Healthcare

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 · 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 1931: Relates to including dental implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program

Includes implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program if a qualified dentist authorizes the procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage to include medically necessary dental procedures (implants, crowns, etc.), directly advancing patient access to dental care under public health program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6650: Relates to third-party network contracts

Allows dental provider networks, certain health and hospital service corporations, and health care plans to enter into contracts with a third party to gain access to services and discounted rates of a provider under a provider network contract.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables third-party network contracts for discounted care access, expanding provider options and affordability without restrictions.85% 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

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 8004: Prohibits approved providers of child health insurance coverage from discriminating against health care providers not participating in the insurer's network

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurance discrimination against out-of-network providers, improving patient access to child health coverage under the plan.95% 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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