Healthcare

died · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3364: Establishes an office of the state medical fund ombudsperson and a medical indemnity fund advisory panel

Establishes an office of the state medical indemnity fund ombudsperson and a medical indemnity fund advisory panel to advocate for, assist and represent the interests of qualified plaintiffs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes ombudsperson to advocate for medical malpractice plaintiffs, protecting patient rights within healthcare dispute resolution.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 2398: Requires genetic testing results only be received by patients and health care providers providing direct care while health insurance companies only receive a record that the genetic testing was performed

Requires genetic testing results only be received by patients and health care providers providing direct care while health insurance companies only receive a record that the genetic testing was performed; provides insurers cannot require access to genetic testing results and cannot take adverse action against someone for not providing genetic testing results.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts insurers from accessing genetic test results, preventing discrimination and protecting patient privacy in healthcare coverage, aligning with patient rights protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 6494: Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as required coverage for maternity care

This bill requires all health insurance policies in New York to cover doula services as part of mandated maternity care. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders by adding doulas (non-medical birth support professionals) to the list of covered services alongside hospital stays and midwife care. The key provision amends insurance law to mandate that maternity coverage includes doula services for at least 48 hours post-birth (or 96 hours for C-sections), without duplicating physician or midwife services already provided. This applies to all new, renewed, or modified policies issued 180 days after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for doula services in maternity care, expanding patient access to non-medical birth support without cost-sharing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 3356: Enacts the lab services accessibility act

This bill creates the "Lab Services Accessibility Act," which modifies New York's public health law to expand exemptions for clinical laboratories providing specific public health services. It directly affects clinical laboratories and health service providers operating under public health programs, such as pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted infection screening, pandemic response, and care for underserved populations. Key provisions (Section 3) add new payment exemptions, allowing services for these programs to be covered without triggering certain regulatory requirements - specifically, by entities like hospitals, insurers, or public health initiatives. The law aims to streamline access to essential lab services by clarifying payment pathways for priority health needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to lab services for public health programs (pregnancy testing, STI screening, pandemic response) via payment exemptions, improving care for underserved populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 940: Establishes mandatory minimum medicaid coverage for hospital confinement for childbirth

Requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by caesarean section; provides such coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates minimum Medicaid coverage for childbirth hospital stays, expanding access to maternity care and ensuring insurance coverage for essential postpartum care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 2057: Enacts the "beauty justice act"

Enacts the "beauty justice act"; provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates harmful cosmetic ingredients, a public health measure to protect consumers from health risks, aligning with public health programs under healthcare.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 3581: Provides lead service line identification for certain water systems

This bill requires public water systems serving specific residential areas (like those with 15+ year-round residents or 25+ regular users) to identify lead service lines. It directly affects these water systems and property owners/tenants in those areas. Key provisions include: water systems must inspect properties for lead lines after obtaining consent, with non-owner occupants allowed to consent if owners don't respond within 30 days; inspections must occur within 60 days of consent. The bill focuses solely on identifying lead pipes - not replacing them - and clarifies that non-owner occupants aren't liable for consenting to inspections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires lead service line identification to reduce water contamination, directly addressing pollution control in environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses lead exposure risk in public water systems, a public health concern directly impacting community health outcomes under healthcare topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 9598: Relates to immunization vaccines for children

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and/or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations; removes certain requirements for vaccines to be administered under federal guidance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates pediatric immunizations following medical standards and professional recommendations, strengthening public health and child healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 20, 2026

S 5340: Allows medical assistants to administer vaccines

This bill allows medical assistants in outpatient clinics to draw and administer vaccines under direct supervision by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It specifically permits this for vaccines recommended by federal health authorities (like the CDC), requiring medical assistants to complete required training and receive adequate oversight. The law directly affects medical assistants, clinics, and healthcare providers who administer routine vaccines, expanding their scope of practice for vaccination tasks. Key provisions include mandatory federal vaccine recommendations, required training, and supervision requirements to ensure patient safety. The bill does not change vaccine types or eligibility but modifies who can legally administer them in office settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands vaccine administration scope to medical assistants under supervision, increasing access to routine immunizations without restricting services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 354: Expands the healthcare services provided by telehealth

This bill expands telehealth healthcare coverage by requiring insurers and government programs to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits, with specific exceptions. It ensures telehealth providers are paid equally for most services, though they won't be reimbursed for facility costs (like clinic fees) that weren't incurred during virtual visits. Mental health services delivered via telehealth - covered under specific mental hygiene laws - must receive full in-person reimbursement rates unless a commissioner deems them inappropriate. New telehealth modalities, provider types, or locations require federal funding approval. The bill aims to make telehealth financially equivalent to in-person care for most covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal reimbursement for telehealth vs in-person visits, expanding access and requiring full coverage for mental health services under mental hygiene laws.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates equal reimbursement for telehealth services, directly advancing technology-enabled healthcare access and removing financial barriers to telehealth adoption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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