Healthcare

died · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 3100: Provides for coverage for the treatment of asthma

This bill (S 3100) requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for asthma equipment like rescue inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers, plus school equipment for children under 19. The bill also requires coverage for certified asthma self-management education - teaching patients about proper device use, environmental triggers, and treatment - limited to medically necessary visits after diagnosis or symptom changes. Insurance plans may still apply standard deductibles/coinsurance for these benefits. The policy directly affects New Yorkers with asthma and their families, ensuring access to essential equipment and education through their insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for asthma treatments, equipment, and education, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 488: Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act

Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the attorney general of arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers resulting in the delay of the introduction of generic medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires disclosure of drug manufacturer arrangements delaying generics, aiming to lower drug costs and improve patient access to affordable medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 8395: Relates to orders not to resuscitate and decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment and hospice care

Relates to orders not to resuscitate and the applicability of the family health care decisions act to residents of mental hygiene hospitals patients who lack decision-making capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies application of patient autonomy laws for mental health patients in end-of-life care, protecting rights to informed treatment decisions per Family Health Care Decisions Act.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 56: Establishes a drug checking program

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides exemptions from controlled substance offenses for drug checking participants, reducing criminalization and aligning with harm reduction reform in criminal justice.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health surveillance for drug safety, reducing health risks from contaminants and aligning with harm reduction strategies in healthcare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9331: Relates to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use

Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to prescription medications by codifying workers' compensation regulations and requiring reporting on out-of-network pharmacy use.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 381: Relates to certain notices and guidelines regarding mental health services and resources available to employees

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers written materials regarding mental health services and resources available to employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidance for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees; provides that such guidance be in written and digital resources and in English or translated to an additional primary language or languages as applicable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health resource materials for employers, promoting workplace mental health access and support per bill's directive to distribute written/digital resources.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health resources for employees, advancing workplace wellness and support under labor standards90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 4867: Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions

Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits step therapy barriers for serious mental health coverage, improving patient access and protecting treatment rights under mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 3838: Requires medical records to be made available to patients in an electronic format through a web portal

Requires medical records to be made available to patients in an electronic format through a web portal and in a format that allows patients to save records to their own device; requires electronic medical records systems to give qualified persons access to records in a single, secure format and to establish policies and procedures to endure confidentiality.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates electronic patient access to medical records, improving transparency and patient control over health data, aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure electronic medical records access with confidentiality policies, enhancing data privacy protections in healthcare technology systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 897: Relates to nursing employees

S 897 requires employers to provide nursing employees with a designated room for expressing breast milk that includes a sink or basin specifically for washing breast pump attachments, upon the employee's request. This amendment to New York's labor law (section 206-c) updates existing requirements for workplace accommodations by adding this specific provision for equipment cleaning. The bill directly affects nursing employees in workplaces who need to express milk, ensuring their designated space includes necessary facilities for hygiene. Employers must provide this sink in a room that is private, well-lit, near work areas, and not a restroom. The bill amends existing law and was referred to the Labor committee on January 8, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides workplace accommodations for nursing employees (medical professionals), ensuring health/safety during breastfeeding, directly supporting healthcare workforce stability and well-being.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to provide designated space with sink for nursing employees' milk expression, advancing workplace accommodations and protecting workers' rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 6494: Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as required coverage for maternity care

This bill requires all health insurance policies in New York to cover doula services as part of mandated maternity care. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders by adding doulas (non-medical birth support professionals) to the list of covered services alongside hospital stays and midwife care. The key provision amends insurance law to mandate that maternity coverage includes doula services for at least 48 hours post-birth (or 96 hours for C-sections), without duplicating physician or midwife services already provided. This applies to all new, renewed, or modified policies issued 180 days after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for doula services in maternity care, expanding patient access to non-medical birth support without cost-sharing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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