Healthcare

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 55: Enacts the overdose prevention and recovery act

Enacts the overdose prevention and recovery act; directs that at least twenty percent of funds from the opioid stewardship fund shall be invested in recovery services and supports; requires an annual report to the legislature regarding funds distributed from the opioid stewardship fund; makes the opioid stewardship fund permanent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects 20% of opioid fund to recovery services, expanding public health access for addiction treatment under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7315: Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products

This bill would allow New York SNAP (food stamp) recipients to use their benefits to purchase menstrual products like tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. It requires the state to apply for a federal waiver or authorization within 90 days to make this change, as current federal rules currently restrict SNAP use to food items. The policy directly affects low-income New Yorkers who rely on SNAP benefits for basic needs. The change would take effect only after federal approval is secured.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to essential health necessities (menstrual products) for low-income SNAP recipients, aligning with improved patient access under healthcare policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1773: Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings

Prohibits state contracts with contractors who do not provide health insurance which covers supplemental breast cancer screenings; authorizes the comptroller to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state contractors provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, expanding coverage and improving access to preventive care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires contractors to provide health insurance covering supplemental breast cancer screenings, enhancing worker benefits and employment standards as a condition for state contracts.90% 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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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 19, 2025

A 565: Relates to prohibiting the establishment of new for-profit hospices

This bill (A 565) prohibits the establishment of new for-profit hospices and bans capacity increases for existing for-profit hospices. It applies to all approvals after the law takes effect, directly affecting for-profit hospice providers and their expansion plans. The law requires new hospice facilities to operate as non-profits and prevents existing for-profit hospices from growing their services. This represents a concrete change in healthcare regulation, restricting for-profit models in hospice care.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits new for-profit hospices and bans capacity increases, restricting for-profit healthcare market access in hospice services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1226: Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public notice before closing mental health/maternity units, protecting access to critical healthcare services and preventing service disruptions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 123: Relates to prohibiting the sale of infant walkers and restricting the use of such infant walkers in certain settings

S 123 bans the sale of infant walkers by all sellers (manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and secondhand dealers) in New York State. It also restricts the use of infant walkers in child care facilities, requiring medical necessity approval from a professional for any exception. Child care facilities must receive plain-language notice about the ban and follow rules set by the Office of Children and Family Services. The law allows the attorney general to enforce the ban through injunctions and impose civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans infant walkers to prevent injuries, requiring medical oversight in child care - direct public health protection aligning with injury prevention under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 3355: Includes digital health care service platforms in the definition of temporary health care services agency

This bill amends New York's public health law to explicitly include digital health care platforms (e.g., app-based services connecting workers with facilities) in the legal definition of "temporary health care services agency." It directly affects digital health staffing platforms and health care facilities that use them, requiring these platforms to verify workers' licenses and training before assignments. Key provisions mandate submitting contracts with health facilities to the state within five business days and documenting staff qualifications. The law ensures digital platforms face the same regulatory standards as traditional staffing agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates license verification for digital health platforms, enhancing patient safety and regulatory compliance in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 4926: Relates to contracted network pharmacy use

This bill (S 4926) gives injured workers in New York State the right to choose their own pharmacy for prescribed medications under specific circumstances, directly affecting workers receiving workers' compensation. It allows them to bypass the employer/carrier's contracted pharmacy if payment is denied within 72 hours or if reauthorization fails for reasons like missing medical reports, disputes over treatment guidelines, or case settlement delays. Pharmacies dispensing medication under this provision must follow the state’s pharmacy fee schedule, medical treatment guidelines, and formulary, and assume liability for costs if the medication isn’t later approved. The bill was passed by the state legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on December 5, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGives injured workers pharmacy choice when denied, improving access to medications under workers' comp, directly protecting patient rights and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill grants injured workers right to choose pharmacy when denied by employer, protecting access to medications under workers' comp, advancing employment benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 4, 2025

A 1195: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for lung cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing, expanding access and protecting patient rights per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare