Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 7332: Includes doula awareness in the department of health's education and outreach program

This bill requires New York's Department of Health to create an ongoing public awareness program about doulas - trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy and birth. The program must produce and distribute educational materials highlighting doula benefits, including how they help reduce pregnancy-related mortality, with specific focus on higher risks for Black pregnant individuals. The department must publish this information online, update materials based on mortality data reviews, and report every three years on implementation. It directly affects pregnant people (especially Black individuals at higher risk), healthcare providers who receive the materials, and the Department of Health as the program administrator.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates public awareness program to reduce pregnancy mortality via doula support, directly improving maternal health access and outcomes for high-risk groups.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5108: Prohibits the sale of tobacco products and vapor products within five hundred feet of a public or private school

This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco and vapor products within 500 feet of any public or private school property. It directly affects retailers selling these products near schools and aims to protect students by restricting access near school grounds. The law defines the 500-foot limit as a straight-line measurement from the school’s property boundary to the business’s property boundary. Violations are enforced under existing health law procedures, allowing anyone to report noncompliance to authorities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits tobacco sales near schools to protect student health, directly advancing educational safety and well-being goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts tobacco access near schools to protect student health, aligning with public health initiatives aimed at reducing youth exposure to harmful products.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7304: Prohibits private insurers from charging co-payments for an annual pediatric eye exam completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist

This bill prohibits private health insurers in New York from charging co-payments for annual pediatric eye exams performed by optometrists or ophthalmologists. It directly affects children under 19 covered by private insurance, ensuring they receive these exams without out-of-pocket costs. The law amends insurance regulations to explicitly include annual pediatric eye exams as a covered preventive service under the same co-payment-free rules as other well-child visits. This change applies to exams conducted once per calendar year, regardless of the time since the previous exam.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates co-pays for pediatric eye exams under private insurance, expanding preventive care access for children under 19 and strengthening coverage under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9270: Extends dependent child coverage for certain individuals to age twenty-nine

This bill extends health insurance coverage for certain young adults in New York. It allows unmarried individuals aged 26 to 29 to remain on their parents' health insurance plans if they: (1) are not eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, (2) are not enrolled in Medicare, and (3) live, work, or reside in New York State. The change applies to standard health insurance policies covering hospital, medical, surgical, and prescription drug expenses. It specifically targets young adults who would otherwise lose coverage at age 26 but meet these criteria, expanding existing coverage beyond the previous 26-year limit for this group.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends health insurance coverage to young adults (26-29) ineligible for employer plans, expanding access without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends health insurance benefits for young adults without employer coverage, expanding worker benefit access per Labor & Employment indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9260: Relates to permitting licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations

Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare access by permitting pharmacists/nurse practitioners to prescribe COVID-19 vaccines, improving patient access to immunizations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 28, 2026

A 9217: Excludes certain medication abortion drugs from being deemed unlawful to prescribe or dispense and from being deemed misbranded under certain circumstances

Provides that the prescribing, dispensing, or receipt of mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be considered a criminal conversion act under certain circumstances; provides that mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be deemed to be adulterated or misbranded under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes legal barriers to prescribing/dispensing medication abortion drugs, directly expanding patient access to reproductive healthcare services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3759: Relates to social model adult day services programs

S 3759 establishes state standards and oversight for social adult day services programs that support functionally impaired seniors (those needing help with daily tasks like eating, moving, or supervision due to cognitive issues). It requires the state director to set rules for services, staffing, and inspections (initial and every five years), with programs needing certification to operate. The bill also details funding: providing 75% state grants (with a possible 100% grant for financially needy providers) for eligible programs, while prohibiting duplication of existing federal or state funding. This directly affects nonprofit and local government providers of these services and the elderly individuals receiving care in community-based settings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 75% state grants (up to 100% for needy) for adult day services programs, directly funding public services per Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes state standards, certification, and 75% funding for adult day services supporting seniors with functional impairments, directly enhancing healthcare access and service quality for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5125: Requires health care professionals to inquire about the opioid history of certain patients

Requires that where a health care professional or professionals require the completion of an allergy checklist or form by the patient, prior to receiving care by such professional or professionals, the checklist or form shall also inquire about the opioid history of such patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates opioid history inquiry during patient checklists to enhance safety and prevent misuse, aligning with healthcare protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9248: Requires pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and wholesalers to annually disclose all gifts to certain health care practitioners

Enacts the New York state pharmaceutical drug manufacturer and wholesaler disclosure act; requires pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and wholesalers to annually report to the New York department of health, for disclosure to the general public, all of its gifts to health care practitioners that prescribe drugs when such gifts have a value of seventy-five dollars or more; authorizes the commissioner of health to impose penalties and promulgate necessary rules and regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pharmaceutical transparency to prevent conflicts of interest, promoting ethical prescribing and patient safety in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5511: Effectuates a Medicaid rate enhancement for Valley Health Services of the Bassett Healthcare Network

Effectuates a Medicaid reimbursement rate enhancement for Valley Health Services of the Bassett Healthcare Network, and provides that such reimbursement rate enhancement shall be in addition to costs otherwise reimbursable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for a healthcare provider, directly enhancing funding for healthcare services under a public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track