Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5789: Requires insurance policies to provide coverage for medically necessary hearing aids purchased from hearing aid dispensers

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover medically necessary hearing aids for children under 18. It mandates coverage for hearing aids purchased from licensed hearing aid dispensers or audiologists, including related services like mold adjustments. Coverage is limited to one hearing aid per ear every 24 months, unless a child's hearing loss significantly changes within that period. Insurance plans may still apply deductibles or copays, but must cover the hearing aids themselves (excluding batteries and cords).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary hearing aids, expanding access to essential health services for children under 18.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9281: Requires medical insurers to permit patients to assign their payments

This bill requires health insurers to allow patients to directly assign their payments to healthcare providers (like doctors or clinics) for covered services, regardless of whether the provider is in the insurer’s network. It applies to all medical, hospital, and surgical insurance policies issued in the state, ensuring patients can pay out-of-network providers directly if services are covered. Insurers must also send written notices to policyholders when paying providers directly, detailing the payment amount, services covered, and calculation method. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment for new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to allow direct patient payments to providers, improving access to out-of-network care and protecting patient payment rights under covered services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1439: Requires health insurance policies to offer full coverage for annual testing for ovarian cancer and requires certain health care providers offer annual testing for ovarian cancer

Requires health insurance policies to offer full coverage for annual testing for ovarian cancer; requires certain health care providers offer annual testing for ovarian cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for ovarian cancer testing and requires providers to offer annual screening, expanding access to preventive care and strengthening coverage for a critical health service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8593: Permits licensed pharmacists to prescribe and order certain medications for the purposes of inducing abortion or expelling a miscarriage

This bill permits licensed pharmacists in New York to prescribe and provide FDA-approved medications for abortion or miscarriage management, following specific requirements. Pharmacists must first administer a risk assessment questionnaire, provide a health factsheet with clinical guidance and follow-up information, and complete required training. It directly affects patients seeking medication abortion or miscarriage care and pharmacists offering these services. Pharmacists may still decline based on professional judgment regarding patient safety, but the law establishes clear protocols for access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to abortion care by enabling pharmacists to prescribe medications, directly improving healthcare access for reproductive services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 4, 2026

A 6923: Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for continuous blood glucose monitors for all children

Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for continuous blood glucose monitors for all children; requires coverage for glucose monitoring devices for all sugar disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pediatric glucose monitors, expanding access to essential diabetes care for children and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8592: Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for continuous blood glucose monitors for all children

This bill requires all health insurance plans in New York to cover continuous blood glucose monitors (like Dexcom devices) and related diabetes management supplies for **all children** diagnosed with diabetes or other sugar disorders, as prescribed by a doctor. It mandates coverage for equipment including monitors, test strips, insulin pumps, and diabetes self-management education (such as dietary guidance and treatment training). The law applies to all insurance policies covering physician services or major medical care, regardless of the child's age. Coverage must include medically necessary items listed by the state health department and education provided by certified professionals, limited to specific medically necessary circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for diabetes management tools (monitors, pumps, education), expanding access for children with diabetes per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 13, 2025

R 488: Senate budget resolution in response to the 2025-2026 Executive Budget submission

This Senate resolution (R 488) expresses the New York State Senate's position on the Governor's 2025-2026 Executive Budget proposal. It incorporates specific amendments to the Governor's budget bills (S.3000-B through S.3009-B) and details the Senate's recommended funding changes for state agencies. The resolution directly affects state programs by adding $20 million for Addiction Services grants, restoring $3.1 million for agricultural programs, increasing Aging Services funding by $33.8 million, and proposing Medicaid coverage expansions. It serves as the Senate's formal budget proposal to be considered during the legislative budget conference process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $20M for Addiction Services, restores $3.1M for agriculture, increases Aging Services funding - all direct funding expansions for public programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds $20M for Addiction Services grants, a direct healthcare program funding increase per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1243: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community public health programs and services

This bill establishes a mandatory process for allocating $2.4 million in state funds for community public health programs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires the state to create an approved plan listing every recipient organization and exact funding amount (e.g., $60,000 to Northwell Health, $50,000 to Caribbean Women's Health Association) before disbursement. The plan must be approved by the Senate President, Budget Director, and passed by a Senate roll call vote. This replaces previous funding methods by mandating transparency and legislative oversight for all grantees, including cancer centers, LGBTQ+ health providers, senior services, and community health organizations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds community public health programs via mandatory allocation process for $2.4M state appropriation, ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency in spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.4M for community public health programs via mandatory grant plan, directly advancing healthcare funding and services as per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6334: Expands the healthcare services provided by telehealth

This bill requires health insurers and government programs to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate and under the same conditions as in-person care, directly affecting telehealth providers and patients accessing remote healthcare. It specifically ensures mental health services delivered via telehealth (under mental hygiene law) are reimbursed at full in-person rates unless a commissioner deems them inappropriate. The bill excludes reimbursement for facility fees or clinic costs not incurred during telehealth visits, as these typically apply to in-person settings. It also notes that new telehealth service types or audio-only calls require federal funding approval. The changes expire 60 days after enactment, aligning with the original law's expiration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates government programs to reimburse telehealth at full in-person rates, increasing funding for telehealth services (a public service) and advancing government spending on essential healthcare.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal reimbursement for telehealth vs in-person care, expanding access and specifically supporting mental health services via telehealth reimbursement at full rates.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates equal reimbursement for telehealth services vs in-person care, advancing technology use in healthcare delivery and promoting digital access to medical services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6586: Requires health insurance policies and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services

Bill A 6586 requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services for individuals with serious conditions expected to last at least three months and at high risk of hospitalization, nursing home placement, or health decline. These services help connect patients to social supports like transportation, housing, food assistance, and healthcare appointments, and include referrals, enrollment help, and care coordination. Certified navigators (trained through approved programs) must provide these services under a healthcare provider's supervision. The law applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive insurance policies, ensuring coverage for high-risk patients who need help accessing care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance/Medicaid to cover patient navigation services, expanding coverage for high-risk patients and improving access to care coordination and social supports.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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