Healthcare (Medicaid)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 27, 2026

A 2126: Relates to requiring a referenced rate for prescription drugs

This bill creates a pilot program requiring New York state health programs to pay no more than the lowest price for certain prescription drugs in Canada. It sets maximum prices based on the most recent drug pricing lists from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, starting with the five most expensive drugs. State agencies and health plans must pay these Canadian-based rates for covered drugs, and any savings generated must be passed directly to consumers through reduced costs. The program applies only to state-funded health plans and agencies purchasing drugs for state programs, excluding Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state programs to pay Canadian drug prices, passing savings to consumers and reducing prescription costs, improving access to affordable medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 13, 2025

R 488: Senate budget resolution in response to the 2025-2026 Executive Budget submission

This Senate resolution (R 488) expresses the New York State Senate's position on the Governor's 2025-2026 Executive Budget proposal. It incorporates specific amendments to the Governor's budget bills (S.3000-B through S.3009-B) and details the Senate's recommended funding changes for state agencies. The resolution directly affects state programs by adding $20 million for Addiction Services grants, restoring $3.1 million for agricultural programs, increasing Aging Services funding by $33.8 million, and proposing Medicaid coverage expansions. It serves as the Senate's formal budget proposal to be considered during the legislative budget conference process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $20M for Addiction Services, restores $3.1M for agriculture, increases Aging Services funding - all direct funding expansions for public programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds $20M for Addiction Services grants, a direct healthcare program funding increase per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6586: Requires health insurance policies and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services

Bill A 6586 requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services for individuals with serious conditions expected to last at least three months and at high risk of hospitalization, nursing home placement, or health decline. These services help connect patients to social supports like transportation, housing, food assistance, and healthcare appointments, and include referrals, enrollment help, and care coordination. Certified navigators (trained through approved programs) must provide these services under a healthcare provider's supervision. The law applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive insurance policies, ensuring coverage for high-risk patients who need help accessing care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance/Medicaid to cover patient navigation services, expanding coverage for high-risk patients and improving access to care coordination and social supports.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1813: Relates to medical assistance for patients for infertility treatment

This bill amends New York's social services law to require medical assistance (like Medicaid) to cover specific fertility treatments for patients using oral or injectable ovulation drugs. It mandates coverage for necessary monitoring services - including office visits, diagnostic tests (like ultrasounds), and blood work - during infertility treatment. If federal funding isn't available for these services, the state would use its own funds to support a grant program ensuring access. The policy directly affects patients seeking fertility care who rely on state medical assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funds for infertility coverage if federal funds unavailable, increasing state healthcare spending under budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for infertility treatments and monitoring services, expanding health insurance access for reproductive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7239: Requires Medicare and Medicaid managed care providers to provide coverage for certain out-of-network health care

Requires Medicare and Medicaid managed care providers to provide coverage for certain out-of-network health care when the patient has a long term relationship with a medical professional who is not a recurring provider under the managed care provider's network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for out-of-network care under Medicare/Medicaid when patients have long-term provider relationships, expanding access and protecting patient continuity of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 940: 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 such coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates minimum Medicaid coverage for childbirth hospital stays, expanding access to maternity care and ensuring insurance coverage for essential postpartum care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1790: Includes care and services provided by a child advocacy center under standard coverage for Medicaid recipients

Includes care and services provided by a child advocacy center licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by the office of children and family services under standard coverage for Medicaid recipients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include child advocacy center services, increasing access to specialized care for recipients under standard coverage terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 8157: Enacts the "NYS health care tax reform act"

Enacts the "NYS health care tax reform act"; establishes a public goods and medicaid subsidy surcharge on insurance corporations; establishes a public goods and medicaid subsidy surcharge on business corporations; establishes a public goods and medicaid subsidy surcharge on pass-through entities; relates to filing fee surcharges; relates to revenues to be included in the health care reform act resources fund; establishes a public goods and medicaid surcharge on misclassified workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes corporate surcharges to fund health care reform, increasing tax revenue for public services per bill's surcharge mechanisms and fund allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes corporate surcharges to fund healthcare reform via the health care reform act resources fund, directly advancing healthcare funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 556: Requires coverage under medicaid and health insurance plans for treatment for smoking cessation

Requires that medicaid and health insurance plans provide coverage for costs of prescription smoking cessation treatment that is ordered by a physician; establishes a coverage limit for each covered individual.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/insurance coverage for physician-prescribed smoking cessation treatment, expanding preventive healthcare access and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 5565: Requires health insurance policies and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services

Bill S 5565 requires health insurance policies, including comprehensive-type coverage, and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services. This coverage is for individuals facing serious health conditions expected to last at least three months, who are at high risk for outcomes like hospitalization or physical decline. Patient navigation services include screening for nonclinical needs such as transportation or housing, connecting individuals to support services, and assisting with healthcare appointments. Reimbursement is provided to trained and certified patient navigators who work under the general supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance/Medicaid coverage for patient navigation services addressing nonclinical barriers, expanding access for high-risk patients and strengthening care coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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