Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 1988: Enacts the "age-friendly health system enhancement act"

Establishes an age-friendly health system technical assistance center to provide assistance in relation to age-friendly health systems; relates to hospital performance data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates technical assistance center for age-friendly health systems, improving hospital performance data and patient care for seniors, aligning with healthcare enhancement indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 5155: Relates to veterans health care

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention services, expanding coverage and access for veterans95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, suicide prevention, and reproductive care, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 4, 2025

A 1195: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for lung cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing, expanding access and protecting patient rights per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 2398: Replaces the words addict and addicts with the words persons with substance use disorder or a variation thereof

This bill amends multiple New York State laws to replace the terms "addict" or "addicts" with "person with substance use disorder" or a similar phrase throughout legal texts. It specifically updates references in the judiciary law (affecting court proceedings), mental hygiene law (governing treatment programs), and public health law (regarding controlled substance dispensing). The change applies to all relevant legal documents, including those describing mental health hearings, treatment eligibility, and medication administration protocols. This terminology shift aims to reduce stigma by using person-centered language consistent with modern healthcare and legal standards. The bill was signed into law as Chapter 511 on November 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces stigmatizing terms with person-centered language in court, treatment, and health laws, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce bias and improve rehabilitation access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReplaces stigmatizing terms with person-centered language in mental hygiene/public health laws, advancing patient dignity and aligning with mental health service standards.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 128: Requires insurance coverage for inhalers at no cost

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler for asthma treatment at no cost to the patient. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs, directly affecting asthma patients who rely on these medications. Insurers must provide this coverage without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing, with a narrow exception only for high-deductible plans that would otherwise disqualify patients from health savings accounts. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for all new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for asthma inhalers, removing financial barriers and improving patient access to essential medications under insurance coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3294: Relating to medical use of cannabis and to the controlled substances therapeutic research act; repealer

S 3294 updates New York's medical cannabis program by extending the validity of patient and caregiver registry cards from one to two years, streamlining certification processes for doctors, and clarifying possession limits. It requires practitioners to complete training before issuing certifications, allows special certifications for patients with progressive conditions, and permits patients to possess up to a 60-day supply of cannabis (aligning with existing penal law). The bill directly affects certified patients, designated caregivers, and healthcare providers by modernizing documentation, reducing administrative burdens, and updating expiration rules. It repeals the outdated Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act, consolidating the program under revised cannabis law provisions. This law took effect after being signed by the governor in November 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical cannabis access via longer registry cards, streamlined doctor certifications, and 60-day supply limits, directly improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3236: Allows pharmacy technicians to practice in any pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist

This bill (S 3236) allows registered pharmacy technicians to work in any licensed pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It permits technicians to assist with tasks like preparing, labeling, and dispensing prescriptions or medications - provided these tasks require no professional judgment (which remains the pharmacist's responsibility). The law requires pharmacists to be physically present during these tasks, authorize all work, and approve it before any medication is dispensed. The pharmacy must also ensure technicians receive proper training before they begin assisting. The bill is now law (signed November 21, 2025).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in dispensing medications under supervision, improving pharmacy workflow and patient access to medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 3404: Relates to permitting an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital

Requires hospitals to permit an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital until appropriate hospital staff is assigned to interpret.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures interpreters stay during hospital admission for deaf/hard of hearing patients, improving patient access and communication rights in healthcare settings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 7011: Allows individuals to register in the donate life registry through mandatory personal income tax electronic tax filings

This bill adds a new option for New York residents to register for the Donate Life Registry (which facilitates organ, eye, and tissue donations) through mandatory electronic personal income tax filings. It requires the state to include a clear checkbox on tax forms asking, "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This expands existing registration methods - which include driver's license applications, health insurance enrollment, and college financial aid forms - to include tax filings for those required to file electronically. The change applies to all taxpayers submitting income tax documents via electronic means, making organ donation registration more accessible during routine state interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands organ donation registration via tax forms, facilitating public health program (Donate Life Registry) to increase organ availability for transplants, improving patient access to life-saving healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 7321: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill (A 7321) would require New York health insurers to cover speech therapy for stuttering when recommended by a physician. It applies to all medical, major medical, and similar insurance plans, eliminating limits on the number of therapy sessions or visits. Coverage must be provided by licensed professionals and clarifies that school-based therapy (like IEPs) does not affect medical coverage for therapy outside educational settings. The bill was vetoed by the governor in October 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for speech therapy for stuttering, eliminating session limits and expanding access to medical care for a specific condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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