Healthcare

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6561: Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening

This bill amends New York's insurance law to require health insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies as part of mandatory breast cancer screening. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer detection and insurers who must provide this coverage when recommended by a physician following nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The key change adds "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered screening and diagnostic imaging procedures, alongside mammograms and ultrasounds. Coverage applies only when the procedure is recommended by a physician and aligns with evidence-based clinical guidelines. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies for screening, expanding diagnostic access under mandatory coverage per clinical guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3566: Relates to including dental implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program

Includes implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program if a qualified dentist authorizes the procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include dental implants, crowns, and root canals as medically necessary, increasing access to dental care for beneficiaries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 607: Provides for the licensure of dietitians and nutritionists; repealer

This bill establishes a licensing system for dietitians and nutritionists in New York. It defines "licensed dietitian" and "licensed nutritionist," requiring professionals to meet specific education and training standards to practice. The law restricts the use of titles like "dietitian" or "nutritionist" to only those who are licensed, and specifies that only licensed professionals can provide medical nutrition therapy and therapeutic diets for health conditions. It also clarifies the scope of practice for both professions, including services like nutrition counseling and managing dietary needs for chronic diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for dietitians/nutritionists, ensuring qualified providers for medical nutrition therapy and improving patient safety/access to regulated healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 7701: Establishes a clinical preceptorship personal income tax credit for certain health care professionals who provide preceptor instruction to students

Establishes a clinical preceptorship personal income tax credit for certain health care professionals who provide preceptor instruction to students studying to be a health care professional.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates personal income tax credit for healthcare preceptors, providing direct tax relief and aligning with fiscal support for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill incentivizes health care professionals to teach students via tax credit, supporting higher education training programs in health care fields.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit incentivizes healthcare professionals to mentor students, supporting workforce development and future healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2046: Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program

Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program to provide additional educational opportunities for students at certain universities and colleges in the state to enroll in academic programs that lead to a degree or degrees required for licensure in any of the mental health professions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mental health degree programs at universities to expand educational access and workforce preparation in higher education, directly advancing educational opportunity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health education programs to train professionals, directly supporting workforce development for mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 9168: Relates to reporting on food security trends

This bill requires New York's Department of Public Health to annually report on food security trends at the county level. It directs the department to include the USDA's standard six-item food security survey in its existing health tracking system and publicly post the results online each year. The law directly affects New York residents by creating a state-level tracking system to monitor food insecurity, replacing the discontinued federal USDA report. This provides lawmakers and community organizations with updated, localized data to inform decisions about nutrition assistance programs and resource allocation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands public health data collection by requiring food security tracking in NY's health monitoring system, supporting public health program enhancement.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 9076: Directs the department of health to create an informational pamphlet concerning intrauterine devices

Directs the department of health to create an informational pamphlet concerning intrauterine devices; requires such informational pamphlet to be available on the department of health's website; requires practitioners to distribute such informational pamphlet to patients seeking contraceptives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates distribution of IUD information to contraceptive patients, improving access to reproductive health resources and aligning with patient access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4612: Includes coverage of treatment rendered by a massage therapist

Bill S 4612 amends the workers' compensation law to include coverage for treatment provided by licensed massage therapists. It defines "massage therapist" and adds them to the list of authorized healthcare providers within the workers' compensation system. Under this bill, an injured employee can receive massage therapy if prescribed or referred by an authorized physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or nurse practitioner. Massage therapists rendering such treatment would be required to maintain patient records. However, their reports or opinions would not be considered evidence of the causal link of an injury to a work accident or occupational disease, nor evidence of disability, under this law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' compensation health coverage to include licensed massage therapy services, increasing access to alternative treatments for injured workers under prescribed care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed massage therapy for work injuries, strengthening treatment access and recovery support for injured workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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