Healthcare

died · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 355: Provides for program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D

Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health plans to meet or exceed Medicare Part D standards, strengthening prescription drug coverage access and patient protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 1918: Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities

Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities who are Medicaid eligible adults eighteen years of age or older with a diagnosis of a neurological, muscular, or neuromuscular condition, and a mobility impairment; provides that a specialized health home shall be reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis and shall receive enhanced rates of payment; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid-funded specialized health home program for disabled adults with enhanced provider reimbursement, expanding access and funding for disability-related care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 8817: Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans and the effectiveness of provisions of law relating thereto

S 8817 requires insurers and health care plans to notify providers about potential fees before using payment methods like virtual credit cards that charge providers, offer a fee-free alternative, and get provider consent within 30 days. If providers don't choose within that timeframe, insurers must use the fee-free method. The bill also prohibits charging fees for payment transmission unless providers explicitly consent to the fee-charged method. This directly affects health care providers receiving payments from insurers by ensuring transparency about payment fees and giving them control over payment method choices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers from unexpected payment fees by requiring insurer consent and fee-free alternatives, ensuring fairer financial practices in healthcare billing.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 8759: Requires the state office for the aging to publish a "Guide to Actions When Someone Close Dies"

This bill requires New York's State Office for the Aging to create and publish a "Guide to Actions When Someone Close Dies" within one year. The guide must cover practical information on economic security (pensions, insurance, taxes), legal steps (death certificates, wills), mental health support for grief, funeral arrangements and costs, and other relevant resources. It directly affects New Yorkers experiencing bereavement by providing a centralized, accessible resource during a difficult time. The guide will be available online and optionally in print, developed with input from experts in funeral services, mental health, law, and tax fields. The bill is procedural, focusing on creating a reference tool rather than changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMental health support for grief is explicitly required in the guide, aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 4548: Permits dentists to administer vaccinations against human papillomavirus

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly permit dentists to administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations as part of their professional practice. It directly affects dentists by expanding their scope of practice to include HPV vaccine administration, which is currently typically provided by physicians or nurses. The key provision adds "the administration of vaccinations against the human papillomavirus (HPV)" to the legal definition of dental practice under Section 6601. This change would allow dentists to provide HPV vaccines during routine dental visits, potentially increasing access to the vaccine. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands dental scope to include HPV vaccinations, increasing access to preventive healthcare services and broadening provider availability for public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 4816: Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation

Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for long-term medical care of Lyme/tick-borne diseases, expanding health coverage for affected workers under workers' compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation to cover Lyme disease as occupational illness, requiring insurance coverage for long-term medical care, strengthening worker benefits and protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 11: Requires disclosure of information concerning non-invasive prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities

Requires disclosure of information concerning non-invasive prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities including the benefits and limitations of non-invasive prenatal testing, the difference between non-invasive prenatal testing and prenatal diagnostic testing, and current recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of prenatal screening info to patients, aligning with patient rights and informed healthcare decisions per ACOG/ACMG guidelines.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1683: Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act"

Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act" requiring public universities to develop, produce and distribute informational materials related to emergency contraception.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates public universities to distribute emergency contraception educational materials, expanding access to health education resources under higher education, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public universities to distribute emergency contraception education materials, improving access to reproductive health information and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1812: Relates to the certification of innovative statewide substance use disorder treatment services

This bill creates a certification process for organizations providing in-home substance use disorder treatment services in New York. It requires applicants (including out-of-state entities registered with the state) to meet specific clinical standards, including conducting screenings for overdose risk, mental health conditions, and suicide risk. Certified providers must implement safety plans, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone access, and regular recovery planning. The law aims to standardize and expand access to in-home treatment while ensuring providers meet defined safety and clinical requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires certified substance use treatment with overdose risk screening and medication-assisted treatment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clinical standards including mental health screenings, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone access, and safety plans for substance use disorder care, strengthening treatment protocols and patient safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 4953: Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program

Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and medical services integrated services to individuals who have significant addiction and medical issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes addiction treatment pilot program, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation services for high-need individuals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates integrated addiction/medical pilot program, expanding access to treatment for co-occurring conditions under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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