Requires Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care regardless of federal funding; prohibits discriminatory practices by health care entities and insurers; relates to coverage for treatment for gender dysphoria

Added new sponsors (KELLES, LEVENBERG, HEVESI, SHIMSKY, BORES, SIMON) to the bill's introduction.

Relocated the definition of 'health care entity' from a standalone section to the definition of 'place of public accommodation' within the Executive Law.

Updated the list of licensed professionals included in the 'health care entity' definition to include new categories (131-B, 131-C, 137-A) and remove others (135, 136, 137, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 153, 157, 163, 164, 167).

Added a new provision amending the insurance law to prohibit insurers from discriminating against individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status.

Added specific requirements for insurers to cover medically necessary services for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence and to provide appeal rights for denied claims.

Updated the bill title and section references to include the new insurance law amendments and adjusted paragraph numbering in the executive law section.

Changed the bill number designation from '6596' to '6596--A' to indicate it is an amended version.