Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 556: Requires coverage under medicaid and health insurance plans for treatment for smoking cessation

Requires that medicaid and health insurance plans provide coverage for costs of prescription smoking cessation treatment that is ordered by a physician; establishes a coverage limit for each covered individual.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/insurance coverage for physician-prescribed smoking cessation treatment, expanding preventive healthcare access and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 1912: Relates to medical assistance coverage for medically tailored meals

This bill requires state medical assistance programs to cover medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy for people with chronic conditions. It directly affects individuals with limited daily living abilities who need specialized nutrition to manage illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, as ordered by healthcare providers. The law mandates coverage for nutritional assessments, counseling, and prescribed meals provided by certified dietitians or nutritionists. Implementation requires the health commissioner to adopt regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment, with federal funding participation required for these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state medical assistance funding for medically tailored meals, increasing public healthcare spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state medical assistance programs to cover medically tailored meals and therapy for chronic conditions, expanding health coverage and improving patient access to specialized nutrition services.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 5565: Requires health insurance policies and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services

Bill S 5565 requires health insurance policies, including comprehensive-type coverage, and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services. This coverage is for individuals facing serious health conditions expected to last at least three months, who are at high risk for outcomes like hospitalization or physical decline. Patient navigation services include screening for nonclinical needs such as transportation or housing, connecting individuals to support services, and assisting with healthcare appointments. Reimbursement is provided to trained and certified patient navigators who work under the general supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance/Medicaid coverage for patient navigation services addressing nonclinical barriers, expanding access for high-risk patients and strengthening care coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5889: Relates to enacting the worker healthcare protection act

Relates to enacting the worker healthcare protection act, for New Yorkers who lose health care coverage from an employer or a joint labor management trust as a result of an active strike, lockout, or other labor dispute.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects workers' healthcare coverage during labor disputes, preventing loss of insurance access and aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects healthcare coverage for workers during strikes/lockouts, strengthening benefits during labor disputes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2156: Relates to medical assistance for patients for infertility treatment

This bill would require New York's Medicaid program to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and specific monitoring services for women seeking infertility treatment. It mandates coverage for the drugs themselves, office visits, hysterosalpingograms, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood tests necessary to monitor the treatment. If federal funding for these services falls below 90%, the state must use its own funds to create a grant program to maintain coverage. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible women undergoing infertility treatment by expanding their covered services to include these specific treatments and monitoring procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include infertility treatments like ovulation drugs and monitoring services, directly increasing access to healthcare services for Medicaid-eligible patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7339: Requires certain insurance policies to provide coverage for fertility preservation services

This bill (A 7339) requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover fertility preservation services when a medical treatment (like cancer therapy) may cause infertility. It directly affects insured individuals undergoing treatments that risk reproductive health, such as chemotherapy or surgery. Key provisions mandate coverage for standard fertility preservation (e.g., egg or sperm freezing) with possible deductibles, while prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based on health conditions like anticipated infertility or personal characteristics (age, gender identity, sexual orientation). The law applies to comprehensive medical insurance policies and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation during cancer treatment, expanding patient access to reproductive health services and prohibiting coverage denial based on health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 22, 2025

S 2704: Requires insurance coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted diseases

This bill (S 2704) requires health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved home test kits for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), including HIV. It applies to all medical, hospital, and surgical insurance policies, directly affecting insurers and policyholders who use these self-collection kits. The law defines covered kits as those recommended by the CDC or U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, cleared by the FDA, or developed under strict quality standards for remote STI testing. This mandate takes effect 90 days after enactment for new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for FDA-approved STI home test kits, expanding preventive care access and aligning with CDC/USPSTF guidelines.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2449: 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 HealthcareRequires Medicare/Medicaid managed care to cover out-of-network care for patients with long-term provider relationships, expanding access and protecting patient continuity of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2730: Requires mandatory health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices

Requires mandatory health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices; requires coverage where the model is determined to be medically necessary for rehabilitative and habilitative purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary prosthetics, expanding patient access to essential medical devices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 359: Prohibits state-operated hospitals from suing patients for medical debt

This bill prohibits state-operated hospitals - including university health centers, cancer institutes, and certain public hospitals - from taking patients to court to collect unpaid medical bills. It defines "medical debt" as any unpaid charge for health care services, products, or devices provided by these facilities. The law prevents hospitals from using court action to recover such debts, directly protecting patients who owe medical bills to these specific state-run institutions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits state hospitals from suing patients for medical debt, protecting patient rights and improving access to care by preventing financial penalties for unpaid bills.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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