Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 868: Requires certain health insurance policies to include coverage for the cost of certain infant and baby formulas

Bill S 868 requires most health insurance plans covering prescription drugs to include coverage for medically necessary infant and baby formulas. It directly affects insured individuals with specific medical conditions like metabolic disorders, severe allergies, Crohn's disease, or gastrointestinal motility issues, as determined by a physician's written order. The bill mandates that coverage must be provided for formulas proven effective for these conditions (including amino acid-based or modified solid foods), with a minimum annual coverage of $3,000 per person. It distinguishes required medical formulas from elective nutritional supplements and applies to policies already covering prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary infant formulas, expanding access for patients with specific conditions like metabolic disorders and allergies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Prescription Drugs

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1063: Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals

Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals, including two hours of course work or training encompassing minority healthcare issues; provides an exemption for certain individuals; requires hospitals and facilities to request documentation of the completion of training from employees and prospective employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cultural competence training for medical professionals to address minority healthcare disparities, improving care quality and access per bill's focus on minority healthcare issues.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4536: Relates to requiring immunization information systems to record data on the number of vaccine exemptions reported by each health care provider

This bill requires health care providers to report the number of vaccine exemptions they grant for children to the state's immunization tracking system. It directly affects health care providers who issue exemptions from required childhood vaccines. The key provision mandates that this exemption data be entered into New York's statewide immunization information system and NYC's citywide registry, allowing officials to search and access exemption counts per provider. This creates a standardized way to track exemption rates across different health care settings. The policy change focuses on improving data collection for public health monitoring, not on altering exemption eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates vaccine exemption tracking to improve public health oversight and identify coverage gaps, strengthening immunization program effectiveness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1657: Relates to requiring health insurers to offer coverage of health care provided by out-of-network providers

This bill requires health insurers to offer out-of-network coverage as an optional add-on to policies and provide at least one standard plan that includes this coverage. It directly affects health insurers and their policyholders by expanding access to care from doctors or facilities outside an insurer's approved network. Key provisions mandate that insurers make these options available both inside and outside the state's health insurance marketplace. The law applies to all new health insurance policies issued after its effective date, ensuring coverage choices for consumers seeking out-of-network care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to offer out-of-network coverage as a standard plan option, expanding patient access to care outside provider networks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 520: Ensures ovarian cancer survivors have the right to access screenings for health conditions

This bill guarantees ovarian cancer survivors can access necessary genetic testing without insurance restrictions. It requires coverage for specific tests including BRCA1/BRCA2 gene analysis, Lynch syndrome screening, and other mutation tests as determined by a doctor. Insurers cannot impose frequency limits or deny these tests based on a patient’s cancer history. The law directly affects survivors needing ongoing monitoring for inherited cancer risks, ensuring they receive medically appropriate genetic screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for genetic testing without restrictions, expanding access to critical screenings for ovarian cancer survivors, directly strengthening patient rights and coverage.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2170: Repeals the state Medicaid spending cap and related processes; repealer

This bill repeals a 2011 law that imposed a spending cap on the state's Medicaid program, specifically removing Sections 91 and 92 of Chapter 59. It directly affects how the state Department of Health manages Medicaid funding by eliminating the annual growth limit on state funds for Medicaid. The key mechanism is the complete removal of these specific legal provisions, allowing Medicaid spending to increase without the previous restriction. This change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals Medicaid spending cap, enabling increased state funding for essential healthcare program without annual restrictions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals Medicaid spending cap, removing restrictions on state funding for Medicaid programs, directly increasing flexibility for healthcare funding and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6675: Requires insurance coverage for the cost of donated breast milk

This bill requires health insurance policies covering prescription drugs to also cover the cost of donated breast milk. It directly affects individuals, particularly mothers and infants in medical settings (like NICUs), who rely on donated breast milk but previously faced coverage gaps. The law amends specific sections of the insurance code to mandate this coverage inclusion in all relevant policies, effective immediately. The change applies to standard prescription drug coverage, not separate health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for donated breast milk, expanding access to critical healthcare for infants and mothers in medical settings like NICUs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1773: Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings

Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings; authorizes the comptroller to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state contractors provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, expanding coverage and improving access to preventive care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires contractors to provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, enhancing worker benefits and employment standards as a condition for state contracts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 12, 2025

S 813: Relates to maternal health care and birthing best practices; repealer

Requires the department of health to evaluate and make recommendations related to maternal health care and birthing best practices; repeals certain provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health department evaluation of maternal care practices to improve standards, advancing healthcare quality and patient access in a specific healthcare subtopic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3146: Relates to authorizing certain health care professionals licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to practice in this state

This bill allows healthcare professionals licensed in other states (including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and midwives) to provide reproductive health services in this state without first obtaining a local license. It requires applicants to submit a letter of intent, employer verification, and start date/location details while applying for licensure. Providers must maintain good standing in their home state and comply with all applicable regulations during the temporary practice period. The provision does not apply to professionals from states with licensing standards deemed substandard by the commissioner. This law directly affects reproductive health providers seeking to serve patients across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for out-of-state healthcare providers, expanding access to reproductive health services without requiring additional state licensure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Women's Health

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