Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6295: Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for epi-pens for individuals 18 years old and younger

This bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover epi-pens (epinephrine auto-injectors) for individuals under 18 years old when medically necessary. It applies to all individual, group, and certain health corporation insurance policies delivered in the state. Insurers must provide this coverage upon request by the insured or covered person. The requirement takes effect 90 days after the bill becomes law and applies to new contracts or renewals after that date. This directly affects insurers and children/teens with severe allergies requiring emergency epinephrine treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for epi-pens under 18, expanding access to critical allergy treatment and protecting patient rights for medically necessary care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3833: 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 no-cost coverage for FDA-approved antivirals, removing patient cost barriers and improving access to COVID-19 treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7594: Relates to requiring insurers participating in the NY state of health marketplace to offer at least one dental plan for individuals age 65 and older

Senate Bill S 7594 requires health insurers participating in the New York State of Health marketplace to offer at least one dental plan. This bill specifically mandates that these plans be available for individuals aged 65 and older. It amends current public health law to ensure that qualified or approved dental plans are offered through the state's health insurance marketplace. The bill aims to provide more dental coverage options for senior citizens.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dental coverage expansion for seniors in NY health marketplace, directly increasing insurance options and access for vulnerable population95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5421: Designates Xylazine as a schedule III depressant

This bill adds Xylazine (a veterinary sedative sometimes misused in human drug markets) to New York State's Schedule III list of controlled substances under public health law. Schedule III classification means Xylazine will now be regulated similarly to drugs like anabolic steroids, requiring prescriptions for medical use and imposing stricter controls on distribution. The law directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and law enforcement by establishing new legal requirements for handling Xylazine. It takes effect 90 days after enactment, following its referral to the Health committee on February 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClassifies Xylazine under public health law to control misuse, directly addressing public health programs as defined in the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8426: Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurer discrimination against mental health/substance use disorder patients, enforcing parity and protecting patient rights under federal law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents insurer discrimination on mental health/substance use, ensuring equal access to benefits, aligns with expanding worker benefits under employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5354: Requires health insurers to provide coverage without cost-sharing for opioid antagonists and devices

Requires health insurers to provide coverage without cost-sharing for opioid antagonists and devices; provides that no prior authorization of premedical review for coverage of such opioid antagonist is required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers cover opioid antagonists without cost-sharing or prior authorization, improving access to overdose reversal treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3769: Relates to the designation of an independent consumer assistance program

Relates to the designation of an independent consumer assistance program to assist consumers with the filing of complaints and appeals, track problems, educate consumers, assist uninsured, insured, or underinsured consumers in accessing appropriate health care services, assist with enrollment and provide other health insurance assistance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAssists uninsured/underinsured in accessing healthcare services and enrollment, directly improving patient access and support per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6352: Includes nurse practitioners as a provider of services for purposes of collaborative drug therapy management and makes the authorization for pharmacists to perform such management permanent

Includes nurse practitioners as a provider of services for purposes of collaborative drug therapy management; makes the authorization for pharmacists to perform such management permanent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands provider roles for nurse practitioners and pharmacists in drug therapy management, improving patient access to medication services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6492: Provides that policies which provide hospital, surgical or medical coverage shall provide coverage for hysterectomies

Provides that insurance policies which provide hospital, surgical or medical coverage shall provide coverage for hysterectomies; provides that such coverage shall include inpatient hospital coverage for a minimum period of seventy-two hours after surgery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for hysterectomies including 72h inpatient stay, expanding essential health service access per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2715: Requires comprehensive Medicaid coverage for the treatment of obesity

Requires Medicaid to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity including coverage for intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicaid coverage for obesity treatments including surgery and medications, expanding patient access to care and strengthening public health program coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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