Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 7, 2026

S 3185: Provides outpatient insurance coverage for non-pharmacological treatments and non-opioid drugs for chronic pain

Bill S 3185 mandates that health insurance policies covering pain management services must also provide outpatient coverage for non-opioid treatments for chronic pain, defined as pain lasting over three months. This directly affects individuals with chronic pain by expanding their covered treatment options to include complementary and integrative therapies. The bill ensures that insurance companies cannot impose stricter financial requirements or treatment limitations on non-opioid chronic pain treatments than they do for other medical benefits or for opioid-based pain treatments. This aims to provide comparable access and coverage for these non-opioid alternatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for non-opioid chronic pain treatments, expanding patient access to covered options without restrictive financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6076: Requires sickle cell disease coursework or training for every medical student, medical resident and physician assistant student in the state

This bill requires all medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students in the state to complete approved training on sickle cell disease awareness and treatment as part of their educational programs. The training must be documented and submitted to the health department, with guidelines developed in consultation with medical boards and health equity groups. The department must also report annually on the program's implementation and effectiveness to the governor and legislature. This policy directly affects healthcare education programs and aims to improve provider knowledge about sickle cell disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates sickle cell disease training for medical students to improve treatment knowledge and patient outcomes, advancing healthcare quality and provider preparedness.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5173: Prohibits medical assistance providers from refusing to furnish care, services or supplies to any person for whom Medicaid is secondary insurance

Prohibits medical assistance providers from refusing to furnish care, services or supplies to any person who is entitled to receive such care, services or supplies under this title if such medical assistance provider furnishes the same care, services or supplies under the Medicare program pursuant to title XVIII of the federal social security act and the person is dually eligible under that program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits providers from denying care to dual-eligible patients (Medicare/Medicaid), improving access and protecting patient rights under healthcare coverage policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3056: Relates to the continuity of family planning services in the state

Relates to the continuity of family planning services in the state; establishes a family planning program in the department of health to ensure the continuity of family planning services in the state; covers family planning providers who lost eligibility for federal funding under Title X of the Federal Public Health Service Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state program to maintain family planning services continuity after Title X defunding, protecting patient access to reproductive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1713: Expands the definition of wellness programs

Expands the definition of wellness programs to include a program to address the impacts of technology use on the mental and physical well-being of youth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school wellness programs to address tech impacts on youth well-being, enhancing student support services within educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands wellness programs to include youth mental health services, directly advancing mental health care access under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 268: Includes implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain management as standard coverage for medical assistance

This bill requires the state medical assistance program to cover implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain management as a standard benefit. It directly affects individuals enrolled in the medical assistance program who rely on these devices for long-term pain treatment not related to cancer. The key provision amends social services law to explicitly include implantable infusion pumps in the list of covered services. The change would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates standard coverage of implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain, expanding medical assistance benefits and improving patient access to pain management services.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7310: Requires certain health insurance policies to provide coverage for diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer

Provides that every health insurance policy which provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care shall provide coverage for the standard diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer upon the recommendation of a physician; provides that such standard diagnostic testing shall include a pelvic examination, a sonogram and a CA 125 blood test and related laboratory and diagnostic services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for ovarian cancer diagnostics, expanding patient access to preventive care and standard testing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1175: Creates the lupus research enhancement program and the lupus research enhancement fund

This bill creates a state-funded program to advance lupus research and establishes a dedicated fund for this purpose. It directs the health department to award competitive grants to academic medical institutions conducting lupus research, focusing on areas like diagnostics, therapies, and health disparities. A new advisory council - including people with lupus, researchers, and healthcare experts - will guide funding priorities and monitor progress. The program aims to address gaps in lupus care, such as the lack of new treatments in nearly 40 years and higher disease impact on women of color, by supporting scientific research rather than direct patient services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded research program with dedicated fund, explicitly allocating budget resources to advance lupus research priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded lupus research program and dedicated fund, advancing medical research to improve patient care and address health disparities.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 8052: Relates to notices of non-renewal provided to a health care professional by a health care plan

This bill requires health care plans (like insurers) to provide health care professionals with a written explanation and a 30-day review period before terminating or not renewing their contracts. It mandates a hearing panel composed of three licensed professionals - appointed jointly by the plan and the professional - to review termination decisions, ensuring impartiality and requiring decisions to be made within 30 days of a request. The bill explicitly prohibits termination for protected activities, such as advocating for patients, filing complaints, or requesting a hearing. It directly affects health care professionals and health care plans operating under New York’s public health and insurance laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates written explanations, 30-day reviews, and impartial panels for healthcare professional contract terminations, protecting providers from arbitrary decisions and ensuring service continuity.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates due process for health care professionals facing termination, including written explanation, 30-day review, impartial hearing panel, and prohibits termination for protected activities, strengthening worker protections in employment c...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 3361: Requires medical evaluations for assisted living eligibility to be conducted within thirty days prior to the date of admission

This bill requires medical evaluations for assisted living facility admission to be completed within 30 days before a resident's move-in date. It directly affects assisted living facilities and prospective residents, mandating that evaluations must be signed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The key provision updates eligibility rules to ensure assessments reflect current health needs. This change aims to improve safety and appropriateness of care placements by requiring timely evaluations. (4 sentences)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires timely medical evaluations for assisted living eligibility to ensure current health assessments, improving care safety and appropriateness per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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