Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 680: Relates to the mandatory coverage of hearing aids by insurers and other organizations

This bill requires large group health insurance plans to cover the cost of hearing aids when medically necessary, directly affecting insured individuals with hearing loss. Insurers must cover hearing aids dispensed by registered audiologists or hearing aid dispensers after a medical evaluation, with a $2,500 annual limit per ear every 36 months. The law prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on hearing aid brand, style, or circuit type and mandates in-network provider coverage. It applies to all relevant policies issued or renewed after its effective date (January 1 following enactment).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for hearing aids when medically necessary, expanding access to essential medical devices under health plans with no restrictive limitations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4470: Provides coverage for remotely connected insulin pens for certain patients with diabetes

This bill adds coverage for remotely connected insulin pens under New York's medical assistance pharmacy benefit. It covers eligible patients with diabetes aged seven or older (with adult supervision for younger patients) using these devices with prescribed insulin cartridges. The cost of this coverage, including administration, must be included in managed care organization premiums. This ensures patients can access these devices without additional out-of-pocket costs through their existing pharmacy benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds mandatory insurance coverage for diabetes management devices, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients and expanding access to critical healthcare technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3366: Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days

This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover substance abuse treatment for at least 45 days, both inpatient and outpatient. It prohibits insurers from applying stricter financial requirements or treatment limits to substance abuse care than those used for other medical conditions. Coverage must include unlimited medically necessary treatment in residential settings for inpatient care. The bill directly affects individuals seeking substance abuse treatment by mandating longer, less restricted access to care through insurance and Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive substance abuse coverage, prohibits discriminatory treatment limits, expands access to mental health services per healthcare topic definition95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3051: Relates to setting integrated behavioral health services

Authorizes the commissioner of the office of mental health, and the office of addiction services and support to jointly establish a single set of licensing standards and requirements for the construction, operation, reporting and surveillance of integrated behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes unified licensing standards for outpatient healthcare centers, strengthening regulatory framework for mental health/addiction services under health departments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 1942: Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners

Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners; adds nurse practitioners as persons who can authorize or make certain determinations authorized to be made or determined by physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nurse practitioner authority to make medical determinations, improving patient access to care without physician oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7384: Requires coverage of a hospitalized birthing parent's interhospital transport to accompany their infant needing such transport

Requires insurance coverage of a hospitalized birthing parent's interhospital transport to accompany such birthing parent's newborn infant experiencing a condition necessitating transport.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for parent-infant transport, expanding health coverage access during critical medical transfers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5103: Permits facilities to be dually licensed under the office of mental health and the office of addiction services and supports

This bill creates a new dual licensing program for facilities serving both mental health and addiction treatment needs. It allows facilities to obtain licenses simultaneously from both the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, rather than seeking separate licenses. The key provision requires the two commissioners to jointly develop this licensing program through new rules and regulations. This change directly affects facilities providing integrated mental health and addiction services, streamlining their regulatory process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables integrated mental health/addiction services via dual licensing, improving patient access to combined care without separate licensing barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1029: Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state

Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state for the purpose of establishing more efficient overdose medical treatment protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs study to combat opioid compounds and establish better overdose treatment protocols, enhancing public health response and medical care protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8175: Authorizes nurses and doctors licensed in Puerto Rico to practice in New York State

Bill A 8175, known as the "Puerto Rico Healthcare Professional Reciprocity Act," allows nurses and doctors licensed and in good standing in Puerto Rico to practice in New York State. The bill amends existing education law to deem these professionals as having met New York's educational and examination requirements. This means nurses and physicians from Puerto Rico would not need to retake national licensing examinations. However, they would still need to meet other New York requirements, such as character, fitness, and a residency program for physicians, and register their license with the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barrier for Puerto Rican healthcare professionals, expanding provider access in NY and improving patient care availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6554: Relates to funds received pursuant to a New York opioid settlement sharing agreement

This bill requires New York state agencies receiving opioid settlement funds to submit annual public reports detailing how these funds are spent. The reports must include baseline funding data, specific recipient information (including program details and populations served), the criteria for awarding funds, and evidence-based analysis of program effectiveness in reducing substance use disorders. It also prohibits government entities from pursuing legal claims against companies released under the statewide opioid settlement agreement after June 2021. All reports must be published as a public dashboard on government websites by November 1st each year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires evidence-based programs for substance use disorder reduction, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting treatment over incarceration and reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in opioid settlement fund usage for substance use disorder programs, ensuring effective public health spending on healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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