Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5773: Authorizes licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services

This bill amends New York's Social Services Law to allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services, rather than requiring them to work through another provider. It specifically adds creative arts therapists to the list of mental health professionals (including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists) already permitted to bill Medicaid for covered services within their scope of practice. The change applies only to services Medicaid already covers, and does not alter the therapists' existing scope of practice. The bill was referred to the Health committee on February 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid billing access for creative arts therapists (mental health professionals), improving patient access to covered services within their scope of practice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3185: Requires a school nurse to be on the premises during school hours in any school having an enrollment of 100 pupils or more

This bill requires all public schools with 100 or more enrolled students to have a registered professional nurse physically present on-site during all school hours. It amends education law to mandate that school boards ensure this nurse is available to assist with student health needs, including emergencies and health instruction. The requirement directly affects schools meeting the enrollment threshold, ensuring consistent health support for students during school days.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school nurses for health support, directly enhancing student safety and access to care during school hours, aligning with education health program strengthening.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school nurses on-site for student health needs during school hours, improving access to health services in schools per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 4706: Relates to modernizing the chiropractic scope of practice; repealer

This New York bill (A 4706) modernizes chiropractic practice by expanding what licensed chiropractors can legally do. It specifically allows chiropractors to perform diagnostic clinical lab tests related to neuromuscular health, provide nutritional counseling, and dispense approved supplements like vitamins and minerals - activities previously restricted. The bill also clarifies that chiropractors may use X-rays, physical therapies, and certain non-invasive treatments while maintaining clear limits: they cannot prescribe drugs, treat infectious diseases, perform surgery, or use ionizing radiation beyond diagnostic X-rays. This directly affects licensed chiropractors and their patients in New York, updating their scope to include modern wellness and diagnostic practices within existing legal boundaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands chiropractor scope to include diagnostic tests, nutrition counseling, and supplements, enhancing patient access to neuromuscular health services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5553: Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program

Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program for advanced degrees in nursing; provides such incentives shall be awarded annually, on a competitive basis, to registered professional nurses and certified nurse practitioners who are in a masters or doctoral program and agree to teach nursing for one year for each year such incentive is awarded.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides funding incentives for nursing faculty to teach, strengthening higher education staffing and program capacity in healthcare education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing faculty education to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly supporting medical professional training and patient access through scholarship incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2452: Relates to authorizing certain health care professionals licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to practice in this state

This bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states (including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and midwives) to provide reproductive health services in this state without first obtaining a local license. To qualify, they must apply for a license, submit a letter of intent to provide such services, and provide an employer/health care entity letter confirming employment or a contract for reproductive health services at a specific location and start date. They may continue practicing under this provision until their license application is approved or denied, while still complying with all applicable licensing rules and practicing within their scope of expertise. The provision does not apply to professionals from states or territories deemed to have substandard licensing standards by the commissioner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for out-of-state reproductive health providers, improving patient access to care without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7370: Authorizes medical assistants to administer vaccinations

Authorizes physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to delegate the task of administering vaccinations to medical assistants provided that such vaccinations are recommended and such medical assistants receive proper training and adequate supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes medical assistants to administer vaccinations under supervision, expanding healthcare access and workforce capacity for public health programs without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9260: 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 permitting pharmacists/nurse practitioners to prescribe COVID-19 vaccines, improving patient access to immunizations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 3826: Relates to the administration of certain immunizations by a pharmacist or a certified nurse practitioner

This bill (S 3826) expands the authority of pharmacists and certified nurse practitioners in New York to administer certain vaccines, including the mpox vaccine. It allows them to provide immunizations for diseases like mpox, flu, COVID-19, and others to patients 18 years or older under specific conditions, such as public health needs or lack of vaccination documentation. Pharmacists must follow physician or nurse practitioner orders and adhere to safety standards set by health officials, with age restrictions applying (e.g., flu vaccines for patients 2+ years old). The bill does not permit unlicensed individuals to administer vaccines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist/nurse practitioner authority to administer vaccines (mpox, flu, COVID-19), improving patient access to immunizations under public health needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1963: Provides for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; requires health insurance coverage for universal newborn nurse home visiting services

Provides for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; requires health insurance coverage for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; authorizes the department of health to apply for certain waivers; directs the superintendent of financial services to require an insurer, health carrier or health benefit plan to notify enrollees annually of universal newborn nurse home visiting services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for newborn nurse home visiting services, expanding access to preventive care and aligning with healthcare funding/coverage indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3601: Relates to the certification of dietitians and nutritionists

S 3601 allows certified dietitians and nutritionists to order therapeutic diets - including specialized nutrition support like tube feeding - in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The bill expands their scope of practice to include prescribing, managing, and monitoring these diets, removing prior requirements for physician orders. Facility medical directors or governing bodies must confirm the professional’s competency before they can provide these services. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dietitians' scope to order therapeutic diets without physician orders, improving patient access to nutrition services in healthcare facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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