Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4462: Authorizes Medicaid coverage for the complex care assistant program

Establishes a program for specific individuals to become complex care assistants and provide private duty nursing services to certain Medicaid enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes Medicaid coverage for complex care assistants, expanding access to private duty nursing services for enrollees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8179: Extends current exemptions of income and resources for public assistance programs

This bill extends existing income and resource exemptions for public assistance programs under the 1997 welfare reform law. It changes the expiration date of these exemptions from August 22, 2025, to August 22, 2027. The extension ensures that individuals and families receiving benefits like SNAP or Medicaid will continue to qualify without losing eligibility due to income changes during this period. The bill also includes a retroactive provision to cover the period starting August 22, 2025, if enacted after that date. This change directly affects low-income households enrolled in state public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends income/resource exemptions for SNAP/Medicaid eligibility, preserving public assistance funding continuity without interruption or cost increases.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid eligibility exemptions, preventing loss of healthcare coverage for low-income individuals by maintaining income/resource thresholds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · New York · Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 5546: Provides for the release of patient records by the office of mental health

This bill requires New York's Office of Mental Health to create rules for releasing patient records after a person's death. It allows family members, legal representatives, or healthcare providers involved in the person's care to access these records upon written request, while respecting any prior expressed wishes of the deceased. The rules must follow federal privacy laws (HIPAA) and define "family member" for treatment-related requests. It applies directly to families of deceased residents in mental health facilities and the Office of Mental Health, overriding some existing privacy restrictions. The bill does not change current rules for living patients' records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables family/healthcare access to mental health records post-death while respecting privacy, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires HIPAA-compliant release of patient records, reinforcing data privacy protections for health information.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3566: Relates to including dental implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program

Includes implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program if a qualified dentist authorizes the procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include dental implants, crowns, and root canals as medically necessary, increasing access to dental care for beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1198: Limits co-payments for physical and occupational therapy services

This bill (S 1198) limits patient co-payments for physical and occupational therapy services under group health insurance policies. It requires that insurers cannot charge co-payments exceeding 20% of the total reimbursement paid to the therapy provider. The law applies to all group accident, health, or accident-and-health insurance policies covering these services, which must be provided by licensed therapists under physician referral. This change directly affects insured patients receiving physical or occupational therapy, capping their out-of-pocket costs for these covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill caps patient co-pays at 20% for therapy services, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to covered healthcare services under insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 607: Provides for the licensure of dietitians and nutritionists; repealer

This bill establishes a licensing system for dietitians and nutritionists in New York. It defines "licensed dietitian" and "licensed nutritionist," requiring professionals to meet specific education and training standards to practice. The law restricts the use of titles like "dietitian" or "nutritionist" to only those who are licensed, and specifies that only licensed professionals can provide medical nutrition therapy and therapeutic diets for health conditions. It also clarifies the scope of practice for both professions, including services like nutrition counseling and managing dietary needs for chronic diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for dietitians/nutritionists, ensuring qualified providers for medical nutrition therapy and improving patient safety/access to regulated healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5562: Prohibits a pharmacist from substituting any anti-epileptic drug for a prescribed anti-epileptic drug without the informed consent of the prescriber and patient

Prohibits a pharmacist from substituting any anti-epileptic drug for the prescribed anti-epileptic drug without notification of and the informed consent of the prescriber and patient or such patient's parent, guardian or spouse.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents unsafe drug substitutions without consent, protecting patient safety and rights in medication management for epilepsy treatment.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3391: Imposes a one year residency requirement for eligibility for medical assistance

Imposes a one year residency requirement for eligibility for medical assistance; authorizes the commissioner of health to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareImposes residency requirement, restricting access to medical assistance eligibility and limiting patient access to public health programs.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill imposes one-year residency requirement for medical assistance, restricting immigrant access to state services by limiting eligibility based on residency duration.90% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1244: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community adult and youth mental health programs and services

Senate Resolution 1244 establishes the allocation plan for state funds supporting community adult and youth mental health programs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The plan must be approved by the temporary president of the Senate and the budget director, then passed by a majority vote in the Senate, and must either list specific grantees with their funding amounts or detail the allocation method. It directs funds to local agencies and non-profits providing services like crisis intervention, behavioral care, and outpatient support, including specific allocations such as $150,000 to JCCA EDENWALD INC and $50,000 to Aisling Irish Community Center. The resolution also allows suballocations to state offices, such as $95,000 to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Westchester.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for essential mental health programs via specified grantee list, directly funding public services per Budget & Taxes topic indicators.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for community mental health programs, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic as per bill's funding purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3496: Relates to enhancing patient access to medication assisted treatment for treatment of opioid disease

Allows a licensed pharmacist to prescribe and order FDA-approved medication assisted therapy under a non-patient-specific regimen for the treatment of opioid use disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enhances patient access to opioid treatment by allowing pharmacists to prescribe FDA-approved medication-assisted therapy, directly improving healthcare access for opioid use disorder.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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