Healthcare (Hospitals)

passed · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 6494: Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as required coverage for maternity care

This bill requires all health insurance policies in New York to cover doula services as part of mandated maternity care. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders by adding doulas (non-medical birth support professionals) to the list of covered services alongside hospital stays and midwife care. The key provision amends insurance law to mandate that maternity coverage includes doula services for at least 48 hours post-birth (or 96 hours for C-sections), without duplicating physician or midwife services already provided. This applies to all new, renewed, or modified policies issued 180 days after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for doula services in maternity care, expanding patient access to non-medical birth support without cost-sharing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7310: Requires certain health insurance policies to provide coverage for diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer

Provides that every health insurance policy which provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care shall provide coverage for the standard diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer upon the recommendation of a physician; provides that such standard diagnostic testing shall include a pelvic examination, a sonogram and a CA 125 blood test and related laboratory and diagnostic services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for ovarian cancer diagnostics, expanding patient access to preventive care and standard testing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4083: Establishes mandatory minimum medicaid coverage for hospital confinement for childbirth

Requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by caesarean section; provides similar coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates extended hospital coverage for childbirth, expanding maternity care access under Medicaid and insurance policies90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Women's Health

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6282: Relates to certain requirements for waivers issued under the hospital-home care-physician collaboration program

Provides that health regulations may not be waived under the hospital-home care-physician collaboration program without publication and opportunity for public comment; prohibits waiver of an applicant's obligation to meet public need, character and competence, or financial feasibility requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public comment for waivers and prohibits bypassing public need/financial requirements, ensuring program integrity and patient safety standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3430: Provides for payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals

This bill increases payments to rural critical access hospitals (CAHs) by setting their reimbursement rates at 101% of reasonable costs for covered services like emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient treatments. Starting April 1, 2027, these hospitals will receive payments calculated using the same method as Medicare uses for outpatient CAH services under federal law. The rate applies to services provided to patients eligible for state-funded payments under the public health law. Implementation depends on annual state funding appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases payments to rural critical access hospitals, ensuring stable funding for emergency/inpatient care services under public health law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6662: Relates to assaults on medical providers and employees and volunteers of hospitals

This bill (S 6662) expands legal protections by making assaults against specific healthcare personnel a more serious offense under New York's penal law. It directly affects medical providers (like doctors and nurses), hospital employees, and volunteers - such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nursing assistants, ambulance personnel, and hospital volunteers - as defined in public health law. The key change adds these individuals to the list of protected persons, making it a crime to assault them with intent to prevent them from performing their duties. The law also specifies that causing physical injury to these protected individuals during their work constitutes a punishable offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill elevates assaults on healthcare workers to a more serious offense under penal law, strengthening legal protections for medical personnel in criminal justice context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands legal protections for healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, volunteers) by classifying assaults against them as more serious offenses, directly strengthening healthcare delivery infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1708: Provides for payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals

This bill increases payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals (CAHs) under New York's public health law. It sets payment rates for services like emergency care, inpatient stays, and outpatient treatments at 101% of the hospitals' reasonable costs, aligning with federal payment standards for similar facilities. The change applies to CAHs providing services to patients covered by the federal health program referenced in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Implementation depends on state budget appropriations, with the policy taking effect on April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for rural hospitals by setting payments at 101% of costs, directly advancing public health budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases payments to rural CAHs to 101% of costs, ensuring funding stability and improved access to critical healthcare services in rural areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1000: Relates to involuntary emergency admission of persons alleged to be mentally ill

Enacts "Jesse's law" to provide that a person subject to involuntary emergency admission for immediate observation, care, and treatment of mental illness shall have the right to select the hospital they are admitted to.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill grants mental health patients right to choose hospital for emergency admission, protecting patient rights and improving access to care in mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 17, 2025

S 7479: Relates to medical debt

Prohibits money judgments arising from non-payment of facility items and services by a patient or patient guarantor that is brought by a facility; prohibits the enforcement of arbitration agreements or clauses with respect to non-payment of facility items and services by a patient or patient guarantor; relates to the collection of medical debt; requires transparency in hospital pricing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits medical debt lawsuits and mandates transparent pricing, protecting patients from financial barriers to care and improving access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7913: Relates to improper practices relating to staff membership or professional privileges of a physician and such physician's board certification

This bill prohibits hospitals and health insurance plans from unfairly denying medical staff privileges or network participation to healthcare providers. Specifically, it bans hospitals from refusing applications or denying privileges without valid reasons tied to patient care, and bars denying privileges based solely on a provider's licensure category or lack of current board certification (if they were previously board-certified). It also requires health plans and insurers to disclose application procedures, complete reviews within 60 days (with a 21-day extension for missing documents), and not reject previously board-certified physicians solely due to loss of certification. The law directly affects physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and midwives seeking hospital staff roles or health plan network inclusion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits unfair denial of medical staff privileges/network access, protecting provider rights and improving patient access to care by banning arbitrary denials based on licensure or board certification status.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Medical Licensing

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