Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8801: Permits local health officials to request copies of certain reports and records

This bill (S 8801) allows local health officials to request autopsy and toxicology reports related to deaths for public health purposes. It directly affects local health officials and coroners/medical examiners, who must provide these records within strict timeframes: 3 business days for deaths within the official's district, or up to 7 days for out-of-district requests involving residents. The bill specifies that requests are valid when a death occurs within the district or when a resident had a related injury, treatment, or was found deceased in the district. Officials must maintain logs for out-of-district requests and provide written requests to the relevant health official within 3 business days. The policy change streamlines access to death-related data for public health monitoring without altering death certification processes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables public health data access for officials, strengthening disease surveillance and response efforts through mandated report sharing for public health purposes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 14, 2026

A 9549: Relates to involuntary emergency admission of persons alleged to be mentally ill

Enacts "Jesse's law" to provide that a person subject to involuntary emergency admission for immediate observation, care, and treatment of mental illness shall have the right to select the hospital they are admitted to.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGives patients right to choose mental health hospital during involuntary admission, protecting patient rights in mental healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9679: Relates to Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural home health care providers

This bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural home health care providers to cover actual transportation costs incurred while delivering services in designated rural areas. It directly affects home health agencies providing in-home care to Medicaid recipients in rural locations, requiring reimbursement to include specific costs for rural service delivery beyond standard rates. The key provision mandates the health commissioner to develop separate methodologies for calculating these rural transportation costs, distinct from direct care costs, and apply this to all covered home health services, including those under federal waivers. This change aims to address financial barriers rural providers face due to higher travel expenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural home health providers to cover transportation costs, directly funding rural healthcare access and strengthening provider support for Medicaid recipients.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly mandates reimbursement to cover actual transportation costs for rural home health services, directly funding transportation expenses incurred in service delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9583: Establishes a research grant program to fund clinical trials of ibogaine for the treatment of veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder

Establishes a research grant program to fund clinical trials of ibogaine for the treatment of veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder; creates a fund to provide monies for the research grant program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds clinical trials for mental health treatment (PTSD) via research grants, directly supporting mental health services expansion for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds clinical trials for veteran PTSD treatment via ibogaine research grant program, directly advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8716: Relates to permitting licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations

Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare access by enabling pharmacists/nurse practitioners to prescribe COVID-19 vaccines, improving patient availability and public health response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8813: Relates to cases terminated due to mental disease or defect and to establishing reporting obligations regarding such cases

This bill updates New York's legal process for cases where criminal charges are terminated due to a defendant's mental disease or defect. It requires courts to dismiss all criminal charges and arrange for discharge planning (including referrals to outpatient services when clinically appropriate) when a defendant is committed under a final order of observation. Institutions like hospitals must track and report on these referrals through biennial submissions, while the state must publish annual data online about case numbers, originating counties, inpatient care details, and referral outcomes. These changes aim to standardize post-termination care coordination and transparency without altering criminal liability for the defendant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires outpatient referrals for mental health cases, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates referrals to outpatient mental health services when clinically appropriate and requires tracking/reporting of these referrals, improving access to mental healthcare for defendants with mental health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8714: Relates to regulating the practice of naturopathic medicine

Regulates the practice of naturopathic medicine; establishes a state board for naturopathic medicine; establishes requirements to receive a limited permit in naturopathic medicine; establishes mandatory continuing education for the practice of naturopathic medicine; requires licensed naturopathic doctors to report suspected child abuse.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates naturopathic medicine with licensing, continuing education, and abuse reporting, ensuring provider standards and patient safety within healthcare services.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9630: Relates to payment for work by a personal care aide or a home health aide with temporary protected status or other visa status

Requires insurers to pay a licensed home care services agency for work provided by a personal care aide or a home health aide with temporary protected status or other visa status; requires the licensed home services agency to have made a good faith effort to establish the employment eligibility of personal care aide or a home health aide consistent with federal regulation and statutes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer payment for home health aide services, expanding coverage for essential healthcare delivery and supporting patient access to home care services.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires insurers to pay TPS/visa status aides, enabling employment access and aligning with federal eligibility standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9510: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans and the effectiveness of provisions of law relating thereto

This bill requires insurers and health care plans to follow specific rules when using virtual credit cards or fee-based digital payment methods to reimburse healthcare providers. Insurers must first notify providers of any potential fees, offer a fee-free payment alternative, and get the provider's written consent within 30 days to use the fee-based method. If a provider doesn't respond in time, insurers must default to the fee-free option. The law applies directly to insurers and healthcare providers who contract with them, ensuring transparency and preventing unexpected charges for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from imposing fees on providers without consent, ensuring fee-free payment options and protecting provider financial stability within healthcare reimbursement.85% confidence

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9648: Relates to vaccines and immunizations of children

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pediatric vaccines per medical guidelines, advancing public health standards and preventive care through established medical recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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