Healthcare

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 5665: Includes doula awareness in the department of health's education and outreach program

Bill S 5665 establishes a doula awareness and education program within the Department of Health. This program directs the department to inform the public and healthcare providers about doulas and their benefits throughout pregnancy, delivery, and birth. The Department of Health will produce and distribute educational materials, making them available to healthcare providers for patients. These materials and the department's website will include information on doulas' role in potentially reducing mortality rates for pregnant individuals, specifically highlighting increased risks for Black pregnant individuals. The department is also required to periodically review relevant data and report on the program's implementation every three years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes maternal healthcare access by educating providers/patients on doulas' benefits, aligning with improving patient access and support services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 3207: Establishes maximum contaminant levels and a hazard index in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Establishes maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); sets such levels at no higher than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and no higher than 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill sets strict PFAS limits (4-10 ppt) in drinking water, directly strengthening environmental protection standards for water quality and public health by reducing toxic contamination.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets strict PFAS limits in drinking water to prevent health risks, aligning with public health protection in healthcare policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 9304: Directs the department of health to establish and maintain a menopause informational and resource webpage on the department website

This bill requires New York's Department of Health to create and maintain a dedicated menopause information webpage on its website within 180 days. The webpage must cover key topics including the stages of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause), treatment and management options, and associated symptoms and health complications. It directly affects residents seeking accessible, official health information about menopause. The mandate focuses on providing factual, standardized resources to the public, with no additional funding or enforcement mechanisms specified.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates creation of menopause health information webpage, improving patient access to standardized medical resources and public health education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8622: Establishes a study regarding doula friendly work spaces

This bill mandates a state study to examine how hospitals and birthing centers integrate doula care into maternal health services. It requires the health department to identify existing "doula-friendly" facilities, analyze successful programs in New York and other states, and develop recommendations for standardized practices - such as visitor status for doulas, inclusion in birth processes, and data collection. The study will report findings and best practices to the governor and legislature by December 2027. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities, doulas, and maternal health systems by laying groundwork for potential future policy changes, but does not create new laws or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study to integrate doulas into maternal care, standardize practices, and improve non-medical support access in birthing facilities, advancing patient-centered healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 5894: Defines mental health practitioners with diagnostic authority

Defines mental health practitioners with diagnostic authority for the purposes of providing services under the workers' compensation law; includes such practitioners as providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health provider access under workers' comp, enabling more practitioners to provide covered services, thus supporting patient access to mental health care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4692: Requires that free menstrual products be provided in the bathrooms of private colleges and universities

Senate Bill 4692 requires all private colleges and universities in the state to provide menstrual products. These products must be made available in the restrooms of their school buildings. The bill specifies that these items must be offered at no charge to students. This legislation directly affects private higher education institutions, which must supply the products, and benefits their students by ensuring free access to them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free menstrual products in private college restrooms, enhancing student access to essential needs and supporting educational participation in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in schools as a public health measure improving access to essential health necessities, aligning with healthcare access indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 614: Provides for enrollment in medical assistance programs for incarcerated individuals

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical assistance access for released inmates, supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism through healthcare continuity post-release.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides presumptive eligibility for medical assistance upon release from correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population by enabling enrollment without delay.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 622: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for acupuncture services

This bill requires large group health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by qualified healthcare providers (as defined under Education Law §8211). It applies to plans covering physician office services or comprehensive medical coverage, mandating coverage for acupuncture treatments but allowing reasonable cost-sharing like deductibles or co-pays. The law does not require full coverage without cost-sharing, only that plans include acupuncture as a covered service under specified conditions. It affects insurers offering large group plans and patients relying on such coverage for acupuncture treatments. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment for new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture services, expanding patient access to medical treatments under defined conditions without restricting benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6561: Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening

This bill amends New York's insurance law to require health insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies as part of mandatory breast cancer screening. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer detection and insurers who must provide this coverage when recommended by a physician following nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The key change adds "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered screening and diagnostic imaging procedures, alongside mammograms and ultrasounds. Coverage applies only when the procedure is recommended by a physician and aligns with evidence-based clinical guidelines. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies for screening, expanding diagnostic access under mandatory coverage per clinical guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 1428: Requires insurers to cover the substitution of a brand name prescription drug when the federal food and drug administration has declared that there is a supply issue with a generic drug

Requires insurers to cover the substitution of a brand name prescription drug when the federal food and drug administration has declared that there is a supply issue with a generic drug.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for brand drugs during generic shortages, expanding patient access to necessary medications without cost barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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