Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6687: Relates to witnesses to a health care proxy and the crime of forgery in the second degree

Relates to witnesses to a health care proxy; changes the witness requirement for the health care proxy from two adult witnesses to one adult witness; makes an exception for persons who reside in mental health facilities by requiring such persons to have two adult witnesses; includes falsely making or altering a health care proxy within the crime of forgery in the second degree.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSimplifies health care proxy creation (1 witness vs 2), facilitating patient decision-making rights; includes forgery protection to prevent fraud in proxy documents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5385: Enacts the mental health shelter placement accuracy and support act

Authorizes information in OMH's PSYCKES database and similar mental health databases to be disclosed to certain personnel engaged in shelter placement and support services; directs OTDA to establish certain protocols and to facilitate implementation of such provisions; directs OTDA and OMH to establish an oversight committee for such provisions; directs an annual report to be submitted by OTDA and OMH; directs OMH and OTDA to conduct a review of the effectiveness of such provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes mental health data sharing for shelter placement, establishes oversight protocols to improve service effectiveness and coordination in mental health care.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness through improved shelter placement protocols for mental health services, aligning with housing topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 14, 2026

A 1069: Relates to the functions of the Medicaid inspector general with respect to audit and review of medical assistance program funds

This bill sets new rules for New York's Medicaid inspector general when auditing healthcare providers' billing for medical assistance payments. It defines key terms like "overpayment" and "clerical error," requires auditors to follow specific standards, and limits how they can spread audit findings to all claims (extrapolation) for minor, isolated errors. Providers must receive detailed audit reports explaining findings and have the right to submit supporting documentation before final decisions. The bill also mandates annual reporting on audit activities to state officials, including how many audits used extrapolation and their financial impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents Medicaid overpayments via audit standards, promoting fiscal responsibility in state fund management.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures fair Medicaid provider audits by limiting extrapolation of minor errors and granting due process, protecting provider participation in healthcare programs and supporting system integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Medicaid

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4589: Increases the total awards of the Senator Patricia K. McGee nursing faculty scholarship program

Increases the total awards of the Senator Patricia K. McGee nursing faculty scholarship program by covering the total cost of a recipient's academic program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases funding for nursing faculty scholarship program, directly advancing higher education support through expanded financial aid for educators.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education to expand healthcare workforce, directly strengthening healthcare services through workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 273: Prohibits the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes lacking federal food and drug administration premarket order of approval

Prohibits the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes lacking federal food and drug administration premarket order of approval; imposes penalties of not less than ten thousand dollars for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates e-cigarettes via FDA approval to protect public health, aligning with healthcare safety standards and preventing unregulated products from harming consumers.90% confidence

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4775: Establishes the class B felony of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center

Bill A 4775 establishes a new Class B felony called "criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center." This bill makes it a more serious offense for individuals who knowingly and unlawfully sell controlled substances within or near facilities providing chemical dependence services or methadone clinics. The "grounds" are defined to include the treatment center's property and public areas, such as sidewalks, streets, and parking lots, within 1,000 feet of the facility. A person is presumed to have knowledge of being near such a center if proper notice is visibly posted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates a Class B felony for drug sales near treatment centers, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects drug treatment centers from drug sales on their grounds, creating safer environments for patients accessing healthcare services at these facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4373: Relates to attendance policies for employees of the metropolitan transportation authority or contractors of Nassau and Suffolk counties providing public transportation

Relates to attendance policies for employees of the metropolitan transportation authority or contractors of Nassau and Suffolk counties providing public transportation regarding time off for medical services and court appearances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides time off for medical services, improving employee access to healthcare appointments without restricting coverage or funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates time off for medical services/court appearances, protecting workers' rights to address personal needs without penalty.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2025

S 698: Relates to financial loss as a result of a failed in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination

Provides for a credit insurance policy for the indemnification of an intended parent for expenses disbursed when either the intended parent or a person acting as surrogate receives in-vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination treatment that fails and does not result in the birth of a child.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides financial protection for patients facing failed fertility treatments, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1791: Eliminates asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program

S 1791 eliminates asset limits for households receiving public assistance in New York, meaning people can keep more savings and property while still qualifying for benefits. The bill removes specific dollar thresholds for assets like cash (currently capped at $2,500), vehicles, homes, burial plots, and education funds that previously disqualified households from aid. It directly affects low-income families and individuals enrolled in programs like family assistance or medical assistance under New York's social services law. The change simplifies eligibility by disregarding all household assets in benefit calculations, aligning with federal requirements where applicable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves asset limits for medical assistance programs, expanding access to healthcare benefits for low-income households by eliminating disqualifying savings/property thresholds.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves home asset limits, allowing low-income households to retain housing stability without losing public assistance benefits, directly supporting housing security.85% confidence

Track

signed · New York · Assembly Apr 3, 2025

A 7635: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through April 7, 2025

This bill provides emergency funding for New York State government operations from April 1 to April 7, 2025, to cover essential payroll and expenses during a budget gap. It directly affects state employees, departments, and programs by authorizing payments for personal services (up to $324.9 million), non-personal operational costs ($10 million), and specific programs like Medicaid ($1.36 billion), elderly pharmaceutical coverage ($1.52 million), and healthcare services ($3.21 million). The funds are temporary, intended to bridge the period until regular fiscal year appropriations are enacted under state constitution requirements. This procedural bill does not create new policies but ensures continuity of critical state services during the budget transition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes emergency appropriations for essential state operations including payroll and Medicaid during budget gap, directly supporting fiscal management and program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Medicaid ($1.36B), elderly pharmaceuticals ($1.52M), and healthcare services ($3.21M) to maintain coverage during budget gap, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid