Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8545: Relates to newborn screening for Gaucher disease

This bill requires all newborns in New York to be screened for Gaucher disease as part of routine newborn health testing. It directly affects newborns and their families by adding Gaucher disease to the state's mandatory screening panel under public health law. The key provision amends health law to mandate this specific test, ensuring early detection of this rare genetic metabolic disorder at birth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn screening for Gaucher disease, expanding public health prevention efforts to ensure early detection of rare genetic disorder.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8082: Relates to authorizing the release of certain records of deceased residents of mental health facilities to family members upon written request

This bill (S 8082) requires New York's mental health commissioner to create regulations allowing family members to access specific records of deceased residents at mental health facilities upon written request. The records include basic details (name, dates of admission/discharge/birth/death, cause of death), treatment history, employment, and residential history. It prohibits releasing records if the deceased had previously and formally objected in writing, and allows a qualified person (as defined in existing law) to object on behalf of someone who lacked decision-making capacity. The bill also permits physicians to request records for family members with a demonstrated medical need related to their own health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows family access to deceased mental health patient records, supporting transparency and patient rights in mental healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8061: Provides for mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of mental health, to make mental health counseling available to all correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides mental health support for correctional staff, enhancing facility safety and staff well-being within corrections - aligns with reform goals to improve system effectiveness and reduce incidents.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling access for correctional staff, directly advancing mental health services as a core healthcare component.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 · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5407: Relates to the first responder peer support program act

This bill establishes New York's "First Responder Peer Support Program Act," creating a statewide grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for first responders. It directly affects firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and other emergency personnel by providing grants to local entities for trauma-informed training and mental health services. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based training on suicide prevention and resilience, strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of personal information, and annual reporting requirements that exclude identifiable data. The program aims to improve mental health access while ensuring privacy and reducing barriers for those in high-stress emergency response roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes statewide grant program funding peer-to-peer mental health services for first responders, including suicide prevention training and trauma-informed care, directly advancing mental health support within healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 7460: Directs the commissioner of health to establish at least 4 maternal-infant care centers in areas of need for infants suffering from drug withdrawal as a result of in utero exposure

Directs the commissioner of health to establish at least 4 maternal-infant care centers in areas of need for infants suffering from drug withdrawal as a result of in utero exposure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes maternal-infant care centers for drug-exposed infants, expanding specialized healthcare access and addressing public health needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 11328: Requires reporting of the tick-borne disease of Alpha-gal syndrome

This bill requires healthcare providers and facilities to report cases of Alpha-gal syndrome, a serious allergic reaction caused by tick bites, to state health officials. It mandates that the state health commissioner create rules to make this condition a reportable disease and update official surveillance reports to include it alongside other tick-borne illnesses. The legislation applies to medical practitioners and healthcare facilities across the state to improve tracking of this specific health condition. The bill will not take effect immediately but will begin 180 days after it becomes law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reporting of a serious tick-borne disease, strengthening public health surveillance and patient safety protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9664: Establishes the New York state rural ambulance services task force

Establishes the New York state rural ambulance services task force to conduct annual studies on the availability of ambulance services in rural areas and to make recommendations upon the findings of such studies; requires the department of health to submit an annual report detailing the findings of such studies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a task force to study and improve rural ambulance access, directly enhancing patient care availability.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9139: Includes seizure detecting monitors for certain infants under standard coverage for Medicaid recipients

This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include seizure-detecting monitors for infants diagnosed with epilepsy, other seizure disorders, or those with a family history of seizures. The legislation specifically limits this benefit to one monitor per eligible infant to manage costs within the standard coverage plan. By amending the Social Services Law, the bill ensures these medical devices are available to qualifying families starting on January 1st of the following year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds seizure monitoring coverage for infants under Medicaid, expanding access to critical health services for vulnerable patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8654: Enacts the New York state good guardianship act

This bill creates the "New York State Good Guardianship Act," establishing a statewide initiative to expand access to not-for-profit guardianship services for New Yorkers over 18 who are legally determined to need a guardian due to incapacity under Mental Hygiene Law Article 81. It allocates state funding through a new dedicated fund to support qualified non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost guardianship services - including financial management, healthcare coordination, and daily living assistance - replacing unscrupulous for-profit providers. The initiative will operate a public helpline for guidance, require data collection on service outcomes, and aim to reduce Medicaid costs by preventing avoidable hospitalizations and shelter stays. Participating organizations must be tax-exempt and experienced, with the program administered by a state-selected lead agency and subject to annual performance reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding via new dedicated fund for non-profit guardianship services, directly funding a public program under government spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds non-profits providing healthcare coordination as part of guardianship services for incapacitated adults, improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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