Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3488: Requires notification to insureds that an out-of-network physician may be used in their procedure, test or surgery

Requires notification to insureds that an out-of-network physician may be used in their procedure, test or surgery and such physician's services shall not be covered by their insurance policy; provides such services must be covered if the insured person does not receive notification prior to such services or procedure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer notification for out-of-network care; requires coverage if not notified, protecting patient rights and access to care.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4547: Relates to judicial diversion programs; repealer

S 4547 establishes a dedicated "diversion part" in every county court to handle judicial diversion cases for eligible defendants. It directly affects individuals charged with specific class B, C, D, or E felonies (excluding certain serious offenses like class A felonies) who have a qualifying mental health or substance use diagnosis. The bill requires a clinical evaluation by licensed professionals to determine if diversion is appropriate, including recommendations for evidence-based treatment (like counseling or medication) instead of incarceration. It repeals outdated provisions about alcohol/substance use evaluations and clarifies eligibility criteria for this program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates judicial diversion programs requiring clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment for eligible defendants, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration for mental health/substance use cases.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment referrals for mental health/substance use cases in judicial diversion, directly advancing access to mental health services through the court system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7954: Relates to licensure requirements for fiscal intermediaries; repealer

Senate Bill S 7954 amends the requirements for organizations providing fiscal intermediary services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It expands the definition of "fiscal intermediary" to include more entities, such as certain service centers for independent living, granting them equal status to the statewide fiscal intermediary. These newly defined fiscal intermediaries can contract directly with managed care plans and must provide culturally and linguistically competent services. The bill also removes the specific procurement process for a single statewide fiscal intermediary, aiming to offer consumers more choice in these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands fiscal intermediary access in CDPAP, enabling more entities to contract with managed care plans and improve culturally competent patient access to personal assistance services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 5709: Establishes a work group to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice

Establishes a 14 member doula Medicaid reimbursement work group within the department of health to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice; requires the work group to conduct a study and evaluate the costs, benefits and issues that may be associated with Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and for providing doula care to Medicaid recipients; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid reimbursement for doulas, expanding maternal health access and coverage under public health programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes Medicaid reimbursement framework for doulas, directly funding their services and supporting employment income for healthcare workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8686: Authorizes the department of health to designate a level one or level two trauma center in Far Rockaway, county of Queens

This bill authorizes New York's Department of Health to designate a level one or level two trauma center in Far Rockaway, Queens, if the facility meets health department standards. It specifically allows the center to operate without requiring a hospital component and exempts it from conflicting requirements of the American College of Surgeons. The designation would establish a new trauma care option in the Far Rockaway community. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes new trauma center designation, improving emergency care access in Far Rockaway, aligning with healthcare access expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6528: Relates to the prohibition of the sale of infant inclined sleepers and the restriction of the use of such inclined sleepers in certain settings

New York's S 6528 bans the sale of infant inclined sleepers (products designed for babies up to 5 months old or when rolling/pulling up begins) to manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and secondhand dealers. It also prohibits child care facilities from using these sleepers unless a medical professional determines it is medically necessary for a specific child. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $500 per sale. The law applies statewide and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits sale/use of infant sleepers to prevent injury, aligning with public health safety protections under healthcare topic.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3525: Relates to state aid for emergency medical services

This bill would amend New York's General Municipal Law to classify emergency medical services (EMS) as "essential services" for the purpose of receiving state aid. Currently, state aid eligibility for essential services applies to certain providers, but EMS was not included in this category. The change would allow EMS organizations - such as ambulance services and paramedic providers - to apply for and receive state financial assistance under the same criteria as other essential services. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClassifies EMS as essential services to qualify for state aid, expanding funding for emergency medical services under healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7662: Requires reporting of positive cytomegalovirus results

This bill requires local health departments to report positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) test results in newborns. Upon notification of a positive result, the health department must contact the newborn's pediatrician and parents. If the initial positive is from a saliva test, a confirmatory urine test is mandated for newborns up to three weeks old. If confirmed positive, parents must be referred to a pediatric infectious disease specialist for a comprehensive examination, including specific medical evaluations, before the newborn reaches four weeks of age, with the health department ensuring this referral is completed. Additionally, cytomegalovirus will be added to the list of designated communicable diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting and specialist referrals for newborn CMV cases, enhancing early intervention and public health response in pediatric care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7983: Enacts the "McDow Watson medical transparency in correctional facilities act"

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; establishes an independent medical oversight body to monitor and evaluate the quality of medical care provided to incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities and to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for adequate medical care; provides penalties for certain violations; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents, response times, and correctional facility compliance with certain requirements, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes independent medical oversight in correctional facilities, enhancing transparency and rights for incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access medical records and establishes oversight, enhancing healthcare transparency and patient rights within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1664: Relates to dysmenorrhea and use of sick leave

This New York state bill (A 1664) allows employees to use their existing accrued sick leave for painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). It directly affects all employees covered by sick leave policies under New York's labor law, including those working for state agencies, local governments, schools, and private employers. The bill permits using sick leave in full or partial days for this condition, clarifying that it does not create new paid leave but uses existing sick leave benefits (excluding workers' comp or insurance). It explicitly protects existing collective bargaining agreements and takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows sick leave use for dysmenorrhea, expanding access to healthcare benefits for employees with medical conditions under existing sick leave policies.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands sick leave usage for dysmenorrhea, protecting workers' health rights without new costs, strengthening existing labor protections under NY law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

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