Healthcare

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 5894: Defines mental health practitioners with diagnostic authority

Defines mental health practitioners with diagnostic authority for the purposes of providing services under the workers' compensation law; includes such practitioners as providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health provider access under workers' comp, enabling more practitioners to provide covered services, thus supporting patient access to mental health care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8487: Relates to establishing a Legionnaires' disease awareness and education program

This bill requires New York's health department to create and maintain an ongoing public education program about Legionnaires' disease, a type of lung infection. The program must provide clear information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment through printed materials for healthcare providers to share with patients, plus updated content on the department's website. The health department must regularly review and update this information and report every three years to state leaders on the program's progress. The program applies directly to the state health department, healthcare providers distributing materials, and the public seeking information about Legionnaires' disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public health education program for Legionnaires' disease, strengthening disease awareness and prevention efforts within healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4102: Requires the establishment of community housing waiting lists within the office of mental health service system

Requires the establishment of community housing waiting lists within the office of mental health service system; directs each provider of housing services in the office of mental health system to provide, on a monthly basis, the office of mental health with a list of each person referred to, admitted to, applying for, withdrawing an application for and denied admission to housing provided by such provider; requires the community-based agency performing assessments of persons with a documented mental illness to provide the office with the names of such who have been assessed and who meet the eligibility criteria for the array of funded and/or licensed housing programs; requires such office to publish such waiting lists on a monthly basis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health housing waiting lists to track access, improving patient access to community housing services within mental health system95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6522: Relates to Medicaid accountable care organizations

Bill A 6522 allows specific Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to purchase group health insurance policies for their members and employees. It permits ACOs comprised solely of private physician practices to offer experience-rated health insurance plans. The bill establishes requirements for these policies, including minimum coverage numbers and methods for premium payment. It also exempts qualifying ACOs from certain small group rating rules, provided they meet criteria such as having a minimum number of employers and a significant Medicaid patient base.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables Medicaid ACOs to offer experience-rated insurance plans, expanding coverage options and access for members while exempting them from restrictive rating rules.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4306: Requires patient hospital admissions form to allow patient to designate a domestic partner with the same privileges as a next-of-kin respecting authorizing surgery

Requires patient hospital admissions form to allow a patient to designate a domestic partner with the same privileges as a next-of-kin respecting visitation and the authorizing of surgery for a patient in the absence and unavailability of a next-of-kin or nearest relative where the patient has given no specific instructions and becomes unable to execute a health care proxy or make decisions about their health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient rights by allowing domestic partners to make healthcare decisions when patients cannot, aligning with protections for patient autonomy in healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8543: Directs the department of health to establish and maintain a menopause informational and resource webpage on the department website

This bill requires New York's Department of Health to create and maintain a dedicated webpage about menopause within 180 days. The webpage must provide clear information on menopause stages (perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause), treatment options, and associated symptoms or health complications. It directly serves the public - particularly individuals experiencing menopause - by offering accessible, official resources on a state government website. The law mandates specific content categories but does not alter existing healthcare services or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state health department to create public menopause resource webpage, improving access to health information and services for affected individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4500: Enacts the consumer wheelchair repair bill of rights act

Enacts the "consumer wheelchair repair bill of rights act" requiring manufacturers to make available certain documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools necessary for repairing equipment; establishes a timely repair for wheelchair program; deems all wheelchair repairs needed within 5 years of initial prescription medically necessary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures timely wheelchair repairs, extends warranties, and deems repairs medically necessary - improves access to essential medical equipment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8545: Relates to newborn screening for Gaucher disease

This bill requires all newborns in New York to be screened for Gaucher disease as part of routine newborn health testing. It directly affects newborns and their families by adding Gaucher disease to the state's mandatory screening panel under public health law. The key provision amends health law to mandate this specific test, ensuring early detection of this rare genetic metabolic disorder at birth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn screening for Gaucher disease, expanding public health prevention efforts to ensure early detection of rare genetic disorder.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8082: Relates to authorizing the release of certain records of deceased residents of mental health facilities to family members upon written request

This bill (S 8082) requires New York's mental health commissioner to create regulations allowing family members to access specific records of deceased residents at mental health facilities upon written request. The records include basic details (name, dates of admission/discharge/birth/death, cause of death), treatment history, employment, and residential history. It prohibits releasing records if the deceased had previously and formally objected in writing, and allows a qualified person (as defined in existing law) to object on behalf of someone who lacked decision-making capacity. The bill also permits physicians to request records for family members with a demonstrated medical need related to their own health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows family access to deceased mental health patient records, supporting transparency and patient rights in mental healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8061: Provides for mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of mental health, to make mental health counseling available to all correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides mental health support for correctional staff, enhancing facility safety and staff well-being within corrections - aligns with reform goals to improve system effectiveness and reduce incidents.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling access for correctional staff, directly advancing mental health services as a core healthcare component.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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