Healthcare

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3363: Relates to the authority of a hospice medical director to sign a death certificate

S 3363 allows hospice medical directors or physicians they designate to sign death certificates, expanding authority beyond the last attending physician. This directly affects hospice care providers and their medical staff by streamlining end-of-life documentation processes. The bill amends Public Health Law Section 4141 to explicitly include these authorized signers in the certification requirements. It makes a specific procedural change to existing law without altering broader healthcare policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines hospice end-of-life documentation by expanding authority to medical directors, improving care coordination without restrictions or funding changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5326: Provides for standardized health insurance contracts for small dental employers

This bill establishes a program offering standardized health insurance contracts to qualifying small dental employers and small employers meeting specific criteria. It defines "qualifying small dental employers" as those with up to 50 employees, including at least one dentist providing 10+ monthly Medicaid-covered visits and two licensed dental hygienists. Employers must certify annually they meet requirements (e.g., ≤50 employees, no prior group coverage, 30% of employees earning ≤$30,000 adjusted annually) and insurers must provide uniform benefit packages without changes. The program aims to make affordable coverage available year-round, with preference for employers serving lower-wage workers or higher Medicaid patient volumes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates standardized dental insurance contracts for small employers meeting Medicaid-linked criteria, expanding access to health coverage for employees and supporting dental services under public health framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes standardized health insurance for small dental employers targeting lower-wage workers (30% earning ≤$30k), expanding employee benefits through accessible coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5812: 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 HealthcareProhibits insurers from discriminating against non-network providers, improving patient access to care and protecting provider choice under child health insurance programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 253: Relates to mental health services and resources for child protective services employees

This bill requires all employers in child protective services (CPS) to provide mental health support services to their employees. It specifically mandates access to resources like trauma-focused therapy, EMDR treatment, counseling, and informational support to address workplace stress and secondary trauma. The law directly affects CPS workers - such as caseworkers and supervisors - who face high-stress, emotionally demanding situations daily. The key provision is a legal obligation for employers to cover these services, aiming to improve employee well-being and retention. (4 sentences)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health services (trauma therapy, counseling) for CPS employees, directly expanding access to mental health care resources.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health services for CPS workers facing high-stress conditions, directly protecting workplace well-being and addressing secondary trauma.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5332: Relates to invoking coverage of a health insurance plan for long term care for an incapacitated individual

Bill S 5332 allows an insured individual's spouse or domestic partner to activate their long-term care health insurance coverage if the insured becomes incapacitated and did not previously execute a power of attorney for this purpose. This authority begins when the insured is determined to lack decision-making capacity, and it ceases if they regain capacity. The bill applies to long-term care health insurance plans issued or renewed after the effective date, aiming to facilitate access to care coverage for incapacitated individuals through their partners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barrier for activating long-term care insurance upon incapacity, improving access to healthcare coverage for vulnerable individuals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 5369: Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities

Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities; establishes the nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nursing home worker recruitment/safety fund, improving staffing and safety in healthcare facilities, directly supporting healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund, directly improving workplace safety standards for healthcare workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 3986: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans

Authorizes an insurer to pay a claim for reimbursement made by a provider using a credit card, virtual credit card or electronic funds transfer payment method that imposes on the provider a free or similar charge to process the payment; defines "virtual credit card" as a single-use series of numbers linked to a fixed dollar amount and provided by an insurer to a provider for the purpose of paying a claim for health care services performed by the provider; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes payment processing fees for healthcare providers when insurers use virtual credit cards, reducing administrative costs and supporting provider financial stability.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 26: Prohibits Medicaid from requiring prior authorization for certain HIV medications

Prohibits Medicaid service providers from requiring prior authorization for antiretroviral prescription drugs for the treatment or prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior authorization barriers for HIV medications, improving patient access to critical treatments under Medicaid.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4914: Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state; repealer

Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects reproductive and gender-affirming care access by shielding providers/receivers from out-of-state liability, aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare