Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jan 14, 2025

J 94: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week in the State of New York

This Senate Resolution (J 94) requests Governor Hochul to designate April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week in New York State. It directly affects Black women in New York, who face significantly higher maternal mortality rates (40.4 deaths per 100,000 live births vs. 12.1 for white women) due to systemic health disparities. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about these inequities and support community-led solutions, without creating new laws or funding. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses systemic maternal health disparities (Black maternal mortality rate 40.4 vs white 12.1) via awareness and community solutions, advancing healthcare equity without funding restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5744: Relates to increasing monetary penalties for public health law violations

This bill increases civil penalties for violations of public health laws. It raises the base penalty from $2,000 to $3,000 per violation, with higher penalties for repeat offenses ($10,000) or violations causing serious harm ($20,000). Nursing home and hospital operators face increased penalties of $5,000 per violation, with excess funds from nursing home penalties directed to a quality improvement program. The changes apply to violations affecting public health safety and redirect collected penalties to specific state health initiatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases penalties for public health violations, directs nursing home fines to quality improvement program, strengthening enforcement and healthcare standards85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5720: Establishes registered medical assistants

This bill establishes a registration system for medical assistants in New York. It allows registered medical assistants to perform basic administrative tasks (like filing records and billing) and advanced clinical tasks (such as administering vaccines) under the supervision of licensed healthcare providers. To become registered, individuals must complete an approved education program, pay fees ($115 initial, $45 triennial), and meet character and age requirements. Only those registered with the state may use the title "Registered Medical Assistant" or the abbreviation "M.A.-R."

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes registration for medical assistants to perform clinical tasks (e.g., vaccines) under supervision, expanding qualified workforce capacity and improving healthcare access.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1484: Enacts the model overdose mapping and response act

This bill creates a centralized system to track and map drug overdose incidents across New York State in near real-time. It requires local agencies (including coroners, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and health departments) to report confirmed or suspected overdoses to a shared data platform called ODMAP. The system generates location maps to help agencies quickly identify overdose "spikes" and target resources like treatment access, public education, and law enforcement interventions. This aims to improve coordinated responses to the overdose crisis without changing existing laws or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes public health response via overdose mapping, targeting treatment access - aligns with reform by shifting focus from punishment to rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates real-time overdose mapping to target treatment access and public health resources, strengthening response to overdose crisis95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5553: Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program

Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program for advanced degrees in nursing; provides such incentives shall be awarded annually, on a competitive basis, to registered professional nurses and certified nurse practitioners who are in a masters or doctoral program and agree to teach nursing for one year for each year such incentive is awarded.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides funding incentives for nursing faculty to teach, strengthening higher education staffing and program capacity in healthcare education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing faculty education to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly supporting medical professional training and patient access through scholarship incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2452: Relates to authorizing certain health care professionals licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to practice in this state

This bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states (including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and midwives) to provide reproductive health services in this state without first obtaining a local license. To qualify, they must apply for a license, submit a letter of intent to provide such services, and provide an employer/health care entity letter confirming employment or a contract for reproductive health services at a specific location and start date. They may continue practicing under this provision until their license application is approved or denied, while still complying with all applicable licensing rules and practicing within their scope of expertise. The provision does not apply to professionals from states or territories deemed to have substandard licensing standards by the commissioner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for out-of-state reproductive health providers, improving patient access to care without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4711: Directs the commissioner of health to authorize additional reimbursement to providers of health and dental care primarily serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for certain services

Directs the commissioner of health to authorize additional reimbursement to providers of health and dental care primarily serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for uncompensated time, use of staff, and services that are necessary to support treatment of a patient as a result of the patient's physical, intellectual, or developmental disability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly authorizes additional reimbursement to healthcare providers serving disabled patients, increasing funding for specialized care and improving access to services.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6303: Requires the department of health to collect and report certain data concerning COVID 19

Requires the department of health to collect and report certain data concerning COVID-19 including racial, ethnic, and other demographic disparities throughout the state which are contributing to the amount of positive cases and the care provided for such.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires data collection on COVID-19 disparities to inform public health responses, advancing health equity through targeted reporting.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7370: Authorizes medical assistants to administer vaccinations

Authorizes physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to delegate the task of administering vaccinations to medical assistants provided that such vaccinations are recommended and such medical assistants receive proper training and adequate supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes medical assistants to administer vaccinations under supervision, expanding healthcare access and workforce capacity for public health programs without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 6693: Modernizes the practice of podiatry

This bill modernizes podiatry practice by expanding podiatrists' scope to include specific ankle surgical procedures. It allows podiatrists with "standard" or "advanced" ankle surgery privileges to perform defined treatments like ankle fracture fixation, fusion, and arthroscopy, while clarifying anatomical boundaries (e.g., procedures limited to the ankle joint and below the tibial tuberosity). The bill creates a new "limited permit" for podiatrists to train under supervision for advanced surgery qualifications. It directly affects licensed podiatrists seeking expanded surgical authority and patients requiring ankle care, without altering broader medical practice rules. The changes require department-issued privileges and specify exact surgical capabilities within defined anatomical limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands podiatrists' scope to include advanced ankle surgeries, improving patient access to specialized care without requiring referrals to other specialists.90% confidence