Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8352: Requires insurance coverage of outpatient problem gambling services

This bill requires health insurance companies to cover outpatient treatment for problem gambling as part of substance use disorder services. It applies to all medical, major medical, or comprehensive insurance policies sold in New York. The law mandates that coverage for problem gambling cannot have stricter financial limits (like higher copays) or treatment restrictions than those applied to standard medical or surgical care. This ensures gambling treatment is covered on par with other medical services without additional barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for problem gambling treatment as part of mental health services, ensuring parity with medical care and expanding access to behavioral health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5969: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

S 5969 requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities to post a "treatment bill of rights" in visible locations and provide a copy to every patient at admission. This bill of rights outlines 10 specific patient rights, including the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and report grievances. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and facility staff, who must also receive copies of the document. The law mandates these postings and distributions without altering existing treatment standards, focusing solely on transparency and patient awareness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes patient rights in substance use treatment facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving treatment quality and patient autonomy.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires treatment facilities to post patient rights including participation, privacy, and grievance reporting for substance use disorder care, directly protecting patient rights in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3120: Provides reimbursement for transportation to and from inpatient and outpatient diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorder

This bill requires health insurance plans covering hospital or major medical services to reimburse transportation costs for both inpatient and outpatient treatment of substance use disorder. It applies to all such insurance policies and mandates that transportation coverage cannot have stricter financial rules than those for standard medical care. The bill also ensures inpatient coverage includes unlimited medically necessary residential treatment for substance use disorder without restrictive limits. This directly affects insurance companies (by requiring new coverage) and people seeking substance use disorder treatment (by reducing transportation barriers).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance reimbursement for substance use disorder treatment transportation, expanding coverage access without stricter financial rules than standard care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 3362: Repeals section 3372 of the public health law

New York's S 3362 repeals Section 3372 of the Public Health Law, which previously required healthcare practitioners to report patients' drug use to authorities. This change directly affects doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who previously had this reporting obligation. The bill removes the specific legal requirement for practitioners to document and submit such information about patient substance use. The repeal simplifies administrative duties for healthcare providers but does not alter other patient privacy protections or drug-related regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepealing mandatory drug use reporting removes a barrier to patient-provider trust, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare policy as per the topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3742: Requires high schools to carry and have a trained employee to administer opioid antagonists

This bill (A 3742) requires all high schools to keep opioid antagonists (like naloxone) available for emergency overdose treatment and to have at least one trained employee present during all school hours and after-school activities. The law mandates schools to acquire the medication, designate a staff member who completed approved training in its use, and ensure that employee oversees storage and administration. It directly affects high schools, students, and staff by establishing a concrete protocol for responding to opioid overdoses on school grounds. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and does not include exemptions for school activities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to stock naloxone and train staff for opioid overdose emergencies, directly strengthening public health response and student safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 2300: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

This bill requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities in New York to prominently post a "treatment bill of rights" for patients. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and the facilities providing those services. The law mandates facilities to display the bill of rights - including key patient rights like the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and be free from discrimination - and provide a copy to each patient at admission. The bill also requires facilities to give staff copies of these rights. This creates a standardized, visible framework for patient protections in substance use disorder treatment settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates posting patient rights (participation, privacy, non-discrimination) in substance use disorder treatment facilities, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5260: Relates to patient counseling before issuing a prescription for a schedule II opioid

Relates to patient counseling before issuing a prescription for a schedule II opioid; requires practitioners to consult with the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and the patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity, and to inform the patient of the risks associated with opiate addiction and document the reason for the prescription.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires counseling on opioid addiction risks, quantity options, and documentation to protect patients from misuse, strengthening patient safety in healthcare prescribing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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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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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

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8569: Relates to dispensing certain individuals with opioid reversal drugs upon discharge

This bill requires hospitals and inpatient facilities to provide at least two doses of naloxone (an opioid reversal drug) to patients at discharge if they appear to be at risk for a substance use disorder. It directly affects individuals leaving hospitals after treatment for substance use disorders or being discharged from emergency departments, as well as patients leaving state-operated facilities for alcoholism/substance abuse or mental health care. The key provision mandates that facilities dispense naloxone upon discharge for these at-risk patients, without requiring prior prescription. The law aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths by ensuring immediate access to reversal medication when patients leave care settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone provision at discharge for at-risk patients, directly enhancing overdose prevention and patient safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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