Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8758: Replaces the term addict with the term person with substance use disorder

This bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates terminology to reduce stigma, aligning with patient rights and mental health best practices in healthcare documentation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9491: Relates to cases terminated due to mental disease or defect and to establishing reporting obligations regarding such cases

This bill (A 9491) requires courts and mental health institutions to coordinate discharge planning for defendants in criminal cases terminated due to mental disease or defect. It mandates that courts order referrals to community services (when clinically appropriate and with consent) and dismiss charges upon termination, while institutions must track referrals and submit de-identified annual reports to state officials. The mental hygiene law office must publish annual public data on defendant outcomes, including admission rates, discharge planning, and referral patterns. The bill directly affects defendants in such cases, courts, mental health facilities, and state agencies, without altering eligibility for services or requiring referrals where consent is absent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community referrals for mental health cases, reduces recidivism by improving rehabilitation, and aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coordination between courts/institutions for mental health discharge planning and community referrals, strengthening continuity of care for mental health patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 6, 2026

A 9515: Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying

Relates to requirements for medical professionals and health care facilities that provide medication to patients for medical aid in dying; extends the initial effectiveness of certain provisions relating thereto.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical aid in dying protocols, enabling patient access to end-of-life care within healthcare system per bill's focus on provider requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 6, 2026

A 136: Relates to the medical aid in dying act

This bill establishes New York's "Medical Aid in Dying Act," allowing terminally ill adults (18+) with decision-making capacity to request and self-administer medication to end their life. To qualify, a patient must have a terminal illness confirmed by two physicians (the attending physician and a consulting physician) and make an informed decision after being fully informed of alternatives, risks, and outcomes. The process requires an oral request, a written request signed by the patient and witnessed by two non-conflicted adults (not relatives or beneficiaries), and includes the right to rescind the request at any time. The bill also mandates documentation, safe disposal of unused medication, and state reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes patient rights in end-of-life care, allowing terminally ill adults to request medication for a peaceful death under physician supervision, aligning with healthcare patient rights protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · New York · Assembly Feb 5, 2026

A 4346: Relates to the administration of certain immunizations by a pharmacist or a certified nurse practitioner

This bill allows pharmacists and certified nurse practitioners in New York to administer the mpox vaccine (and other specified vaccines like flu, COVID-19, and measles) to adults 18 and older under certain conditions. It requires the health commissioner to confirm the vaccine is safe for pharmacists to administer, needed to prevent a prevalent disease in the state, or recommended for patients lacking documentation or with specific risk factors. The law expands existing authority for pharmacists to give certain vaccines but maintains age limits (e.g., flu vaccine for ages 2+). It does not authorize unlicensed individuals to administer vaccines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands vaccine access by allowing pharmacists/nurse practitioners to administer key vaccines (mpox, flu, COVID-19), improving public health service delivery and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8544: Excludes certain medication abortion drugs from being deemed unlawful to prescribe or dispense and from being deemed misbranded under certain circumstances

Provides that the prescribing, dispensing, or receipt of mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be considered a criminal conversion act under certain circumstances; provides that mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be deemed to be adulterated or misbranded under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes legal barriers to prescribing medication abortion drugs, enhancing patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Assembly Jan 27, 2026

A 3350: Relates to educating nursing home residents about the role of legal counsel in applying for Medicaid and Medicare benefits

Bill A 3350 requires nursing homes to inform their residents about their right to seek legal assistance. It specifically mandates that a statement be provided to patients regarding their right to legal counsel when applying for Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. This bill amends the public health law to ensure nursing home residents are aware of this option during the benefit application process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires nursing homes to inform residents about legal counsel for Medicaid/Medicare applications, improving access to existing healthcare benefits and protecting patient rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 265: Relates to the availability of opioid reversal agents

Relates to the availability of opioid reversal agents; requires the department of health to make available any formulation and dosage of opioid reversal agent approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates availability of FDA-approved opioid reversal agents, improving emergency access to life-saving treatment for opioid overdoses, directly supporting public health response to opioid crisis.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1351: Permits midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate

Permits midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate if they are in attendance at or after a fetal death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands scope of practice for midwives/physician assistants in fetal death certification, supporting healthcare professional roles and access to timely medical documentation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 7038: Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fee schedules for rehabilitation and opioid treatment, supporting criminal justice reform through structured funding of treatment programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates fee schedules for opioid treatment rehabilitation rates, ensuring standardized reimbursement and access to critical healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare