This bill provides emergency funding to keep New York state government operating during a critical budget gap from April 1-3, 2025. It allocates $279.9 million for state employee payrolls (including March 2025 back pay), $10 million for essential operational costs, and $1.1 billion for Medicaid programs. The funding ensures continuity for state services, payroll, and Medicaid payments while awaiting the regular 2025-2026 budget. It was enacted rapidly and signed into law on April 1, 2025, to prevent a government shutdown.
This bill modifies New York's insurance law to regulate "step therapy" protocols used by health insurers. It directly affects patients and insurers by limiting how insurers can require patients to try lower-cost drugs before covering a prescribed medication. Key provisions include capping required drug trials at two per condition, banning protocols for unapproved or unsupported drugs, requiring insurer acceptance of doctors' written proof of drug failure as valid evidence, and preventing redundant step therapy for patients who recently completed it under another plan. The changes take effect January 1, 2026.
Requires the commissioner of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports and relevant stakeholders as determined by such commissioner in addition to the office of mental health to publish guidance for incorporating maternal depression screenings into routine prenatal care; changes the effective date to eighteen months.
Provides for education and outreach for drug-induced movement disorders by the department of health through the health care and wellness education and outreach program.
Provides incarcerated individuals with access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing in accordance with certain nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.
This bill establishes a council to make annual recommendations to health departments about services for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The council must consider service availability, emerging trends, differences in Medicaid waiver outcomes, and administrative efficiency when developing its recommendations. These recommendations must be posted annually on the department's website to increase transparency around TBI service planning.
This bill requires most health insurance plans to cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by licensed healthcare providers (such as doctors or nurse practitioners). It applies to all medical, major medical, and similar comprehensive insurance policies sold in the state, including those covering prescription drugs. Coverage may still include standard deductibles and coinsurance, consistent with other benefits in the policy. The law aims to ensure access to prenatal vitamins without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond typical plan requirements.
Requires the department of health to evaluate and make recommendations related to maternal health care and birthing best practices; repeals certain provisions.
Requires certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.
This bill requires New York health insurance plans covering prescription drugs to include coverage for at least two epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. It caps out-of-pocket costs for these devices at $100 annually, regardless of the plan's deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing rules. The law applies to all major medical, group, and similar health insurance policies sold in New York, including health savings account-qualified plans, with specific provisions to maintain federal eligibility for preventive care coverage. It ensures individuals face a predictable maximum cost for these life-saving devices. The bill was signed into law on February 14, 2025.
