Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6161: Relates to reducing pharmacy benefit manager costs

This bill (S 6161) requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to charge health insurers and health plans only for actual drug costs, pharmacy dispensing fees, and a fair administrative fee - passing through all rebates, discounts, and other financial benefits directly to the health plan. It bans "spread pricing" (where PBMs keep the difference between what they pay pharmacies and charge plans) and mandates full disclosure of all income sources to the state department. PBMs must provide quarterly refunds for any excess amounts kept under the old pricing model. The bill directly affects health insurers, health plans, and PBMs operating in New York, aiming to reduce prescription drug costs for consumers through transparency and cost accountability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PBM spread pricing, requiring rebates pass directly to health plans, lowering costs for insurers and patients while improving transparency in drug pricing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 2667: Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogation

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits restraints on vulnerable incarcerated populations during labor and interrogation, aligning with civil rights protections and criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits restraints during labor/pregnancy, protecting health safety of incarcerated individuals during critical health events, aligning with patient rights protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Policing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6981: Relates to state aid for home health care to meet community need

This bill (S 6981) creates annual state funding to support certified home health agencies providing in-home care and hospice services. It directs funds to help agencies meet community needs, particularly for underserved areas, high-need populations, and specialized staffing (like home health nurses). The funding mechanism uses a formula based on population size (25 cents per capita per region or $200,000, whichever is greater) and requires agencies to apply for grants demonstrating service to underserved communities. Funds must be used for specific purposes: expanding access, supporting recruitment/retention of staff, and implementing technology to improve service delivery. The bill directly affects certified home health agencies eligible to apply for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates annual state funding via per capita formula to support home health care services, increasing public spending on essential healthcare programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates annual state funding for home health agencies serving underserved areas and high-need populations, directly expanding access to in-home care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7501: Adds tianeptine sodium to the list of Schedule II of controlled substances

This bill adds tianeptine sodium to New York's Schedule II list of controlled substances under public health law. Schedule II classification means it will require strict prescription controls and limit distribution due to its high potential for abuse and accepted medical use. The change directly affects healthcare providers who prescribe it, pharmacies that dispense it, and individuals using the substance. This policy shift formalizes existing regulatory restrictions on tianeptine sodium as a controlled substance.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access by classifying tianeptine sodium under strict Schedule II controls, limiting prescriptions and distribution despite medical use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3860: Relates to the use of a medical immunization exemption form

This bill requires schools to accept a standardized medical immunization exemption form signed by a licensed healthcare provider. It directly affects students who cannot receive certain vaccines due to health reasons and the schools they attend. The form must include parent/guardian details, child information, the specific medical reason, and the provider's license details, covering diseases like measles, polio, and influenza. The bill eliminates additional state requirements for these exemptions, ensuring the form alone satisfies school admission policies under existing law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStandardizes medical exemption process, ensuring students with health concerns can attend school without unnecessary barriers, supporting educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes medical exemption forms for school immunizations, ensuring valid exemptions without unnecessary barriers, supporting public health compliance and herd immunity protection.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1150: Relates to protecting registered security guards in a hospital or health care facility from assault; class D felony

S 1150 makes it a class D felony to assault a registered security guard while they are working in a hospital or health care facility. This bill directly affects security guards employed in these settings by increasing penalties for attacks against them. The key mechanism is amending New York's penal law to specifically include "registered security guards in a hospital or health care facility" in the list of protected professionals, similar to nurses, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Previously, such assaults might have been classified as lower-level offenses, but this change elevates them to a felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties (class D felony) for assaulting protected security guards in hospitals, strengthening legal protections for personnel in critical infrastructure per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facility security personnel, enhancing safety for healthcare operations and staff within medical settings.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects security guards' workplace safety by increasing assault penalties, aligning with labor safety protections for vulnerable workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 6, 2026

A 8048: Relates to add-on payment for pediatric practices that implement the HealthySteps model

This bill directs the state health commissioner to create a special payment add-on for pediatric clinics that adopt the HealthySteps model of care. The program is designed to support team-based services aimed at improving child screenings, behavioral health promotion, and family support for children from birth to age six. To qualify for this additional funding, a clinic must demonstrate that it is meeting specific performance standards required by the HealthySteps program. The new payment rate would apply to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics, with funds excluded from certain financial reports. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates enhanced reimbursement rates for pediatric practices in HealthySteps program, directly increasing funding for child healthcare access and strengthening public health initiative.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Primary Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3351: Adds tianeptine sodium to the list of Schedule II of controlled substances

This bill adds tianeptine sodium to New York's Schedule II controlled substances list, which includes drugs with high abuse potential but recognized medical uses (like certain opioids). It directly affects healthcare providers who prescribe it, pharmacies that dispense it, and patients who use it, requiring stricter controls such as special prescriptions and recordkeeping. The law amends the public health law to include tianeptine sodium in Schedule II, aligning its regulation with other high-risk medications. The change takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access by imposing Schedule II controls on tianeptine sodium, requiring special prescriptions and recordkeeping for providers and patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6107: Creates the Brooklyn health care commission

Relates to creating the Brooklyn health care commission which shall be charged with examining the system of general hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory and primary care facilities, and medical school facilities in Kings county and recommending changes to that system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to examine and recommend system improvements for Brooklyn healthcare facilities, directly advancing healthcare infrastructure analysis and potential enhancements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 350: Changes the default standard on statutory health proxy forms regarding life-sustaining treatment standards

This bill changes New York's default rules for health care proxies regarding life-sustaining treatments. It requires individuals creating health care proxies to explicitly state their wishes about artificial nutrition and hydration; if they don't, their agent cannot make decisions about these measures. The law directly affects people who create health care proxies and their appointed agents when making medical decisions for someone unable to communicate. The key change is replacing the previous default (where agents could decide based on "best interests") with a rule that agents lack authority over artificial nutrition/hydration without clear patient instructions. This applies to both new and existing health care proxies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates explicit patient preferences for life-sustaining treatment in health proxies, protecting patient autonomy and rights in healthcare decision-making.95% confidence

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