Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 3374: Limits physician charges for missed appointments by patients

Relates to physician charges for missed appointments by patients; bars physicians from charging fees if a patient arrives on time for appointment but was not seen; requires written policy about missed appointments be prominently posted in patient waiting room and included in bills mailed to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient rights by prohibiting physician fees for on-time missed appointments, improving access to care without financial penalty.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4930: Makes certain fees and charges related to emergency medical services permanent

S 4930 makes certain fees charged for emergency medical services (EMS) permanent, replacing a temporary 4-year provision that was set to expire. The bill changes existing law to eliminate the expiration date for fees collected by municipalities or EMS providers under a 2022 law. This directly affects local governments and emergency medical service organizations that collect these fees. The key change is removing the automatic repeal after four years, ensuring these fees remain in place indefinitely. The bill does not create new fees or alter service requirements - only changes the duration of existing fee collection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents expiration of EMS fees, maintaining revenue streams for local governments and EMS providers, supporting fiscal stability and essential service funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill makes EMS fees permanent, ensuring continued funding for emergency medical services - a healthcare service - preventing revenue loss for providers and maintaining critical health service access.90% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1235: Establishes an Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program

Establishes an Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program for medical and non-medical professionals to promote earlier identification of Alzheimer's and to provide information and other assistance in finding community support for caregivers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Alzheimer's outreach/education program to improve early identification and caregiver support, strengthening healthcare access and services.90% confidence

Track

passed · New York · Assembly May 6, 2025

K 438: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in the State of New York

Bill K 438 is a resolution that formally requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in the State of New York. The resolution aims to encourage New York citizens to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Hepatitis C.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution promotes Hepatitis C awareness education, aligning with public health initiatives to improve community health knowledge and prevention efforts.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 911: Clarifies the definition of persons with a disability for purposes of the definition of special populations

Clarifies the definition of persons with a disability for purposes of the definition of special populations to include people with a mental health diagnosis, people on the office of mental health caseload, people with an intellectual, developmental or cognitive diagnosis, people with physical disability or mobility impairment, and people with a sensorial disability diagnosis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare eligibility by explicitly including mental health diagnoses in special populations definition, advancing access to services.85% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2664: Relates to emergency intervention for persons impaired by chemical substances

This bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to establish clear protocols for emergency intervention when someone is impaired by alcohol or substances and poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. It defines key terms like "incapacitated" and sets strict requirements: police or authorized personnel may transport such individuals to designated treatment facilities, where they must receive a medical evaluation within 12 hours and can be held for no more than 72 hours without consent. The law mandates safety measures during transport, requires discharge planning, and ensures individuals are released immediately if they no longer meet the impairment criteria. It directly affects people experiencing acute substance impairment, emergency responders, and certified treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill diverts substance-impaired individuals to treatment facilities instead of criminal processing, aligning with reform goals by prioritizing medical evaluation over incarceration and reducing potential criminal justice system involvement.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory medical evaluations within 12 hours for substance-impaired individuals, creating structured access to treatment facilities and strengthening emergency mental health intervention protocols.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6518: Requires persons prescribing or dispensing opioids to counsel patients about the potential addictive properties of opioids

Requires practitioners to provide counselling to patients about the potential addictive properties of opioids prior to prescribing such medications; requires pharmacists to provide counselling to patients about the potential addictive properties of opioids at the time a prescription for opioids is filled.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates patient counseling on opioid addiction risks, directly protecting patient safety and preventing misuse per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 1486: Enacts the "omnibus emergency services volunteer incentive act" to provide certain benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers

Enacts the "omnibus emergency services volunteer incentive act" to provide benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers; increases the personal income tax deduction after four or more years of service; exempts motor vehicles used in the performance of such volunteers' duties from registration fees, use taxes and special fees for volunteer license plates; authorizes the provision of municipal health insurance coverage to such volunteers; establishes a volunteer recruitment service loan forgiveness program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides tax deductions and vehicle fee exemptions, reducing state revenue through targeted tax breaks for volunteers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes municipal health insurance coverage for volunteer emergency workers, directly expanding health coverage access for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 2648: Relates to insurance coverage for dental night guards

Provides that dental insurance coverage shall include coverage for night guards; defines dental night guards; provides that dental night guards shall be covered under Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dental insurance coverage for night guards, including Medicaid, expanding health coverage under insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1617: Provides for automatic enrollment and recertification simplification for Medicaid eligible recipients

This bill simplifies enrollment and recertification for New York Medicaid recipients needing long-term care. It automatically assigns people requiring community-based long-term care for over 120 days to a managed care plan (based on prior care workers, quality, and location), unless they choose otherwise. It also allows certain groups - like those in managed long-term care plans, receiving personal care services, or getting fixed Social Security income - to recertify automatically without resubmitting resource documentation, using "attestation" instead. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens for both recipients and the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates Medicaid enrollment/recertification for long-term care, reducing administrative barriers and improving access to health coverage for eligible recipients without requiring resubmission.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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