Provides for coverage for the treatment of asthma
This bill requires health insurance plans to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for rescue inhalers, spacers, nebulizers, and related equipment for all policyholders, with additional school supplies for children under 19. Insurance must also cover asthma self-management education - taught by certified providers - during diagnosis, when symptoms change significantly, or for refresher sessions, including home visits when medically necessary. The coverage applies to all policies issued or renewed after the effective date, subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance. This directly affects people with asthma and their families who rely on insurance for treatment.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2025
Last action May 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
A5255
→
A5255A
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends previous asthma coverage laws to ensure that insurance policies provide specific asthma medications and devices without any cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles or copayments. It also mandates coverage for a second set of inhalers for children under nineteen and clarifies that these benefits apply to policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after the law's effective date.
Scope change
The bill's scope was modified to explicitly reference and build upon a prior law (Chapter 504 of the laws of 2025), ensuring consistency and preventing cost-sharing barriers for the newly mandated benefits.
REQUIREMENT
Removed the option for insurers to apply deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance to asthma inhalers and related devices, making these items fully covered.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a specific requirement for children under nineteen to receive a second rescue and maintenance inhaler in addition to the standard coverage.
TIMELINE
Updated the effective date clause to apply to policies issued, renewed, altered, or modified on or after the law becomes effective.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 5255A
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Karines Reyes
DDemocratic
Co
Chantel Jackson
DDemocratic
Co
Demond Meeks
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Donna Lupardo
DDemocratic
Co
Jeffrey Dinowitz
DDemocratic
Co
Jo Anne Simon
DDemocratic
Co
Maritza Davila
DDemocratic
Co
Phara Souffrant Forrest
DDemocratic
Co
Rebecca Seawright
DDemocratic
Co
Stefani Zinerman
DDemocratic
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