Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 5241: Relates to utilization review determinations

Provides that certain utilization review determinations shall be made consistent with medical and scientific evidence; includes services for mental health and substance use disorders as part of emergency services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncludes mental health/substance use services in emergency care, requiring evidence-based utilization reviews - expands access to critical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1786: Relates to reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment

Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reimbursement for screenings/treatment for eligible children regardless of conditions, ensuring continued coverage and access to health services per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4786: Eliminates a look-back period for home care for non-institutionalized Medicaid applicants; and repeals a certain provision of the social services law relating thereto

This bill eliminates the "look-back period" for Medicaid applicants receiving home care (non-institutionalized individuals), meaning their past asset transfers won't be reviewed to determine eligibility. It repeals a specific provision in the Social Services Law that previously required a 60-month review of asset transfers for home care applicants. The bill changes the eligibility rules to remove this review period, directly affecting people applying for community-based long-term care services instead of nursing home care. The change applies to non-institutionalized applicants and removes the requirement for reviewing asset transfers made within a specified look-back window.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates asset review requirement for Medicaid home care eligibility, expanding access to community-based long-term care services without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3522: Relates to Medicaid eligibility for striking workers

This bill automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, directly affecting those who would otherwise lose coverage during such work stoppages. It requires Medicaid coverage to be limited to the duration of the strike, with no requirement to count personal resources toward medical costs. The health commissioner must establish regulations for eligibility, covered services, and a process for temporary "presumptive eligibility" based on preliminary information from qualified entities. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage to striking workers during labor disputes, ensuring temporary health insurance access without resource count during work stoppages.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically grants Medicaid during strikes, preventing loss of health coverage for workers in labor disputes, directly protecting worker benefits and rights during collective action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5955: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for acupuncture services

This bill requires most large employer-sponsored health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Specifically, it mandates that plans covering physician office services or major medical coverage must include acupuncture treatment (as defined by law) without denying coverage based on the provider's scope of practice. Plans may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles, co-pays, or benefit limits for these services. The law directly affects health insurers and employers offering large group health plans, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture services, expanding patient access without scope-based denial, directly advancing health coverage under healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer health plans to cover acupuncture, expanding employee health benefits under employment standards without restricting access, aligning with worker benefit protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1806: Establishes the abortion access fund and allows taxpayers to make gifts to the fund

This bill establishes the "abortion access fund" to support individuals seeking abortion services. It allows New York taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund via their state income tax returns starting in 2027 (without reducing their tax liability), with the tax form including a dedicated line for this purpose. Funds will be used to cover financial and logistical barriers for abortion access, supporting nonprofits providing services like medical care and transportation. The bill includes strong privacy protections, prohibiting the state from requiring nonprofits to share personally identifying information about patients or staff. The comptroller must annually report on fund usage, including disbursement details and financial plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund to cover abortion access costs, directly supporting healthcare services and patient access to medical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 2012: 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 HealthcareDirects health commissioner to study and combat new opioids for better overdose treatment protocols, advancing public health medical response and improving patient care protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3782: Provides for increased podiatry care and benefits under accident and health insurance policies

Provides for increased podiatry care and benefits under individual and group accident and health insurance policies and contracts within non-profit medical and dental indemnity, or health and hospital service corporations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases insurance coverage for podiatry care, expanding patient access to specialized foot care services under health insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6999: Enacts the "Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act"

Enacts the "Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act"; provides that for licensure as a clinical social worker, an applicant may satisfy the experience requirements under supervision of a mental health practitioner who has been granted the privilege to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans under article one hundred sixty-three of the education law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill modifies licensure requirements for mental health practitioners, enabling supervised practice to expand access to therapy services under qualified supervisors, aligning with mental health service support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6925: Relates to capping cost sharing for antiviral COVID-19 therapeutics

Requires insurance companies, medical expense indemnity corporations, hospital service corporations, health service corporations and medical assistance programs to provide coverage for prescribed antiviral therapeutics approved by the food and drug administration for the treatment of COVID-19 at no cost to the patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates zero-cost coverage for FDA-approved COVID-19 antivirals, improving patient access to treatment and expanding insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track