Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8965: 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 HealthcareRequires hospitals to disclose rule-based exclusions to patients/public, enhancing transparency and patient rights in healthcare access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 9063: Includes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders as eating disorders for the purposes of mental health

This bill expands New York's official definition of "eating disorder" in mental health law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with ARFID by ensuring they qualify for mental health services, insurance coverage, and prevention programs previously limited to other recognized eating disorders. The key mechanism amends two laws: updating the definition in the Mental Hygiene Law (Section 30.02) and requiring the state's eating disorders awareness program to cover this newly included condition. This change ensures ARFID is formally recognized in medical and mental health practice under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands mental health coverage by including ARFID in eating disorder definitions, ensuring access to services and insurance for affected individuals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9600: Includes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders as eating disorders for the purposes of mental health

This bill expands the legal definition of "eating disorder" in New York State law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It updates two key laws: Section 30.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law (which defines eating disorders) and Section 207 of the Public Health Law (which governs awareness programs). By adding ARFID to the definition, the bill ensures individuals with this condition qualify for mental health services and support programs currently available for other recognized eating disorders. The change directly affects people diagnosed with ARFID who seek mental health care, aligning state policy with current medical diagnostic standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health coverage by including ARFID in legal definition, ensuring access to services previously excluded under existing mental health laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

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

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 10030: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for speech therapy for stuttering

This bill requires health insurers in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering, directly affecting people with stuttering who need this treatment. Insurers must cover all costs for therapy (including both habilitative and rehabilitative treatment) when recommended by a physician, with no limits on the number of visits or duration. Coverage may be denied only if therapy is already provided through school-based education plans (like IEPs), but insurers must still cover supplemental therapy outside of school settings when a physician refers the patient. The law applies to all individual, group, and health service corporation insurance policies issued or renewed after its effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for speech therapy for stuttering, expanding access to necessary treatment without visit limits or duration restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 8482: Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on attachment to the labor market

Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents denial of healthcare benefits for injured workers, ensuring continued access to necessary care by prohibiting withholding benefits based on labor market attachment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits withholding benefits from injured workers not seeking alternate jobs they can perform, directly protecting workers' rights and benefits under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3051: Relates to setting integrated behavioral health services

Authorizes the commissioner of the office of mental health, and the office of addiction services and support to jointly establish a single set of licensing standards and requirements for the construction, operation, reporting and surveillance of integrated behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes unified licensing standards for outpatient healthcare centers, strengthening regulatory framework for mental health/addiction services under health departments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 845: Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act"

Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing is necessary for a medical emergency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits non-consensual drug/alcohol testing for pregnant/postpartum individuals, protecting patient rights in maternal healthcare per bill's explicit consent requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9140: Provides liability protections for health care providers who issue vaccines

Provides liability protections for health care providers who issue vaccines so long as such vaccination does not arise out of willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides liability protections for vaccine providers, encouraging vaccine administration and reducing legal barriers to healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 5900: Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder

Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDistributes educational materials on opioid misuse in high-abuse counties, a public health initiative addressing addiction prevention within healthcare topic area.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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