Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1626: Prohibits virginity examinations

Prohibits health care practitioners from performing a virginity examination or supervising the performance of a virginity examination on a patient; defines "virginity examination".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits non-medical virginity exams, protecting patient rights and autonomy in healthcare settings, aligning with patient rights indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1963: 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 care and aligning with healthcare funding/coverage indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 377: Relates to a cost of living adjustment for human services programs

S 377 requires New York's six human services agencies (mental health, developmental disabilities, addiction services, disability assistance, children's services, and aging) to adjust funding rates annually starting April 1, 2025, based on inflation. The adjustment uses the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to ensure reimbursement rates for covered programs keep pace with rising costs. It applies to specific services like mental health clinics, developmental disability supports, addiction treatment, and disability assistance programs, replacing all other cost-of-living increases for these services. The bill aims to maintain stable funding for service providers without requiring new legislative action each year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual inflation-based funding increases for essential human services programs, ensuring budget stability and preventing underfunding of critical public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires annual inflation-adjusted funding for mental health and human services programs, preventing reimbursement rate erosion and ensuring service continuity for covered healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1088: Relates to health insurance for state officers and employees who receive health insurance benefits from the state

Requires health insurance for state officers and employees who receive health insurance benefits from the state to take effect immediately upon employment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates immediate health insurance coverage for state employees upon hire, expanding access to benefits without waiting periods.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates immediate health insurance for state employees, strengthening employment benefits and worker protections per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 8335: Relates to enhancing the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants

Enhances the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances Department of Health oversight of physicians and medical professionals, strengthening accountability and quality standards in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7953: Provides for coverage of screenings for elevated lead levels

Bill A 7953 mandates that screenings for elevated lead levels, when covered by an insurance policy, will not be subject to annual deductibles or coinsurance. This means individuals would not incur additional out-of-pocket costs, such as a deductible or coinsurance, for these specific screenings. The bill also amends social services law to ensure that screening and blood tests for elevated lead levels in children are a covered service. "Elevated lead levels" are defined by referencing an existing public health law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no deductibles/coinsurance for lead screenings, expanding access to preventive care without cost barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 4956: Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services

Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDesignates jail-based substance use treatment as essential medical care, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates jail-based substance use disorder treatment as essential medical care, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 29, 2026

A 2590: Adds certain human services programs to the designated human services programs eligible for a cost of living adjustment

This bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 7.8% COLA funding for human services programs, requiring 2.6% staff salary increases, directly funding essential public services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 2.6% salary increases for mental health/addiction service staff via 7.8% COLA funding, directly strengthening provider services and staffing in key healthcare areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3601: Relates to the certification of dietitians and nutritionists

S 3601 allows certified dietitians and nutritionists to order therapeutic diets - including specialized nutrition support like tube feeding - in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The bill expands their scope of practice to include prescribing, managing, and monitoring these diets, removing prior requirements for physician orders. Facility medical directors or governing bodies must confirm the professional’s competency before they can provide these services. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dietitians' scope to order therapeutic diets without physician orders, improving patient access to nutrition services in healthcare facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4776: Requires insurer to respond within thirty days of a request from an insured for their health plan documents

Requires insurer to respond within thirty days of a written request from an insured for their health plan documents, including copies of most recent group or individual contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer response within 30 days for health plan documents, enhancing patient access and transparency per healthcare rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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