Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7522: Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions

Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits step therapy for serious mental health coverage, ensuring timely access to necessary treatments and protecting patient rights per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4545: Provides expanded enrollment through New York state of health through tax returns, expands New York state of health navigator program; creates the New York health benefit and cost commission; repealer

Provides expanded enrollment through New York state of health through tax returns (Part A); allows for enrollment through the New York state of health at any time for first-time enrollees; expands New York state of health navigator program (Part B); creates the New York health benefit and cost commission (Part C); establishes New York health care savings accounts to expand and incentivize purchasing private health insurance (Part D).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health coverage access via tax return enrollment, navigator program, and health savings accounts for private insurance95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5868: Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of certain public employee retirees

Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of public employee retirees and their dependents or reducing the employer's contributions for such insurance; defines employers to include the state, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities and commissions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents reduction in public employee health benefits funding, maintaining state/municipal spending commitments on retiree healthcare.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits reduction of health insurance benefits for public employee retirees, protecting existing coverage and aligning with healthcare protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly prohibits reducing health insurance benefits for public employee retirees, directly protecting existing employment-related benefits per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 29, 2026

A 1915: Provides for primary care investment

Requires health care plans and payors to have a minimum of twelve and one-half percent of their total expenditures on physical and mental health annually be for primary care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 12.5% annual expenditure on primary care (physical/mental health), directly increasing healthcare funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5397: Relates to Medicaid reimbursement rates for inpatient psychiatric care

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for inpatient psychiatric care to remain consistent and uniform throughout the duration of the patient's hospitalization, regardless of length of stay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures consistent Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric care, preventing payment fluctuations that could hinder access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4523: Relates to excused absence of a public employee for mental health purposes

This bill (S 4523) creates a new paid leave entitlement for public employees in New York State to address mental or behavioral health needs. It directly affects all covered public employees, including state workers, county staff, school employees, community college personnel, and those in retirement systems. The key provision allows these employees to take paid leave for mental health appointments without using their accrued sick leave. The leave is specifically designated for mental health purposes and does not count against existing sick time. This policy change provides a clear, non-punitive way for public employees to access mental health care.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly supports school employees' mental health needs, enhancing educator well-being and retention without restricting education policies.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates paid leave for mental health appointments, expanding access to mental health services for public employees without using sick leave.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates new paid mental health leave for public employees, expanding worker benefits without requiring sick leave use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Paid Leave Public Employees

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4961: Provides insurance coverage for cranial prostheses

S 4961 requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover cranial prostheses (wigs or hairpieces) for individuals with medical hair loss due to conditions like alopecia, lupus, or injury. It mandates coverage when a licensed provider prescribes the prosthesis as part of treatment for a diagnosed health condition, chronic illness, or injury. Coverage is limited to one instance per year with a $750 maximum per use, subject to existing cost-sharing requirements. The bill applies to individual, group, and hospital service policies, effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for cranial prostheses due to medical conditions, expanding health insurance benefits for patients with hair loss conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2025

S 786: Relates to education and outreach for drug-induced movement disorders by the department of health

Provides for education and outreach for drug-induced movement disorders by the department of health through the health care and wellness education and outreach program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides education/outreach for drug-induced movement disorders via health department's wellness program, advancing patient access to specialized care services.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 24, 2025

S 310: Relates to insurance coverage of certain procedures to detect breast cancer

Requires insurance coverage of sonograms and other diagnostic procedures used to detect breast cancer for covered persons with a prior history of breast cancer or who have a first degree relative with a prior history of breast cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance coverage for breast cancer detection procedures, expanding patient access to critical diagnostics for high-risk individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6305: Creates the health insurance guaranty fund

Creates the health insurance guaranty fund to protect covered individuals against the failure or inability of a health insurer to perform its contractual obligations due to financial impairment or insolvency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund to protect insured individuals from insurer insolvency, strengthening consumer protection in healthcare coverage95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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