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 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 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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passed · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 3575: Relates to establishing a uterine fibroids awareness and education program

Establishes a uterine fibroids awareness and education program on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids and the elevated risk for minority women.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes uterine fibroids awareness/education program targeting minority health disparities, aligns with public health education initiatives to improve patient access to information.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 5047: Provides for offering reward or incentive programs

S 5047 allows health insurers and certain corporations to offer reward programs for wellness, preventative care, and health management initiatives to policyholders. The bill permits incentives like discounts or cash rewards, but caps total annual value at $600 per insured member. It also permits insurers to adjust premiums to reflect commission costs within ranges filed with regulators, without violating existing anti-inducement rules. This applies specifically to accident and health insurance policies, not life insurance, and excludes certain community-rated policies. The law aims to support health-focused programs while maintaining clear financial limits for insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables wellness/reward programs for preventative care, promoting healthier behaviors and aligning with healthcare access goals without restricting coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · New York · Assembly Mar 31, 2026

A 10760: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through April 7, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding for state government operations from April 1 through April 7, 2026, to ensure payments continue while regular appropriations are being processed. It allocates approximately $248 million for employee payroll, $10 million for non-payroll operational expenses, and $6.4 million for federal food and nutrition assistance programs. The legislation also includes $609.9 million for the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) and covers various employee benefits such as social security contributions and retirement plan costs. This temporary funding allows state departments and agencies to maintain essential services during the brief gap before the full fiscal year budget is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding for state operations, payroll, Medicaid, and essential programs, directly advancing budget allocation and government spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $609.9 million for Medicaid, directly funding healthcare services and maintaining program operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $248M for employee payroll and covers employee benefits, directly supporting worker compensation and employment operations75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 8806: Directs counties to develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans

Directs the department of health to make available a model comprehensive county emergency medical system plan to provide guidance to counties in developing their plans and to review such county plans within a certain period of time; and directs counties, in coordination with their regional emergency medical services councils, to develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans that provide for coordinated emergency medical systems within such counties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects counties to develop coordinated emergency medical system plans, strengthening public health infrastructure and emergency response coordination within healthcare systems.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare