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 3, 2026

A 6744: Enacts the psychology interjurisdictional compact

Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact to increase public access to psychological services by allowing telepsychological practice and temporary in-person services across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health access via telepsychology across state lines, directly improving patient access to psychological services per topic description.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

Track

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

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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 · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6522: Relates to Medicaid accountable care organizations

Bill A 6522 allows specific Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to purchase group health insurance policies for their members and employees. It permits ACOs comprised solely of private physician practices to offer experience-rated health insurance plans. The bill establishes requirements for these policies, including minimum coverage numbers and methods for premium payment. It also exempts qualifying ACOs from certain small group rating rules, provided they meet criteria such as having a minimum number of employers and a significant Medicaid patient base.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables Medicaid ACOs to offer experience-rated insurance plans, expanding coverage options and access for members while exempting them from restrictive rating rules.92% 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 11328: Requires reporting of the tick-borne disease of Alpha-gal syndrome

This bill requires healthcare providers and facilities to report cases of Alpha-gal syndrome, a serious allergic reaction caused by tick bites, to state health officials. It mandates that the state health commissioner create rules to make this condition a reportable disease and update official surveillance reports to include it alongside other tick-borne illnesses. The legislation applies to medical practitioners and healthcare facilities across the state to improve tracking of this specific health condition. The bill will not take effect immediately but will begin 180 days after it becomes law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reporting of a serious tick-borne disease, strengthening public health surveillance and patient safety protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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