Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 10, 2026

A 8055: Relates to outpatient mental health, substance use disorder, residential and rehabilitation services and Medicaid fee-for-service

Bill A 8055 proposes to change how outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services are administered under Medicaid. It shifts these services, along with comprehensive Medicaid case management, from a managed care model back to a fee-for-service system. This change, subject to federal approval, directly affects individuals with mental illness or substance use disorder who rely on these services and the licensed facilities that provide them. The bill also requires that any savings generated by this transition be reinvested into community-based behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill shifts Medicaid mental health/substance use services to fee-for-service model, enhancing provider access and continuity of care for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6474: Requires the distribution of an information card or sheet with Schedule II opioids

This bill requires healthcare providers distributing Schedule II opioids (like oxycodone or fentanyl) to include an informational card and fentanyl test strips with each prescription. The card must explain overdose symptoms, steps to take after using an opioid antagonist (including calling emergency services), addiction support resources, safe disposal methods, and how to access the state's addiction support hotline and website. It also mandates that materials be available in languages other than English as needed. This applies directly to pharmacies, hospitals, and medical programs distributing these high-risk medications, aiming to improve patient safety and overdose response.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates overdose education, addiction resources, and safe disposal info to enhance patient safety and access to care for opioid prescriptions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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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 4997: Prohibits nursing homes and care facilities from denying admission to individuals receiving a controlled substance medication for a substance use disorder

Prohibits nursing homes and care facilities that are registered with the state of New York and registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, that maintains a stock of, and directly dispenses, controlled substance medications from denying admission to individuals receiving a controlled substance medication for a substance use disorder.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures access to substance use disorder treatment in care facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits denial of nursing home admission for substance use disorder patients receiving medication, improving patient access and protecting rights in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 101: Requires health care professionals to inquire about the opioid history of certain patients

Requires that where a health care professional or professionals require the completion of an allergy checklist or form by the patient, prior to receiving care by such professional or professionals, the checklist or form shall also inquire about the opioid history of such patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires opioid history inquiry during patient intake to enhance safety and prevent adverse events in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4693: Requires health insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment services

This bill (A 4693) requires health insurers to provide minimum coverage periods for substance use disorder treatment. It mandates at least seven days of detoxification coverage and thirty days of rehabilitation services under all applicable insurance plans. The law amends specific sections of the insurance code to enforce these minimums, directly affecting health insurers and their policyholders seeking addiction treatment. The bill sets concrete coverage standards without altering broader insurance benefits or costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to rehabilitation - a key criminal justice reform component to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates minimum coverage periods for substance use disorder treatment, expanding access to addiction care under insurance plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7050: Establishes a co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights

This bill establishes a "co-occurring disorders patient bill of rights" requiring state agencies (including mental health, social services, corrections, and education departments) to implement 11 specific rights for individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. It directly affects patients and families by guaranteeing nondiscrimination, accurate diagnosis, integrated treatment matched to needs, continuity of care, family involvement, prevention access, peer support, and safe housing. Key mechanisms include mandating evidence-based services, requiring providers to be adequately resourced, and ensuring transparency through consumer input. The bill applies across all treatment settings - hospitals, schools, community programs - and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly requires corrections departments to implement integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, promoting rehabilitation and rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 11 patient rights for co-occurring disorders, directly protecting patients and supporting integrated mental health/substance use services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1080: Relates to hospitalization, care coordination, and assisted outpatient treatment for persons with mental illness

S 1080, the "Supportive Interventions Act," updates New York's mental health laws to improve outpatient treatment access for people with severe mental illness who may not recognize their need for care. It revises definitions of "likely to result in serious harm" to explicitly include risks like untreated psychosis, self-neglect, and psychiatric deterioration - expanding beyond current narrow interpretations. The bill requires clinicians to assess whether a person could adhere to outpatient treatment and consider long-term health impacts before recommending involuntary hospitalization. This aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, support community integration, and strengthen the existing Kendra's Law assisted outpatient treatment program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands outpatient mental health access by broadening criteria for assisted treatment, improving patient access to care under mental health services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6937: Limits the substitution of abuse-deterrent analgesic opioid drug products for analgesic opioids lacking such technology

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover at least one abuse-deterrent opioid pain medication for each active ingredient used to treat pain. It ensures patients pay no more for these abuse-deterrent options than for non-abuse-deterrent opioids (e.g., same copay level), and prohibits insurers from increasing patient costs or creating barriers to access these medications. The law also prevents prior authorization rules from forcing patients to try non-abuse-deterrent opioids first to get access to abuse-deterrent versions. It directly affects patients prescribed opioid pain medications and all health insurance plans operating in New York. The policy aims to improve access to medications designed to reduce opioid misuse without increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for abuse-deterrent opioids at same cost as non-abuse-deterrent options, improving patient access to safer pain management without financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1277: Provides for loan forgiveness for mental health nurses

This bill creates a New York State program to forgive student loans for mental health nurses who commit to working in underserved areas. It directly affects nurses who graduated from approved New York colleges, have outstanding student debt, and work as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists in state-licensed mental health settings. To qualify, applicants must commit to practicing for the award duration in a Health Resources and Services Administration-defined "rural" area or in state psychiatric hospitals, addiction centers, behavioral health clinics, or county mental health programs. Eligibility is competitive, with priority for economically disadvantaged applicants, and funding is limited to available appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates loan forgiveness program for mental health nurses in underserved areas, directly expanding access to mental health services and incentivizing workforce development in this critical healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

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