Healthcare

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

Track

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

Track

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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 30, 2026

A 10076: Relates to enhancing the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants

Enhances the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances oversight of healthcare providers through investigation/discipline, strengthening regulatory protections for patient safety and quality of care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 3, 2026

A 10083: Relates to the dispensing of certain prescriptions

Provides that mifepristone or misoprostol may be dispensed without the name and address of the dispenser and patient included on the prescription label.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy by allowing abortion medication dispensing without personal info on labels, enhancing access to reproductive healthcare services.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8680: Relates to fair pricing for telehealth services

Provides that no facility fee shall be charged for services when a hospital-based facility is a distant site for health care services delivered by telehealth unless the service is provided by a health care provider not authorized to bill a professional fee separately for the service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits facility fees for telehealth services, reducing costs and improving patient access to healthcare services, directly advancing healthcare affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Telehealth

Track

passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 8899: Relates to supervision by certain marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors

This bill amends New York's education law to clarify supervision requirements for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. It specifies that applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience (for mental health counselors) or 1,500 client contact hours (for marriage and family therapists), all under qualified supervisors. Supervisors must hold at least 3 years of licensure, have diagnostic privileges, and complete 36 hours of continuing education in supervision ethics. The bill also allows the department to accept supervised experience obtained in waiver-exempt settings or under good-faith belief of proper authorization. These changes directly affect therapists seeking licensure and those providing supervision in mental health practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies supervision standards for mental health counselors, ensuring qualified practitioners through defined experience hours and supervisor requirements, strengthening professional standards in mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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