Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8969: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill (S 8969) requires all health insurers in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering under medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive insurance plans. It mandates coverage upon a physician's referral for both habilitative (developing speech skills) and rehabilitative (restoring speech) therapy, provided by licensed professionals. Insurers cannot impose limits on the number of therapy visits or set maximum benefit amounts for this coverage. The bill specifically allows insurers to deny coverage if therapy is already provided through school-based plans (like IEPs or IFSPs), but requires supplemental coverage outside of schools when recommended by a doctor.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover stuttering speech therapy without visit limits, expanding essential healthcare access for patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 5313: Relates to addressing non-covered dental services

Addresses non-covered dental services by requiring all policies providing coverage of and all contracts for dental services issued to include a disclosure stating that a participating provider may charge their normal fee for services that are not covered; requires a cost estimate to be provided.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure and cost estimates for non-covered dental services, protecting patients from unexpected charges in insurance coverage.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 118: Relates to the dissemination of information pertaining to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia through the NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care program

S 118 creates a searchable public database of existing dementia and Alzheimer's disease support programs for elderly individuals (60+). The office of aging, working with the health department, will develop criteria to identify successful programs and maintain the database on its website. The database will include program names, descriptions, contact details, and service areas to help elderly individuals, families, and caregivers find local resources. It requires annual updates to ensure the information remains current and accessible. This bill directly affects elderly persons with dementia/Alzheimer's and the service providers offering support in community settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates searchable database connecting elderly to existing dementia care programs, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9746: Clarifies who may sue an insurer for violations related to misrepresentations, misleading statements and incomplete comparisons

Clarifies that residents of the state and any policyholder, contract holder, certificate holder, or beneficiary of a policy, contract, or certificate of life, accident and health insurance may sue an insurer for violations related to misrepresentations, misleading statements and incomplete comparisons.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by clarifying legal recourse against insurers for misrepresentations, strengthening consumer protections in health insurance.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 2666: Relates to the provision of breast pumps to certain incarcerated birth parents and allowing children to remain with their incarcerated birth parent for a period of time

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates correctional facilities to provide breast pumps and allow infant visits, supporting family reunification and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates provision of breast pumps (medical device) for incarcerated nursing parents, directly improving maternal/infant health access in correctional facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7136: Enacts the psychology interjurisdictional compact

Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact to increase public access to psychological services by allowing telepsychological practice and temporary in-person services across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases mental health access via telepsychology across state lines, directly supporting patient access to psychological services as defined in healthcare topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 3207: Establishes maximum contaminant levels and a hazard index in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Establishes maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); sets such levels at no higher than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and no higher than 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill sets strict PFAS limits (4-10 ppt) in drinking water, directly strengthening environmental protection standards for water quality and public health by reducing toxic contamination.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets strict PFAS limits in drinking water to prevent health risks, aligning with public health protection in healthcare policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8622: Establishes a study regarding doula friendly work spaces

This bill mandates a state study to examine how hospitals and birthing centers integrate doula care into maternal health services. It requires the health department to identify existing "doula-friendly" facilities, analyze successful programs in New York and other states, and develop recommendations for standardized practices - such as visitor status for doulas, inclusion in birth processes, and data collection. The study will report findings and best practices to the governor and legislature by December 2027. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities, doulas, and maternal health systems by laying groundwork for potential future policy changes, but does not create new laws or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study to integrate doulas into maternal care, standardize practices, and improve non-medical support access in birthing facilities, advancing patient-centered healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4692: Requires that free menstrual products be provided in the bathrooms of private colleges and universities

Senate Bill 4692 requires all private colleges and universities in the state to provide menstrual products. These products must be made available in the restrooms of their school buildings. The bill specifies that these items must be offered at no charge to students. This legislation directly affects private higher education institutions, which must supply the products, and benefits their students by ensuring free access to them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free menstrual products in private college restrooms, enhancing student access to essential needs and supporting educational participation in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in schools as a public health measure improving access to essential health necessities, aligning with healthcare access indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5955: Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for acupuncture services

This bill requires most large employer-sponsored health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Specifically, it mandates that plans covering physician office services or major medical coverage must include acupuncture treatment (as defined by law) without denying coverage based on the provider's scope of practice. Plans may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles, co-pays, or benefit limits for these services. The law directly affects health insurers and employers offering large group health plans, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture services, expanding patient access without scope-based denial, directly advancing health coverage under healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer health plans to cover acupuncture, expanding employee health benefits under employment standards without restricting access, aligning with worker benefit protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track