Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 896: Relates to enacting the Justice for Nursing Home Victims Act

Relates to enacting the Justice for Nursing Home Victims act; creates a nursing home resident COVID-19 compensation program to provide full compensation to any nursing home resident or their statutory beneficiary when COVID-19 caused or contributed to such resident's death; provides the responsibilities of a nursing home during a pandemic; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates compensation program for nursing home residents' COVID-19 deaths, protecting patient rights and ensuring accountability in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · New York · Assembly May 1, 2025

A 8115: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through May 7, 2025

This bill provides temporary funding for New York State government operations for an extended period, from April 1, 2025, through May 7, 2025. It authorizes payments for the salaries of state employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and covers general operating expenses for state departments and agencies. The bill also allocates funds for specific Department of Health programs, including community health, Indian health, and child health insurance. This temporary measure ensures the state government can continue to function and make essential payments until the full annual budget bills for the 2025 fiscal year are enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides emergency funding for state operations, salaries, and essential health programs, directly advancing budgetary support for public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates funds to Department of Health programs including community health, Indian health, and child health insurance, directly advancing healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 7705: Relates to Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing

This bill sets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing services provided to eligible patients in New York. It requires payments to be at least 80% of the standard CHAMPUS/TRICARE rate for the New York area, effective July 1, 2026. The Department of Health must publish a detailed private duty nursing rate schedule at least 30 days before the effective date and annually thereafter. This directly affects Medicaid-enrolled patients receiving private duty nursing care and the home care providers who deliver these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 80% of TRICARE rates for Medicaid nursing reimbursement, increasing provider payments to improve access for patients. Directly advances healthcare funding and access for Medicaid-enrolled individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9175: Requires each institution within the state university of New York and the city university of New York to have at least one vending machine making emergency contraception available for purchase

Requires each institution within the state university of New York and the city university of New York offering in-person student instruction to have at least one vending machine making emergency contraception available for purchase.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates campus access to emergency contraception, expanding reproductive healthcare access and improving patient availability of a health service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4299: Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by duly licensed or certified acupuncturists under the workers' compensation program

This bill (S 4299) allows injured workers covered by New York's workers' compensation program to receive acupuncture treatment from licensed or certified acupuncturists. It directly affects injured employees seeking treatment, acupuncturists who must meet specific education law requirements, and employers who must cover these services. Key provisions include requiring acupuncturists to submit treatment records to the state, establishing a fee schedule based on practitioner type (licensed vs. certified), and mandating that acupuncturists bill employers directly - not injured workers - within 48 hours of the first treatment. The bill also sets rules for dispute resolution over treatment fees and requires employers to allow impartial examinations of billing disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' comp coverage to include licensed acupuncture, improving access to alternative healthcare services for injured workers under existing insurance framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed acupuncture treatment, directly enhancing medical care access for injured employees under workplace safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4715: Establishes the nurse loan repayment program

Establishes the nurse loan repayment program; authorizes the commissioner to award loan repayment awards to nurses serving in underserved areas or nursing homes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nurse loan repayment for underserved areas/nursing homes, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and access to services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3490: Imposes an excise tax on sugary drinks

This bill imposes a per-ounce tax on sugary drinks based on their sugar content: no tax for drinks with ≤7.5g sugar per 12oz, 1¢ per ounce for 7.5-30g sugar, and 2¢ per ounce for ≥30g sugar. It applies to distributors (manufacturers, wholesalers) and retailers selling these drinks, but exempts medical beverages, milk, natural fruit/vegetable juices, and water. Revenue from the tax funds a new community health equity fund. The tax rate adjusts annually for inflation, and retailers must collect it at checkout if distributors haven’t already paid it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes new excise tax on sugary drinks, with revenue funding a community health equity fund, directly advancing fiscal management through new tax revenue allocation for public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax revenue funds a community health equity fund, directly advancing public health initiatives per healthcare funding indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3963: Relates to recovery community centers

This bill establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery community centers that support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. It requires the state commissioner to create evidence-based regulations covering staffing, safety, participant rights, confidentiality, and coordination with other services. Certified centers will be listed on a state website as verified options, and the commissioner can inspect them, impose penalties for noncompliance, and ensure services are Medicaid-reimbursable. The program directly affects recovery centers seeking recognition and the state agency implementing oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes recovery centers with evidence-based standards, supporting rehabilitation to reduce recidivism - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification program for substance use recovery centers with evidence-based regulations, enhancing mental health service access and patient rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 4162: Relates to Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing

This bill sets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing services starting July 1, 2026. It requires the Department of Health (DOH) to publish a private duty nursing rate schedule at least 30 days before implementation and annually thereafter. Reimbursements must be no less than 80% of the applicable CHAMPUS/TRICARE maximum allowable charge for New York locality. The policy directly affects Medicaid enrollees receiving private duty nursing care and the home care providers delivering these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates (80% of TRICARE) for private duty nursing, ensuring adequate provider payments and improving access to care for Medicaid enrollees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5337: Relates to professional educational requirements for polysomnographic technology services

This bill sets educational and certification requirements for professionals providing polysomnographic technology services (sleep studies under physician supervision). It requires individuals to hold an associate degree or equivalent program in polysomnographic technology, or maintain specific existing certifications (e.g., registered polysomnographic technologist or respiratory therapist). Practitioners must pay a $300 application fee and $300 every three years for registration, with oversight under the same disciplinary rules as licensed professionals. The law directly affects healthcare providers performing sleep diagnostic services, ensuring standardized qualifications for patient safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes professional standards for sleep study technicians, ensuring qualified care through education/certification requirements in healthcare services.90% confidence

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