Healthcare (Long-Term Care)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4474: Permits certain nurses to perform medication related tasks provided by a certified medication aide

This bill (A 4474) allows certified medication aides to administer certain routine medications under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) in New York nursing homes. It permits tasks like giving pre-filled oral medications but prohibits injections (except for insulin, diabetes care, epinephrine, or naloxone) and central line maintenance. Certified medication aides must meet strict qualifications (training, experience, competency tests) and can only perform tasks assigned by an RN, who retains full oversight and documentation responsibility. The law directly affects nursing home staff (certified medication aides and RNs) and residents receiving medication care in licensed facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits certified medication aides to administer routine medications under RN supervision, improving medication access and efficiency in nursing homes without restricting patient care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 255: Relates to access to nursing home residents by essential caregivers

This bill requires nursing homes to provide daily in-person access to designated essential caregivers during visitation restrictions (e.g., public health emergencies). Essential caregivers - defined as individuals designated by residents (or their representatives if residents cannot decide) to assist with daily needs or emotional support - must be allowed access unless they violate safety protocols. Nursing homes must issue written warnings for protocol violations before denying access and provide a 24-hour written explanation for denials, including appeal options. An appeals process mandates the health department to investigate denials within 48 hours and may impose fines up to $5,000 for noncompliance. The law takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures nursing home residents' access to essential caregivers during health emergencies, improving patient access and rights in healthcare facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1864: Enacts the "Nurse of Tomorrow Act" to provide for grants to certain hospitals, schools and other entities for nurse recruitment, education and retention

Enacts the "Nurse of Tomorrow Act" to provide for grants from the state commissioner of education to public and not-for-profit hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools and other entities for nurse recruitment, education and retention costs and activities as described herein.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state grants for nurse recruitment/retention programs, increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides state grants for nurse recruitment/education/retention, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and access to medical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 547: Authorizes one or more demonstration projects that permit a managed long-term care plan to enroll persons that are permanently placed in a nursing home in rural areas

Authorizes one or more demonstration projects that permit a managed long-term care plan to enroll persons that are permanently placed in a nursing home and to manage the nursing home benefit in one or more rural areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes demonstration projects for managed long-term care enrollment in rural nursing homes, expanding access to managed care services for residents in underserved areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3599: Establishes regional minimum hourly base reimbursement rates for home care aides

This bill establishes regional minimum hourly payment rates that Medicaid must reimburse home care providers for services delivered to Medicaid patients. It directly affects home care agencies and providers employing aides covered by minimum wage laws, requiring rates to cover all direct care costs - including base wages, overtime, benefits, taxes, and mandated programs like COVID-19 sick pay. The commissioner must set these rates regionally based on cost factors, adjust them annually for labor law changes, and publish them publicly. Oversight includes comptroller reviews of managed care contracts to ensure rates meet the minimum standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates higher Medicaid reimbursement rates covering all direct care costs, increasing state budget allocations for essential home care services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement rates covering all costs for home care aides, ensuring provider sustainability and patient access to services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates Medicaid reimbursement rates covering base wages, benefits, and mandated programs, directly advancing worker compensation standards for home care aides.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Long-Term Care Medicaid Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4786: Eliminates a look-back period for home care for non-institutionalized Medicaid applicants; and repeals a certain provision of the social services law relating thereto

This bill eliminates the "look-back period" for Medicaid applicants receiving home care (non-institutionalized individuals), meaning their past asset transfers won't be reviewed to determine eligibility. It repeals a specific provision in the Social Services Law that previously required a 60-month review of asset transfers for home care applicants. The bill changes the eligibility rules to remove this review period, directly affecting people applying for community-based long-term care services instead of nursing home care. The change applies to non-institutionalized applicants and removes the requirement for reviewing asset transfers made within a specified look-back window.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates asset review requirement for Medicaid home care eligibility, expanding access to community-based long-term care services without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2652: Relates to safe staffing levels at nursing homes

Relates to safe staffing levels at nursing homes; requires the department of health to give significant weight to labor supply shortages in particular regions during any declared statewide disaster emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates department to prioritize labor shortages in nursing home staffing during disasters, protecting patient safety and continuity of healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires department to prioritize labor supply shortages in staffing during disasters, directly advancing workplace safety for nursing home workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6549: Relates to insurance coverage for medical marihuana

This New York bill requires state health programs (like Medicaid) to cover medical marijuana as a prescription drug under specific laws, but does not mandate coverage for private insurance plans. It clarifies that medical marijuana dispensed legally should not be classified as a "drug" in school policies. The law directly affects patients using medical marijuana under New York's program and impacts coverage in state-run health programs, including Medicaid and elder care benefits. Private insurers remain free to decide whether to cover medical marijuana.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/state programs to cover medical marijuana, expanding patient access to prescribed treatment under healthcare coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7192: Prohibits the establishment, incorporation, construction, or increase in capacity of for-profit nursing homes

Prohibits the public health and health planning council and the commissioner of health from approving the establishment, incorporation, construction, or increase in capacity of for-profit nursing homes.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits for-profit nursing homes, restricting healthcare facility availability and limiting patient access to nursing home services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4400: Relates to a moratorium on new licensed home care service agency approvals

This bill (S 4400) removes requirements that new home care agencies must prove "public need" and "financial feasibility" to receive state licensure. It directly affects small, locally operated home care service agencies (LHCSAs) by simplifying their approval process. The bill also adds public hearing requirements for managed care plans before limiting contracts with LHCSAs. These changes reverse provisions from the 2018-19 budget that restricted new agency approvals and contracting. The policy shift aims to support small home care businesses providing essential in-home services for seniors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for home care agencies, reversing 2018 restrictions to improve access for small providers. Directly supports expanded home care services and patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

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