Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9050: Authorizes Medicaid reimbursement for mental health clubhouses

Defines "mental health clubhouse"; provides that the department of health, in consultation with the office of mental health, shall authorize Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by mental health clubhouses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes Medicaid reimbursement for mental health clubhouses, expanding coverage and funding for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3555: Relates to establishing the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel

Relates to improving and expanding the pharmaceutical insurance coverage program for certain medicare enrollees; creates the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel, to be responsible for expanding pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates panel to expand pharmaceutical insurance coverage for Medicare enrollees, directly advancing medication access and coverage expansion per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3086: Provides that where the commissioner of health assumes the responsibility for the transportation of medicaid recipients in rural areas, existing public transportation systems shall be used

Provides that where the commissioner of health assumes the responsibility for the transportation of medicaid recipients in rural areas, existing public transportation systems shall be used when such systems are appropriate, available and the least expensive modes of transportation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures Medicaid transportation access via cost-effective public systems, improving patient access to healthcare services in rural areas.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates use of existing public transit systems for Medicaid transportation in rural areas, promoting efficient use of current infrastructure and least-cost transportation options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2652: Relates to safe staffing levels at nursing homes

Relates to safe staffing levels at nursing homes; requires the department of health to give significant weight to labor supply shortages in particular regions during any declared statewide disaster emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates department to prioritize labor shortages in nursing home staffing during disasters, protecting patient safety and continuity of healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires department to prioritize labor supply shortages in staffing during disasters, directly advancing workplace safety for nursing home workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4696: Establishes a tax credit for direct support professionals and direct care workers

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit relief for lower-income workers ($50k cap), directly aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income earners.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit for direct care workers strengthens healthcare workforce stability by providing financial support, aligning with funding and workforce development in healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit to low-income direct care workers, increasing take-home pay and supporting wage stability for essential laborers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6549: Relates to insurance coverage for medical marihuana

This New York bill requires state health programs (like Medicaid) to cover medical marijuana as a prescription drug under specific laws, but does not mandate coverage for private insurance plans. It clarifies that medical marijuana dispensed legally should not be classified as a "drug" in school policies. The law directly affects patients using medical marijuana under New York's program and impacts coverage in state-run health programs, including Medicaid and elder care benefits. Private insurers remain free to decide whether to cover medical marijuana.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/state programs to cover medical marijuana, expanding patient access to prescribed treatment under healthcare coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 6025: Authorizes licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services

This bill allows licensed creative arts therapists (as defined under New York's Education Law Article 163) to bill Medicaid directly for their services. It amends the social services law to explicitly include these therapists in the list of providers permitted to bill Medicaid directly for covered mental health services. The change affects creative arts therapists who currently provide services within their scope of practice but may have previously needed intermediaries to access Medicaid reimbursement. The bill does not alter their scope of practice or expand covered services - it only changes the billing mechanism. This would streamline payment for these therapists while maintaining existing Medicaid coverage rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables direct Medicaid billing for creative arts therapists, expanding mental health service access without intermediaries, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 30, 2026

A 2613: Provides additional protections for sensitive health information and requires patients to have the right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information

Provides additional protections for sensitive health information; requires all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information; defines terms; provides for exceptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly grants patients rights to restrict health data disclosures, strengthening privacy protections in healthcare systems per its summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient control over health data disclosures in electronic health systems, strengthening data privacy protections within health tech infrastructure.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7039: Establishes the class C felony of assault of a patient in a mental health or developmental disability facility

Establishes the class C felony of assault of a patient in a mental health or developmental disability facility, for the intentional causation of physical injury to a patient residing in a facility operated, licensed or certified by the office of mental health or the office for people with developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates class C felony for assaulting vulnerable patients in facilities, strengthening legal protections and accountability within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill criminalizes assault on patients in mental health facilities, directly protecting patient safety and rights within healthcare settings per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6336: Directs the commissioner of health to establish demonstration projects providing for equity investment in the operation of residential health care facilities

Directs the commissioner of health to establish demonstration projects providing for equity investment in the operation of residential health care facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects equity investment in residential health care facilities to improve operations, supporting healthcare services and equity.90% confidence

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