Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1356: Prohibits state-operated hospitals from suing patients for medical debt

This bill prohibits state-operated hospitals, university health care facilities, and cancer institutes from suing patients to collect unpaid medical bills. It directly affects patients who owe money for care at these state-run facilities, preventing hospitals from using court action to recover debts. The bill defines "medical debt" as any obligation for health care services, products, or devices provided by licensed hospitals, health professionals, or ambulance services. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits state hospitals from suing patients for medical debt, protecting patient rights and improving access to care by preventing legal action over unpaid bills.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 20, 2026

S 6650: Relates to value-based care for maternity coverage

Requires contracts for insurance and medical assistance to provide value-based care for maternity coverage; defines value-based care as an arrangement that financially rewards certain positive outcomes and financially penalizes certain negative outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates value-based maternity coverage requiring positive outcome incentives, aligning with improving care quality and patient outcomes per healthcare support indicators.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates value-based maternity coverage in insurance contracts, expanding worker benefits and improving healthcare access for employees during maternity, aligning with employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7155: Provides for health insurance coverage for nutritional care provided through licensed nutritionists

This bill would require health insurance plans to cover nutritional care provided by licensed nutritionists. Currently, insurance typically covers services from doctors or other medical professionals, but this amendment would explicitly add licensed nutritionists to the list of covered providers under state insurance law. The change would apply to all health insurance plans subject to the state's insurance regulations. It directly affects insurance companies (requiring them to provide this coverage) and patients seeking nutritional counseling from qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for licensed nutritionist services, expanding health coverage and improving patient access to nutritional care under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 396: Relates to investigating critical prescription drug pricing

Requires investigating of critical prescription drug pricing; provides for civil penalties and private actions for certain critical prescription drug pricing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareInvestigates critical drug pricing to address high costs, improving patient access to medications - a core healthcare access issue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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died · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 3100: Provides for coverage for the treatment of asthma

This bill (S 3100) requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for asthma equipment like rescue inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers, plus school equipment for children under 19. The bill also requires coverage for certified asthma self-management education - teaching patients about proper device use, environmental triggers, and treatment - limited to medically necessary visits after diagnosis or symptom changes. Insurance plans may still apply standard deductibles/coinsurance for these benefits. The policy directly affects New Yorkers with asthma and their families, ensuring access to essential equipment and education through their insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for asthma treatments, equipment, and education, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2650: 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 painkiller for each active ingredient, ensuring patients can access these FDA-approved options without higher out-of-pocket costs. It prohibits insurers from forcing patients to try non-abuse-deterrent opioids first for prior authorization or coverage approval. The law mandates that cost-sharing (like copays) for abuse-deterrent opioids must match the lowest level applied to non-abuse-deterrent versions. It directly affects patients prescribed opioid painkillers and insurance plans, aiming to improve access to formulations designed to reduce misuse.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance coverage for abuse-deterrent opioids without higher costs, improving patient access to safer pain management options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5249: Relates to Medicaid eligibility for striking workers

This bill (S 5249) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, ensuring they maintain health coverage during the strike period. It directly affects striking employees who would otherwise lose Medicaid due to employment status, without requiring them to reapply. Key provisions include limiting coverage strictly to the duration of the strike, prohibiting the consideration of personal resources (like savings) when determining eligibility, and allowing temporary "presumptive eligibility" through health department processes. The bill requires the Health Commissioner to create implementing regulations for eligibility rules and covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically maintains Medicaid for striking workers, preventing coverage loss during labor disputes and expanding access without reapplication or resource assessment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically maintains Medicaid for striking workers, protecting health coverage during labor disputes without requiring reapplication or considering personal resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1360: Expands health care plan contract coverage for any health care provider for one hundred twenty days after the termination of such contract

This bill requires health insurance plans to continue covering services from providers for 120 days after a contract ends, maintaining reimbursement terms during this period. It directly affects health plans, providers, and enrollees by ensuring uninterrupted access to care during the transition. Key provisions include mandating notice to affected enrollees within 15 days of the 120-day period starting, and allowing the commissioner to waive the period if termination is for cause. Exceptions include mutual written agreements between parties with 30 days' notice to enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 120-day continued coverage post-contract termination, preventing care access gaps and maintaining reimbursement terms for providers and enrollees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 135: Provides practical support for access to abortion care

Provides practical support for access to abortion care including, but not limited to, reimbursement for ground and air transportation, lodging, meals, childcare, translation services, and doula support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for reimbursement of abortion care expenses, directly funding essential services through government spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reimburses transportation, lodging, and childcare for abortion care access, directly improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5361: Provides for a minimum reimbursement rate for ambulatory behavioral health services

This bill (S 5361) requires health insurers in New York to reimburse licensed behavioral health providers (under public health or mental hygiene laws) for ambulatory behavioral health services at a minimum rate equivalent to what the state's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) pays for similar services. It applies to all health insurance policies covering medical, major medical, or comprehensive coverage, including group plans and health maintenance organizations. Insurers may negotiate higher rates with providers but cannot pay less than the Medicaid-equivalent rate established under the Ambulatory Patient Group (APG) methodology. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, for all new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to reimburse behavioral health providers at Medicaid rates, improving access to mental health services and strengthening coverage under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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