Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 2655: Relates to insurance coverage for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

S 2655 requires health insurance plans to cover rehabilitation treatment for children diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Insurance companies must provide this coverage when a child's doctor certifies in writing that the treatment is medically necessary. The bill applies to all health insurance policies, including group plans, directly affecting families with children who have PANS and the insurance providers. It references an existing definition of PANS from New York's public health law to ensure consistent application.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for PANS rehabilitation treatment, expanding patient access to medically necessary care for children with this condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5389: Requires insurance coverage for child and family treatment and support services and children's home and community based services

Requires all policies that provide coverage for inpatient hospital care to include benefits for child and family treatment and support services and children's home and community based services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for child/family treatment and home-based services, expanding healthcare access and benefits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 28, 2025

A 1040: Relates to establishing the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel

This bill creates a new "expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel" within New York's executive department to manage expanded prescription drug coverage for residents. The panel, composed of agency leaders (including health and aging officials), will set program rules, determine patient cost-sharing amounts, and develop outreach to inform eligible people about benefits - particularly affecting seniors and low-income New Yorkers who rely on prescription drug coverage. Key mechanisms include annual reporting on enrollment, costs, and program effectiveness, as well as coordinating with federal programs like Medicare. The panel will operate without paid members, focusing on implementing expanded coverage under existing state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates panel to expand prescription drug coverage for seniors/low-income residents, improving access and managing cost-sharing under new program rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3605: Relates to establishing the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel

This bill establishes the "expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel" within New York's executive department to broaden access to prescription drug coverage. The panel, composed of state agency leaders (including health, aging, and budget officials), will set cost-sharing rules, develop outreach programs for eligible residents, and report annually on enrollment and program costs. It directly affects elderly and low-income New York residents by expanding access to state and federal prescription drug benefits. The panel will operate without member compensation, focusing on improving coverage efficiency and informing applicants about available benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands prescription drug coverage access for elderly/low-income residents via new panel setting cost-sharing rules and outreach programs, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 22, 2025

J 202: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Mental Health Month in the State of New York

This Senate Resolution (J 202) asks Governor Hochul to officially designate May 2025 as Mental Health Month in New York State. It does not create new laws or programs but requests a symbolic proclamation to raise public awareness about mental health. The resolution highlights statistics on mental illness prevalence, treatment gaps, and suicide risks to underscore the importance of awareness. It directly affects New Yorkers by promoting community recognition of mental health challenges during this designated month.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution requests symbolic proclamation for Mental Health Month to raise awareness, aligning with promoting mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 7833: Relates to add-on payment for pediatric practices that implement the HealthySteps model

This bill creates a special payment for pediatric practices that use the HealthySteps model, which supports families with young children. It requires the state health commissioner to establish an add-on payment rate to help cover costs for services like developmental screenings, behavioral health support, and prevention programs for children from birth to age six. Eligible practices must meet specific HealthySteps quality standards. The payment would be added to existing reimbursements for federally qualified health centers and rural clinics, without affecting other payment calculations. The policy takes effect April 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes enhanced reimbursement rates for pediatric practices in HealthySteps program, directly increasing funding and improving access to pediatric healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3207: Relates to medical assistance coverage for medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy for the purpose of disease management

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover medically tailored meals and nutrition therapy provided by certified dietitians, nutritionists, or doctors. It specifically applies to people diagnosed with chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer's disease, limiting coverage to 10 meals per week for up to three months per diagnosis. Insurance plans must pre-approve meal vendors and cover services without cost-sharing that is more restrictive than other chronic disease treatments. The law ensures coverage for these services as part of managing chronic conditions, without reducing existing benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically tailored meals/nutrition therapy for chronic conditions, expanding patient access without cost-sharing95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2025

S 1235: Relates to the ability of the New York state medical care facilities finance agency to issue certain bonds and notes

This bill increases the New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency's borrowing limit for hospital and nursing home project bonds from $18.2 billion to $20.2 billion. It directly affects medical facilities seeking financing for construction or improvements by allowing the agency to issue up to $200 million more in bonds. Key provisions include a new rule ensuring that refunding bonds don’t increase long-term debt costs and clearer requirements for maintaining reserve funds. The bill modifies existing law to expand financing capacity while maintaining fiscal safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases borrowing capacity for medical facility financing, enabling construction/improvements to healthcare infrastructure and expanding funding access for hospitals/nursing homes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2665: Permits specialist assistants to prescribe controlled substances as a practitioner

This bill allows registered specialist assistants (like nurse practitioners or physician assistants) to prescribe controlled substances under specific conditions. It permits them to prescribe these medications "in good faith" and within their assigned scope of practice, but only for patients under the direct supervision of a supervising physician. The law requires physician oversight and gives health and education commissioners authority to create implementing regulations. This change directly affects specialist assistants and their supervising physicians by expanding prescribing authority for controlled substances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands prescribing authority for specialist assistants under physician supervision, improving patient access to controlled substances and enhancing provider flexibility in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1713: Requires health insurance coverage for lymphedema

Requires health insurance policies and contracts shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema, both primary and secondary lymphedema; requires such coverage shall include benefits for equipment, supplies, devices, complex decongestive therapy and out-patient self-management training and education for the treatment of lymphedema, both primary and secondary lymphedema.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for lymphedema diagnosis, treatment, equipment, and therapy, directly expanding health coverage and improving patient access for a specific medical condition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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