Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5013: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for opioid antagonists and devices

This bill requires health insurers to cover at least one opioid antagonist (like naloxone) and related devices in all prescription drug plans. It directly affects insurers, patients at risk of opioid overdose, and healthcare providers who can prescribe these medications via standing orders. The law mandates coverage without eliminating deductibles or co-insurance, which may apply as they do for other covered treatments. Naloxone is specifically named as the primary opioid antagonist to be covered, as defined by the FDA and New York’s Department of Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for naloxone, expanding access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal treatment without eliminating cost-sharing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8556: Relates to the use of an artificial intelligence, algorithm, or other software tool for the purpose of utilization review

Prescribes requirements and safeguards for the use of an artificial intelligence, algorithm, or other software tool for the purpose of utilization review for health and accident insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes safeguards for AI utilization review in health insurance, preventing improper denials and protecting patient access to care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safeguards for AI in insurance utilization review, protecting consumers from algorithmic errors and ensuring responsible tech use in healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6752: Relates to providing student onboarding and ongoing education on reproductive health services

Requires student onboarding and ongoing education on reproductive health services available to students including where the closest reproductive health clinics are located; all resources available to a student seeking reproductive health services including but not limited to financial assistance and mental health services and any reproductive health resources available to a student through the institution.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires reproductive health education resources in student onboarding, enhancing curriculum access and student support services per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates student education on reproductive health resources, including clinic locations and mental health services, improving access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6273: Establishes the New York state public health care option program; and establishes the New York state public health care option program fund

Establishes the New York state public health care option program to provide a comprehensive and affordable health care insurance option for all residents of this state; establishes the New York state public health care option program fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a dedicated state fund to finance a public health care program, directly allocating state budget resources to expand health coverage as a public service.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state public health care option to provide comprehensive, affordable insurance for all residents, directly expanding healthcare access and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 354: Expands the healthcare services provided by telehealth

This bill expands telehealth healthcare coverage by requiring insurers and government programs to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits, with specific exceptions. It ensures telehealth providers are paid equally for most services, though they won't be reimbursed for facility costs (like clinic fees) that weren't incurred during virtual visits. Mental health services delivered via telehealth - covered under specific mental hygiene laws - must receive full in-person reimbursement rates unless a commissioner deems them inappropriate. New telehealth modalities, provider types, or locations require federal funding approval. The bill aims to make telehealth financially equivalent to in-person care for most covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal reimbursement for telehealth vs in-person visits, expanding access and requiring full coverage for mental health services under mental hygiene laws.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates equal reimbursement for telehealth services, directly advancing technology-enabled healthcare access and removing financial barriers to telehealth adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 1911: Relates to notices of non-renewal provided to a health care professional by a health care plan

This bill clarifies rules for health care plans (like insurance companies and HMOs) when ending contracts with health care professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.). It requires plans to provide written reasons for termination and allow a 30-day review by a panel of three licensed peers before finalizing termination, except in cases of fraud or imminent patient harm. The bill also prohibits termination for protected actions, such as advocating for patients, filing complaints, or requesting a review. These changes apply to all health care professionals licensed in New York under current law, ensuring fairer processes for contract disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare professionals from arbitrary termination for patient advocacy, ensuring continuity of care and patient rights through mandated peer review and written justification.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects health care professionals from retaliatory termination for patient advocacy and complaint-filing, directly advancing worker rights protections in employment contexts.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7036: Authorizes real property taxing jurisdictions to grant a partial tax exemption for property purchased by a clinician in a clinician shortage area

Authorizes real property taxing jurisdictions to grant a partial tax exemption for property purchased by a clinician in a clinician shortage area, as determined by the commissioner of health, which will be such clinician's primary residence and they will practice in such shortage area; provides state aid to taxing jurisdictions which grant the exemption to the extent of the tax savings provided to clinicians.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides partial tax exemption for clinicians' primary residences in shortage areas with state aid to offset revenue loss, aligning with tax relief support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax exemption for clinicians in shortage areas improves healthcare access by incentivizing workforce presence in underserved communities. State aid ensures implementation without local budget strain.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1476: Requires certain health care providers to disclose their disciplinary status to current and new patients

This bill requires healthcare providers found guilty of serious misconduct - such as sexual abuse, drug abuse harming patients, or inappropriate prescribing resulting in harm - to provide written disclosure to current and new patients before treatment. The disclosure must detail their disciplinary status, penalties, practice restrictions, and resources for further information. Providers must obtain a signed copy of this disclosure before the first patient visit or treatment. Exceptions apply in emergencies or if a patient is incapacitated and their representative isn’t available. The law applies to probationary orders issued on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of provider misconduct to protect patient rights and informed consent before treatment, advancing transparency in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4076: Requires insurance coverage for medical genetic testing for adoptees and persons placed in foster care

This bill (S 4076) requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover comprehensive medical genetic testing for two specific groups: adoptees (as defined by New York law) and individuals who were placed in foster care. It mandates coverage for tests analyzing DNA, RNA, chromosomes, or proteins to identify inherited genetic conditions, including predispositions to diseases. Insurers may limit coverage to New York residents and apply standard deductibles or co-insurance, but must provide this testing coverage as part of hospital, surgical, or medical care plans. The law applies to individual, group, and health service corporation insurance policies issued or renewed after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for genetic testing for adoptees/foster care, expanding access to preventative healthcare services without restricting benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7239: Requires Medicare and Medicaid managed care providers to provide coverage for certain out-of-network health care

Requires Medicare and Medicaid managed care providers to provide coverage for certain out-of-network health care when the patient has a long term relationship with a medical professional who is not a recurring provider under the managed care provider's network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for out-of-network care under Medicare/Medicaid when patients have long-term provider relationships, expanding access and protecting patient continuity of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

Track