Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7594: Relates to requiring insurers participating in the NY state of health marketplace to offer at least one dental plan for individuals age 65 and older

Senate Bill S 7594 requires health insurers participating in the New York State of Health marketplace to offer at least one dental plan. This bill specifically mandates that these plans be available for individuals aged 65 and older. It amends current public health law to ensure that qualified or approved dental plans are offered through the state's health insurance marketplace. The bill aims to provide more dental coverage options for senior citizens.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dental coverage expansion for seniors in NY health marketplace, directly increasing insurance options and access for vulnerable population95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5421: Designates Xylazine as a schedule III depressant

This bill adds Xylazine (a veterinary sedative sometimes misused in human drug markets) to New York State's Schedule III list of controlled substances under public health law. Schedule III classification means Xylazine will now be regulated similarly to drugs like anabolic steroids, requiring prescriptions for medical use and imposing stricter controls on distribution. The law directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and law enforcement by establishing new legal requirements for handling Xylazine. It takes effect 90 days after enactment, following its referral to the Health committee on February 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClassifies Xylazine under public health law to control misuse, directly addressing public health programs as defined in the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6222: Relates to establishing the "340B prescription drug anti-discrimination act"

Relates to establishing the "340B prescription drug anti-discrimination act"; prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against covered entities and New York state pharmacies based on participation in the drug discount program authorized by section 340B of the federal public health service act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents discrimination against 340B program participants, ensuring covered entities access discounted drugs to lower costs and improve patient medication access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3359: Expands health care services provided by telehealth

Expands health care services provided by telehealth to include services delivered through a facility licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law that is eligible to be designated or has received a designation as a federally qualified health center, including those facilities that are also licensed under article thirty-one or article thirty-two of the mental hygiene law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands telehealth access to federally qualified health centers and mental health facilities, improving patient access and strengthening mental health services coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Public Health Telehealth

Track

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

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3056: Relates to the continuity of family planning services in the state

Relates to the continuity of family planning services in the state; establishes a family planning program in the department of health to ensure the continuity of family planning services in the state; covers family planning providers who lost eligibility for federal funding under Title X of the Federal Public Health Service Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state program to maintain family planning services continuity after Title X defunding, protecting patient access to reproductive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

A 8052: Relates to notices of non-renewal provided to a health care professional by a health care plan

This bill requires health care plans (like insurers) to provide health care professionals with a written explanation and a 30-day review period before terminating or not renewing their contracts. It mandates a hearing panel composed of three licensed professionals - appointed jointly by the plan and the professional - to review termination decisions, ensuring impartiality and requiring decisions to be made within 30 days of a request. The bill explicitly prohibits termination for protected activities, such as advocating for patients, filing complaints, or requesting a hearing. It directly affects health care professionals and health care plans operating under New York’s public health and insurance laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates written explanations, 30-day reviews, and impartial panels for healthcare professional contract terminations, protecting providers from arbitrary decisions and ensuring service continuity.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates due process for health care professionals facing termination, including written explanation, 30-day review, impartial hearing panel, and prohibits termination for protected activities, strengthening worker protections in employment c...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1913: Relates to establishing the "340B prescription drug anti-discrimination act"

Relates to establishing the "340B prescription drug anti-discrimination act"; prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against covered entities and New York state pharmacies based on participation in the drug discount program authorized by section 340B of the federal public health service act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against 340B program participants, ensuring continued access to discounted drugs for covered entities and pharmacies, advancing patient access to affordable medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3430: Provides for payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals

This bill increases payments to rural critical access hospitals (CAHs) by setting their reimbursement rates at 101% of reasonable costs for covered services like emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient treatments. Starting April 1, 2027, these hospitals will receive payments calculated using the same method as Medicare uses for outpatient CAH services under federal law. The rate applies to services provided to patients eligible for state-funded payments under the public health law. Implementation depends on annual state funding appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases payments to rural critical access hospitals, ensuring stable funding for emergency/inpatient care services under public health law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6662: Relates to assaults on medical providers and employees and volunteers of hospitals

This bill (S 6662) expands legal protections by making assaults against specific healthcare personnel a more serious offense under New York's penal law. It directly affects medical providers (like doctors and nurses), hospital employees, and volunteers - such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nursing assistants, ambulance personnel, and hospital volunteers - as defined in public health law. The key change adds these individuals to the list of protected persons, making it a crime to assault them with intent to prevent them from performing their duties. The law also specifies that causing physical injury to these protected individuals during their work constitutes a punishable offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill elevates assaults on healthcare workers to a more serious offense under penal law, strengthening legal protections for medical personnel in criminal justice context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands legal protections for healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, volunteers) by classifying assaults against them as more serious offenses, directly strengthening healthcare delivery infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Public Health

Track