts when they travel into the central business district who need medical treatment or are providing religious services; provides that such reimbursement shall be one hundred percent of all associated fees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses transit costs for medical treatment access, removing a barrier to healthcare services for transit desert residents.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates reimbursement for transportation fees in transit deserts, improving access for underserved communities seeking medical/religious services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 8518: Requires insurance coverage of outpatient problem gambling services

Bill A 8518 requires insurance companies to provide outpatient coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of problem gambling services. This directly affects individuals with medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive insurance coverage, as well as their insurance providers. The bill amends existing insurance law to explicitly include problem gambling services within covered substance use disorder treatments. It also mandates that financial requirements and treatment limitations for problem gambling services cannot be more restrictive than those applied to substantially all other medical and surgical benefits covered by the policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for outpatient problem gambling services, expanding health coverage for a mental health treatment under substance use disorder provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 5928: Provides for licensing of a dental therapist

Requires individuals who practice the profession of dental therapy to be licensed and registered in the state; provides Medicaid reimbursement for dental therapy services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement for dental therapy services, expanding covered health services and access under public insurance program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 3360: Permits a close friend to make an anatomical gift of a decedent's body

This bill (S 3360) expands who can legally authorize the donation of a deceased person's body for medical education or research. It adds "a close friend" (as defined in section 2994-a of the law) to the list of people permitted to make an anatomical gift, alongside existing categories like family members or guardians. The bill also clarifies that if multiple people in the same category (including close friends) are eligible, a gift requires majority agreement among reasonably available individuals to avoid conflicts. It directly affects close friends of decedents seeking to facilitate body donations for medical purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands anatomical donation eligibility for medical education/research, directly supporting healthcare workforce training and medical advancement.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 4718: Makes provisions permanent relating to disability due to disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries

This bill (A 4718) makes permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop heart or coronary artery conditions. It updates a 1977 law by removing an expiration date (previously set for June 30, 2025) that would have ended these benefits. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters whose heart-related disabilities occur after the law's effective date. The bill preserves existing benefits without creating new ones, ensuring continued support for eligible firefighters.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePreserves permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters with heart conditions, maintaining healthcare support for a specific vulnerable group without cuts or restrictions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPreserves permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters with heart conditions, directly protecting workers' benefits and rights without expiration.95% confidence

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vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 8222: Relates to reimbursement rates for certain programs established by not-for-profit and public skilled nursing facilities in upstate New York nursing home regions

Authorizes the commissioner of health to approve certain reimbursement rates for certain programs established by not-for-profit and public skilled nursing facilities in upstate New York nursing home regions that are designed to work collaboratively on efforts to improve nursing home efficiency, staffing, and quality of care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes health commissioner to approve reimbursement rates for nursing facilities to improve efficiency, staffing, and quality of care, directly advancing healthcare service quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 8948: Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder

Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDistributes educational materials on opioid addiction prevention, a public health initiative addressing a healthcare crisis in high-abuse counties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1917: Relates to the training requirements for prescribers of certain pain medications

This bill requires prescribers of certain pain medications to complete updated training focused on safe prescribing practices. The training must cover pain management, addiction prevention, overdose reduction techniques, and buprenorphine prescribing, with new requirements applying to license renewals after July 1, 2026. The Health Department must establish and publish standards for approved training courses in consultation with education and addiction services agencies. These changes aim to integrate addiction treatment knowledge into routine pain management training for prescribers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires prescribers to complete updated training on safe prescribing, addiction prevention, and overdose reduction to improve patient safety and public health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6070: Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer seizure rescue medication in schools

Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows unlicensed school staff to administer emergency seizure medication, improving immediate access to critical health services for students with epilepsy.95% confidence

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