Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1958: Relates to the authority of a hospice medical director to sign a death certificate

This bill allows hospice medical directors (or physicians they designate) to sign death certificates for patients under their care, instead of requiring the last attending physician. It directly affects hospice providers and medical staff by clarifying who can legally certify a patient's death in hospice settings. The key change amends Public Health Law to explicitly include hospice medical directors in the list of authorized signers, alongside physicians or nurse practitioners. This updates existing law to reflect current hospice care practices without altering patient rights or healthcare access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies hospice medical directors' authority to sign death certificates, streamlining hospice care operations without unnecessary barriers in healthcare delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7414: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill (A 7414) prohibits detention facilities in New York from placing children in "segregated confinement" for more than 17 hours a day. It defines segregated confinement as cell confinement exceeding 17 hours daily, excluding facility-wide emergencies or medical/mental health treatment. The law applies to all detention facilities holding children under the Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law. Exceptions allow room confinement authorized by regulations when a child poses an immediate danger to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts youth solitary confinement in detention, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect child detainees' rights and reduce harmful practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prolonged segregated confinement (harmful to mental health) and explicitly allows exceptions for mental health treatment, protecting children's mental well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 2520: Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers

Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers at no less than one hundred percent of the medical assistance durable medical equipment and complex rehabilitation technology fee schedule for the same service or item.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid managed care to fully reimburse durable medical equipment providers, ensuring continued patient access to necessary medical devices and strengthening coverage parity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 2625: Relates to enhancing patient access to medication assisted treatment for treatment of opioid disease

Allows a licensed pharmacist to prescribe and order FDA-approved medication assisted therapy under a non-patient-specific regimen for the treatment of opioid use disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands patient access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing pharmacists to prescribe, directly improving healthcare access for substance use disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6284: Relates to prohibiting assisted living residences, retirement homes or nursing homes from closing and becoming migrant shelters

This bill, known as the "Frank Tammaro Island Shores law," aims to prevent assisted living residences, retirement homes, and nursing homes from closing and subsequently operating as shelters for asylum seekers. It prohibits state agencies from granting approval or entering into contracts for facilities housing asylum seekers with operators who have announced their intent to close their existing long-term care residence. The bill defines an "asylum seeker" as an individual seeking temporary or permanent residence who has applied for asylum or is eligible, or is a refugee. This measure directly affects operators of these long-term care facilities and the process for establishing housing for asylum seekers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents closure of nursing homes/assisted living facilities (healthcare infrastructure) to maintain care services, protecting existing healthcare access points.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationPrevents long-term care facilities from converting to migrant shelters, restricting asylum seeker housing access and limiting immigrant services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5863: Relates to providing free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers

Establishes a statewide program to provide free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition funding for higher education access, directly supporting educational opportunity for specific public service volunteers through state college programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds education for emergency medical services providers (EMTs), strengthening healthcare workforce development and access to emergency care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1635: Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any cosmetic product or personal care product containing PFAS substances

This bill prohibits the sale or offer for sale of cosmetic and personal care products (like lotions, makeup, or shampoos) containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers by banning the use of these substances in such products. The law defines PFAS as fluorinated chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The prohibition will take effect on June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals in cosmetics, reducing environmental pollution from persistent toxic substances that contaminate water and soil.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS in cosmetics/personal care products to prevent health risks (cancer, immune issues), directly protecting public health under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 14, 2025

A 924: Relates to the effectiveness of certain provisions relating to the application for the Medicare savings program

This bill extends the effective date for certain application provisions related to New York's Medicare Savings Program to April 1, 2026. It directly affects low-income seniors and individuals applying for Medicare Savings benefits, which help cover Medicare costs like premiums and deductibles. The key mechanism is amending the effective date in the law to delay implementation until April 2026, while other immediate provisions take effect right away. The bill was signed into law on February 14, 2025, as Chapter 32.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicare Savings Program application deadline to 2026, ensuring continued access to cost assistance for low-income seniors and maintaining coverage for premiums/deductibles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5223: Establishes a special needs assisted living program to serve persons with neurodegenerative diseases

Establishes a special needs assisted living program to serve residents of certified assisted living residences with neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia or Parkinson's disease, who are experiencing behavior disturbances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates specialized assisted living program for neurodegenerative disease patients, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2025

A 5432: Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder

Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder during certain emergency medical treatment, for use in maintenance or detoxification treatment, or to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables dispensing controlled substances for substance use disorder treatment, improving patient access to medical care during emergencies and detoxification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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