Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 8542: Directs the department of health to establish and maintain a directory webpage locating publicly accessible lactation accommodations in state-owned and state-leased buildings

Directs the department of health, in conjunction with other state agencies, to establish and maintain a directory webpage locating publicly accessible lactation accommodations in state-owned and state-leased buildings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates directory for lactation accommodations in state buildings, improving access to maternal health services and public health initiatives.85% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 4950: Relates to the payment for services at addiction treatment centers operated by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires that services at addiction treatment centers operated by the office of addiction services and supports shall not be refused at such centers if a person is unable to pay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents refusal of addiction treatment services based on inability to pay, ensuring access to care for all patients regardless of financial status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2035: Relates to certifying certain professionals as emergency service technicians to service rural areas

Allows certain certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or physicians to be able to be certified as an emergency service technician to service rural areas of the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCertifies additional healthcare professionals (nurse anesthetists, NPs, PAs) as emergency technicians for rural areas, directly expanding access to emergency medical services in underserved regions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 5, 2025

A 2443: Relates to requiring insurance coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors

This bill requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover at least two epinephrine auto-injector devices annually for emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions. It sets a strict $100 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for these devices, meaning insured individuals cannot pay more than $100 regardless of their plan’s deductible or other cost-sharing requirements. The coverage applies to all qualifying health insurance plans (including those with high deductibles), though preventive care provisions remain unaffected by the deductible. This ensures affordable access to critical allergy treatment without requiring individuals to meet full plan deductibles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors with $100 annual cost cap, improving access to emergency allergy treatment95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7377: Relates to the establishment of mental health clubhouses

S 7377 establishes a framework for creating and operating mental health clubhouses across New York State. These clubhouses provide free, community-based support for people with serious mental illness, offering services like job training, housing assistance, and social activities through a non-clinical therapeutic environment. The bill requires clubhouses to be accredited, near public transportation (with virtual options for rural areas), and submit biennial reports on membership, employment, housing, and crisis support to the Office of Mental Health. The Office of Mental Health must develop a statewide implementation plan within one year to guide accreditation and compliance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates mental health clubhouses offering free community support, job training, and housing assistance for serious mental illness, directly advancing mental health services as defined in the topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4929: Decriminalizes possession of controlled substances, establishes the drug decriminalization task force; repealer

Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes drug possession, treats substance use as health issue, establishes task force for reform - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTreats substance use disorder as a health issue rather than criminal behavior, aligning with public health initiatives to improve access to care through legislative reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 7, 2026

A 3906: Extends confidentiality privileges to certain communications to or from a licensed mental health counselor

Extends confidentiality privileges to certain communications to or from a licensed mental health counselor in the course of such licensed mental health counselor's professional employment, and to certain employees of such licensed mental health counselor; provides exceptions thereto.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends confidentiality for mental health counseling communications, protecting patient rights and encouraging access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5015: Relates to applying a special Medicaid rate for releasees in nursing homes

Relates to applying a special Medicaid rate for releasees in facilities or discrete units within facilities that provide long term nursing or medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApplies special Medicaid rate for nursing home releasees, expanding coverage under public health program for vulnerable populations95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1967: Relates to the use of electronic monitoring devices to monitor residents in assisted living residences and patients in nursing homes

Relates to the use of electronic monitoring devices to monitor residents in assisted living residences and patients in nursing homes; requires consent from roommates to such electronic monitoring.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires roommate consent for electronic monitoring in healthcare facilities, protecting patient privacy rights and autonomy in care settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1978: Prohibits the use of state funds for non-residents seeking an abortion or related procedures

Prohibits the use of state funds for non-residents seeking an abortion or any other procedure that results in the intentional termination of a pregnancy at any stage of gestation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits state funding for abortion procedures, defunding a specific service and restricting government spending allocation.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds abortion services for non-residents, restricting healthcare access and funding for a specific procedure.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationThe bill prohibits state funds for 'non-residents' seeking abortion, which restricts access to a state service for a group that includes immigrants.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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