Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1438: Enacts the New York state abortion clinical training program act

Establishes the New York state abortion clinical training program within the department of health for the purpose of training health care practitioners in the performance of abortion and related reproductive health care services; requires the commissioner of health to submit a report to the governor and the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes abortion clinical training program to expand reproductive healthcare access by training providers, directly advancing patient access to reproductive health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 359: Prohibits state-operated hospitals from suing patients for medical debt

This bill prohibits state-operated hospitals - including university health centers, cancer institutes, and certain public hospitals - from taking patients to court to collect unpaid medical bills. It defines "medical debt" as any unpaid charge for health care services, products, or devices provided by these facilities. The law prevents hospitals from using court action to recover such debts, directly protecting patients who owe medical bills to these specific state-run institutions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits state hospitals from suing patients for medical debt, protecting patient rights and improving access to care by preventing financial penalties for unpaid bills.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5812: Prohibits approved providers of child health insurance coverage from discriminating against health care providers not participating in the insurer's network

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from discriminating against non-network providers, improving patient access to care and protecting provider choice under child health insurance programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4914: Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state; repealer

Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects reproductive and gender-affirming care access by shielding providers/receivers from out-of-state liability, aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 929: Provides for the protection of health information

Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient health information privacy via consent requirements, directly advancing patient rights safeguards in healthcare policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 3486: Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency on hospital exclusions, enabling informed patient decisions and protecting rights through public disclosure of coverage barriers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3294: Relating to medical use of cannabis and to the controlled substances therapeutic research act; repealer

S 3294 updates New York's medical cannabis program by extending the validity of patient and caregiver registry cards from one to two years, streamlining certification processes for doctors, and clarifying possession limits. It requires practitioners to complete training before issuing certifications, allows special certifications for patients with progressive conditions, and permits patients to possess up to a 60-day supply of cannabis (aligning with existing penal law). The bill directly affects certified patients, designated caregivers, and healthcare providers by modernizing documentation, reducing administrative burdens, and updating expiration rules. It repeals the outdated Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act, consolidating the program under revised cannabis law provisions. This law took effect after being signed by the governor in November 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical cannabis access via longer registry cards, streamlined doctor certifications, and 60-day supply limits, directly improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 6441: Requires certain health insurance policies include coverage for services provided by pharmacists related to contraceptives

This bill requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptive services provided by pharmacists without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including over-the-counter options), emergency contraception, patient counseling, and follow-up care like device insertion/removal. Plans must allow dispensing up to 12 months of contraceptives at once and reimburse pharmacists the same rate as other healthcare providers. The law applies to group/blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting insured individuals and pharmacists providing these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for contraceptive services without cost-sharing, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Oct 16, 2025

A 1894: Repeals section 3372 of the public health law

This bill repeals a requirement in New York's public health law that previously mandated healthcare providers to report patients' drug use to authorities. It directly affects healthcare practitioners who no longer must report such information under this provision. The bill removes this specific reporting obligation with no new mechanisms or provisions added. As a procedural repeal, it solely eliminates the existing legal requirement without creating new policies. The bill was enacted after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor's signature in October 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves mandatory reporting of patient drug use, reducing barriers to care and protecting patient privacy, thus improving access and trust in healthcare services.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare