Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4524: Enacts the interstate nurse licensure compact and the advanced practice registered nurse compact

This bill establishes two compacts to simplify nursing licensure across state lines. The Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs) to practice in any participating state using a single license issued by their home state, eliminating the need for separate state licenses. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact provides similar interstate practice privileges for advanced practice nurses under uniform home-state requirements. Both compacts require nurses to meet their home state's licensure standards and create a shared system for states to exchange disciplinary information to protect public safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSimplifies nurse licensure across states, removing barriers to practice and improving patient access to healthcare services by enabling broader provider availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4062: Relates to the practice of physicians licensed in another state or territory of the United States pursuant to a reciprocal agreement

Authorizes physicians licensed in another state or territory of the United States to practice time-limited follow-up care via telehealth in NYS pursuant to a reciprocal agreement; requires annual authorization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes out-of-state physicians to provide telehealth follow-up care, improving patient access to healthcare services without restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2046: Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program

Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program to provide additional educational opportunities for students at certain universities and colleges in the state to enroll in academic programs that lead to a degree or degrees required for licensure in any of the mental health professions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mental health degree programs at universities to expand educational access and workforce preparation in higher education, directly advancing educational opportunity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health education programs to train professionals, directly supporting workforce development for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

A 7750: Requires certain health care providers to disclose the fact that the provider is on probation to current and new patients

This bill requires doctors, physician assistants, and specialist assistants who've been found guilty of specific misconduct (like sexual abuse, drug abuse harming patients, or criminal convictions involving patient harm) to provide written disclosure about their probation status before a patient's first appointment. The disclosure must include the reason for misconduct, penalties, practice restrictions, and contact details for the disciplinary office, and patients must sign a copy before treatment begins. Patients can cancel appointments without charge after receiving this notice, and providers must document the disclosure. Exceptions apply during medical emergencies or for incapacitated patients where immediate care is needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of provider misconduct to protect patient rights and safety before treatment, advancing transparency in healthcare provider qualifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5840: Relates to professional obligations under the physician loan repayment program

Relates to professional obligations under the physician loan repayment program; provides an option to practice as a physician engaged in private practice in an underserved area.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incentivizes physicians to practice in underserved areas via loan repayment, improving access to healthcare services in shortage regions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1897: Relates to including the services and care of school psychologists under Medicaid

This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by school psychologists who are certified or authorized under New York's education law. It directly affects students in public schools, as it allows school psychologists to bill Medicaid for services that were previously not covered under the program. The key provision adds school psychologists to Medicaid's covered providers, specifying that this change does not alter their existing scope of practice defined by education law. The bill requires state agencies to implement necessary rule changes before its effective date, 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid coverage to fund school psychology services, increasing government spending on essential mental health programs for students.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Medicaid coverage for school psychologists' services, enabling schools to access additional funding for student mental health support without altering existing educational scope.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include school psychologists' mental health services, improving student access to mental healthcare under public health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5955: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for acupuncture services

This bill requires most large employer-sponsored health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Specifically, it mandates that plans covering physician office services or major medical coverage must include acupuncture treatment (as defined by law) without denying coverage based on the provider's scope of practice. Plans may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles, co-pays, or benefit limits for these services. The law directly affects health insurers and employers offering large group health plans, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture services, expanding patient access without scope-based denial, directly advancing health coverage under healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer health plans to cover acupuncture, expanding employee health benefits under employment standards without restricting access, aligning with worker benefit protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6999: Enacts the "Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act"

Enacts the "Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act"; provides that for licensure as a clinical social worker, an applicant may satisfy the experience requirements under supervision of a mental health practitioner who has been granted the privilege to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans under article one hundred sixty-three of the education law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill modifies licensure requirements for mental health practitioners, enabling supervised practice to expand access to therapy services under qualified supervisors, aligning with mental health service support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 6025: Authorizes licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services

This bill allows licensed creative arts therapists (as defined under New York's Education Law Article 163) to bill Medicaid directly for their services. It amends the social services law to explicitly include these therapists in the list of providers permitted to bill Medicaid directly for covered mental health services. The change affects creative arts therapists who currently provide services within their scope of practice but may have previously needed intermediaries to access Medicaid reimbursement. The bill does not alter their scope of practice or expand covered services - it only changes the billing mechanism. This would streamline payment for these therapists while maintaining existing Medicaid coverage rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables direct Medicaid billing for creative arts therapists, expanding mental health service access without intermediaries, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1505: Enacts the interstate medical licensure compact

Enacts the interstate medical licensure compact; provides a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple participating states, thereby enhancing the portability of a medical license and ensuring the safety of patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines physician licensure across states, improving healthcare access by removing barriers to provider mobility and enhancing patient safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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