Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8496: Relates to the establishment of regulations for administering immunizations based on the recommendations of certain entities

Relates to the establishment of regulations for administering immunizations taking into consideration the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the advisory committee on immunization practices, any interstate body established for purposes of reviewing and making recommendations regarding immunization coverage and access, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands advisory bodies for immunization administration, strengthening public health program coordination without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 21, 2026

S 2446: Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution

Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution program to supply wound care kits designed for the treatment of injection-related wounds and skin and soft tissue infections, and xylazine test strips, to individuals with a substance use disorder or who are otherwise at risk of drug use, free of charge; prohibits facilities from collecting personally identifying information on such individuals; prohibits police from targeting individuals receiving wound care kits or xylazine test strips under such program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes harm reduction for substance use, reduces criminalization by prohibiting police targeting of recipients, aligns with reform goals of diverting from punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides free wound care kits and xylazine test strips for substance use disorder patients, directly improving access to treatment for injection-related wounds and infections, aligning with healthcare access and public health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6467: Provides for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; requires health insurance coverage for universal newborn nurse home visiting services

Provides for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; requires health insurance coverage for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; authorizes the department of health to apply for certain waivers; directs the superintendent of financial services to require an insurer, health carrier or health benefit plan to notify enrollees annually of universal newborn nurse home visiting services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for newborn nurse home visiting services, expanding access to preventive healthcare under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4207: Prohibits a mandatory immunization against the novel coronavirus/COVID-19

Prohibits a mandatory immunization against the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 for children, incapacitated persons, or students or staff of employment institutions or day care facilities; prohibits requiring people to carry or present evidence of having received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits mandatory vaccination requirements, restricting public health program implementation for disease prevention.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6065: Relates to the dispensing of hearing aids

This bill requires physicians who dispense hearing aids after conducting a required medical evaluation to sell them and related services (including repairs) at fair market value, not at inflated prices. It directly affects otolaryngologists and other licensed physicians who dispense hearing aids, mandating they provide repairs on devices they sold. Key provisions include prohibiting profit-based pricing for hearing aids and ensuring all necessary items or services are sold at fair market value. The law also requires these physicians to comply with additional existing regulations (sections 791, 798, and 803 of the business law). The bill takes immediate effect and was recently referred to the Consumer Protection committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents inflated pricing for hearing aids, ensuring fair market value and mandatory repairs, improving patient access and protecting from exploitative costs.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5098: Provides a tax credit for certain durable medical equipment

Provides a tax credit for certain durable medical equipment equal to fifty percent of the cost to purchase and install durable medical equipment in a residence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 50% tax credit for medical equipment, reducing tax burden for individuals - aligns with tax relief support indicator.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides 50% tax credit for durable medical equipment purchases, improving patient access to essential healthcare tools and reducing out-of-pocket costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4764: Repeals the excise tax on medical cannabis and the medical cannabis trust fund

This bill (A 4764) eliminates two existing provisions: the excise tax on medical cannabis sales and the medical cannabis trust fund (a dedicated funding program). It directly affects medical cannabis businesses and patients by removing the tax they pay and ending the dedicated funding stream. The bill repeals specific sections of the tax law (Section 490) and state finance law (Section 89-h), taking effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals excise tax on medical cannabis, providing tax relief and eliminating dedicated funding for the trust fund.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals medical cannabis trust fund, defunding dedicated healthcare program; aligns with 'oppose' criteria of defunding public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2516: Establishes program for familial dysautonomia, Canavan's and Tay-Sachs disease screening; authorizes department of health to provide grants

Authorizes the department of health to establish a program for familial dysautonomia, Canavan's and Tay-Sachs disease screening and counseling and to provide grants and to enter into contracts with public and non-profit private entities to assist in such program; provides that participation in such program shall be voluntary and all information shall be confidential.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes health department to establish genetic disease screening program with grants, advancing public health prevention services and expanding access to specialized healthcare.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8755: Provides cancer screening and treatment for retired volunteer firefighters

Provides cancer screening and treatment for retired volunteer firefighters; defines retired volunteer firefighters; retroactively applies to retired volunteer firefighters.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides cancer screening and treatment for retired firefighters, expanding targeted health coverage and improving access to healthcare services for a specific group.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 1647: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

This bill removes criminal penalties for possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction) when used for medical purposes under specific circumstances. It directly affects individuals who currently face criminal charges for possessing this medication, particularly those using it in addiction treatment. The key change amends Public Health Law to clarify that possession for medical use by a practitioner or patient is no longer classified as a crime. The law remains focused on medical use during treatment for addiction, without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for medical buprenorphine use in opioid treatment, reducing unnecessary criminalization and promoting rehabilitation over punishment in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine possession for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction, a healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

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