Healthcare

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 9168: Relates to reporting on food security trends

This bill requires New York's Department of Public Health to annually report on food security trends at the county level. It directs the department to include the USDA's standard six-item food security survey in its existing health tracking system and publicly post the results online each year. The law directly affects New York residents by creating a state-level tracking system to monitor food insecurity, replacing the discontinued federal USDA report. This provides lawmakers and community organizations with updated, localized data to inform decisions about nutrition assistance programs and resource allocation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands public health data collection by requiring food security tracking in NY's health monitoring system, supporting public health program enhancement.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6037: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

Bill A 6037 establishes a peer support program specifically for veterans dealing with mental illness, alcohol abuse, or substance dependence. The bill defines "veteran peer support services" as counseling provided by a veteran peer counselor to other veterans. It directs the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, in consultation with other agencies, to develop recommended minimum qualifications for these veteran peer counselors and to create procedures for connecting them with training. This program aims to support veterans by leveraging the unique understanding and experiences of fellow veterans in recovery and support roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a mental health peer support program for veterans, directly advancing mental health services through specialized counseling and certification procedures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes veteran peer support program for mental health/substance abuse, directing development of counselor qualifications and training procedures to advance healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 949: Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system

Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system; permits one in-person visit within twelve months unless such in-person visit causes undue hardship on a patient.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits telemedicine for mental health under workers' comp, expanding access to mental healthcare services without restricting options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 6484: Relates to copayment and coinsurance charged for physical and occupational therapy services

Provides that any copayment or coinsurance amount charged by an insurer to the insured for services rendered by a physical therapist or an occupational therapist shall not be more than twenty-five percent greater than the copayment or coinsurance amount imposed for an office visit to a licensed primary care physician or osteopath for the same or a similar diagnosed condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps copayments for PT/OT at 25% above primary care rates, reducing patient cost barriers for essential therapies and improving access to covered services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 8899: Relates to supervision by certain marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors

This bill amends New York's education law to clarify supervision requirements for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. It specifies that applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience (for mental health counselors) or 1,500 client contact hours (for marriage and family therapists), all under qualified supervisors. Supervisors must hold at least 3 years of licensure, have diagnostic privileges, and complete 36 hours of continuing education in supervision ethics. The bill also allows the department to accept supervised experience obtained in waiver-exempt settings or under good-faith belief of proper authorization. These changes directly affect therapists seeking licensure and those providing supervision in mental health practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies supervision standards for mental health counselors, ensuring qualified practitioners through defined experience hours and supervisor requirements, strengthening professional standards in mental health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 9146: Prohibits mobile sports wagering operators from providing counseling, therapy, and treatment services for bettors in New York

Requires mobile sports wagering operators when providing information regarding compulsive play, all links and referrals for counseling, therapy or treatment services shall direct account holders to the problem gambling services webpage maintained by the office of addiction services and supports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates referrals to existing problem gambling treatment services via state addiction office, improving access to mental health care for bettors.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 8849: Requires the department of health to facilitate the exchange of data between the state prescription drug program and electronic health records

Directs the commissioner of health shall promulgate regulations allowing for any electronic health records integration vendor to obtain state approval to facilitate interoperability between the prescription monitoring program registry and certified electronic health records systems that can connect with any national data sharing hub.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFacilitates data interoperability between prescription monitoring and EHRs, improving healthcare coordination and access to patient records.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 634: Requires certain health insurance policies to provide coverage for diabetes and prediabetes screening

This bill requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover diabetes and prediabetes screening at no cost to the patient. It applies to policies covering physician services or major medical coverage, mandating that insurers include screening per national evidence-based guidelines without deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing. The law affects health insurance companies and their policyholders who need preventive diabetes screening. Coverage must be provided free of charge for all qualifying policies issued or renewed after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost diabetes/prediabetes screening coverage, expanding access and removing financial barriers under insurance policies95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 2300: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

This bill requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities in New York to prominently post a "treatment bill of rights" for patients. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and the facilities providing those services. The law mandates facilities to display the bill of rights - including key patient rights like the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and be free from discrimination - and provide a copy to each patient at admission. The bill also requires facilities to give staff copies of these rights. This creates a standardized, visible framework for patient protections in substance use disorder treatment settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates posting patient rights (participation, privacy, non-discrimination) in substance use disorder treatment facilities, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5371: Requires 911 call-takers and dispatchers to complete T-CPR training

Requires 911 call-takers and dispatchers to complete telecommunicator CPR training which shall include recognizing signs of cardiac arrest during emergency calls, providing instructions for initiating CPR instructions to callers, coordinating with emergency medical services dispatch, and using automated external defibrillators when available and appropriate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates CPR training for 911 staff to improve emergency cardiac response, directly enhancing access to life-saving care during medical emergencies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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