Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3974: Creates the office of the ombudsperson for behavioral health access

This bill creates an independent office of the ombudsperson for behavioral health access in New York. The ombudsperson will directly assist New Yorkers - especially those who are uninsured, underinsured, or navigating complex coverage - with resolving issues related to mental health and substance use disorder care access, including complaints about insurers or providers. Key provisions include the ombudsperson operating autonomously (with independent hiring and budget control), helping consumers file appeals, tracking violations of treatment rules, and reporting annually to state officials on access challenges. The office will not make policy changes but will serve as a neutral resource to navigate existing systems and connect people to appropriate support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new office with independent budget control, funding behavioral health access services as a public program.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates office to resolve mental health/substance use disorder access issues, improving patient navigation and rights for uninsured/underinsured.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 856: Authorizes certain facilities to provide treatment for the mental health and health care needs of individuals admitted for a substance use disorder

Authorizes certain facilities to provide treatment for the mental health and health care needs of individuals admitted for a substance use disorder; provides that such services shall be reimbursable by Medicaid and private insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes mental health services for substance use disorder patients with Medicaid/private insurance reimbursement, expanding access and funding for mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4917: Requires health insurance contracts cover postpartum pelvic floor therapy

This bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy as part of mandatory maternity care. It directly affects new mothers by ensuring their health insurance must include this specific therapy to aid recovery after childbirth. The bill amends existing insurance law to add "postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy" to the list of required benefits, alongside services like breastfeeding support and newborn assessments. The policy change applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding required maternity benefits to improve access and patient recovery.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires health insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding mandatory maternity benefits to support new mothers' health recovery and workforce continuity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Women's 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

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5299: Requires prescription containers for opioid medications to have a red cap top and a printed warning

This bill requires all prescription containers for opioid medications to have a red cap top displaying the warning "Caution: OPIOID. Risk of overdose and addiction." It directly affects pharmacies dispensing opioids by mandating this specific container labeling. The key mechanism specifies that containers must use a red cap (or red stickers if caps are unavailable) with the exact warning text, replacing existing color-coded labeling requirements for controlled substances. This policy change aims to increase visible safety warnings at the point of prescription.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clear opioid warning labels to prevent overdose/addiction, directly enhancing patient safety in healthcare as defined.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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