Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 1965: Restores medical futility as a basis for DNR

This bill restores a specific medical futility standard as a basis for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders under New York's Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA) and surrogate court procedures. It allows two physicians to determine that resuscitation would be medically futile - meaning it would not restore heart or breathing function or would lead to repeated cardiac arrests before death - without requiring court approval for patients lacking decision-making capacity. This directly affects patients in end-of-life situations, particularly those with developmentally disabilities, by providing a clearer pathway for DNR orders when resuscitation is deemed ineffective. The change amends existing laws to reintroduce this criterion, which was removed when the FHCDA replaced New York's former DNR law in 2010.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores physician determination of medical futility for DNR without court approval, streamlining end-of-life care decisions and protecting patient rights under FHCDA.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8426: Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurer discrimination against mental health/substance use disorder patients, enforcing parity and protecting patient rights under federal law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents insurer discrimination on mental health/substance use, ensuring equal access to benefits, aligns with expanding worker benefits under employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 2666: Relates to the provision of breast pumps to certain incarcerated birth parents and allowing children to remain with their incarcerated birth parent for a period of time

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates correctional facilities to provide breast pumps and allow infant visits, supporting family reunification and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates provision of breast pumps (medical device) for incarcerated nursing parents, directly improving maternal/infant health access in correctional facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 3188: Limits physician charges for missed appointments by patients

Relates to physician charges for missed appointments by patients; bars physicians from charging fees if a patient arrives on time for appointment but was not seen; requires written policy about missed appointments be prominently posted in patient waiting room and included in bills mailed to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars physicians from charging patients for missed appointments when they arrived on time, protecting patient rights and preventing unfair fees in healthcare billing practices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4583: Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents of children and their children

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires humane treatment standards for incarcerated birthing parents, advancing human rights within correctional facilities per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare standards for incarcerated birthing parents, requiring treatment regulations to protect health and safety in correctional facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1063: Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals

Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals, including two hours of course work or training encompassing minority healthcare issues; provides an exemption for certain individuals; requires hospitals and facilities to request documentation of the completion of training from employees and prospective employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cultural competence training for medical professionals to address minority healthcare disparities, improving care quality and access per bill's focus on minority healthcare issues.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 1428: Requires insurers to cover the substitution of a brand name prescription drug when the federal food and drug administration has declared that there is a supply issue with a generic drug

Requires insurers to cover the substitution of a brand name prescription drug when the federal food and drug administration has declared that there is a supply issue with a generic drug.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for brand drugs during generic shortages, expanding patient access to necessary medications without cost barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 9822: Repeals section 2307 of the public health law relating to persons knowing themselves to be infected with venereal disease

This bill removes a specific section from the public health law that previously addressed individuals who knew they had a venereal disease. By repealing this section, the legislation stops the state from enforcing any rules or penalties related to that specific requirement. The change takes effect immediately and prevents any new legal actions from being started under the old rule.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepealing laws that penalize individuals for knowing their infection status protects patient privacy and encourages testing, thereby strengthening public health outcomes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 1634: Provides for primary care investment

Requires health care plans and payors to have a minimum of twelve and one-half percent of their total expenditures on physical and mental health annually be for primary care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 12.5% annual spending on primary care, directly funding and strengthening primary healthcare services as required by the bill.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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