Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1708: Provides for payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals

This bill increases payments to rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals (CAHs) under New York's public health law. It sets payment rates for services like emergency care, inpatient stays, and outpatient treatments at 101% of the hospitals' reasonable costs, aligning with federal payment standards for similar facilities. The change applies to CAHs providing services to patients covered by the federal health program referenced in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Implementation depends on state budget appropriations, with the policy taking effect on April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for rural hospitals by setting payments at 101% of costs, directly advancing public health budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases payments to rural CAHs to 101% of costs, ensuring funding stability and improved access to critical healthcare services in rural areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3176: Requires the commissioner of education to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services

Requires the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services to identify concerns in students' mental health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mental health screening guidelines for students, enhancing student support services within schools per education topic description.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates development of model mental health screenings and guidelines for school screeners to identify student mental health concerns, directly advancing mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 2655: Relates to insurance coverage for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

S 2655 requires health insurance plans to cover rehabilitation treatment for children diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Insurance companies must provide this coverage when a child's doctor certifies in writing that the treatment is medically necessary. The bill applies to all health insurance policies, including group plans, directly affecting families with children who have PANS and the insurance providers. It references an existing definition of PANS from New York's public health law to ensure consistent application.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for PANS rehabilitation treatment, expanding patient access to medically necessary care for children with this condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Public Health

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8334: Relates to insurance reimbursement for vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

S 8334 requires health insurance plans to cover all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (SARS-CoV-2), adding it to a list of mandatory immunizations already covered by New York insurance law. This affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients by mandating reimbursement for the vaccine without cost-sharing. The bill amends multiple sections of New York’s insurance and social services laws to include "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" in required coverage, aligning with federal standards for biological products. It applies to all insurance contracts effective January 1 after the law takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccine without cost-sharing, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 3, 2025

S 7166: Authorizes the presence of epinephrine auto-injector devices on pre-school premises

This bill allows preschools to keep epinephrine auto-injector devices (for severe allergic reactions) on-site. It directly affects preschool facilities and their staff by expanding existing public health law to explicitly include preschools in the list of authorized locations for these devices. The key change adds "pre-school facilities" to the current list of places permitted to have such emergency allergy equipment, alongside schools, camps, and other childcare settings. This makes it easier for preschools to quickly access life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands public health access by requiring preschools to maintain epinephrine auto-injectors for allergic emergencies, directly improving emergency care availability in childcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6546: Prohibits the ownership, operation or control of pharmacies by pharmacy benefit managers

This bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) - companies that manage prescription drug coverage for insurers - from owning, operating, or controlling pharmacies directly or indirectly. It applies to all entities (including corporations and associations) currently violating this rule, requiring them to sell their pharmacy holdings within three years. The law defines "pharmacy benefit manager" using an existing public health law definition. This creates a clear separation between PBMs and pharmacies, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest in drug pricing and patient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from owning pharmacies to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring fairer prescription drug coverage and improving patient access to pharmacy services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1243: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community public health programs and services

This bill establishes a mandatory process for allocating $2.4 million in state funds for community public health programs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires the state to create an approved plan listing every recipient organization and exact funding amount (e.g., $60,000 to Northwell Health, $50,000 to Caribbean Women's Health Association) before disbursement. The plan must be approved by the Senate President, Budget Director, and passed by a Senate roll call vote. This replaces previous funding methods by mandating transparency and legislative oversight for all grantees, including cancer centers, LGBTQ+ health providers, senior services, and community health organizations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds community public health programs via mandatory allocation process for $2.4M state appropriation, ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency in spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.4M for community public health programs via mandatory grant plan, directly advancing healthcare funding and services as per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1265: Adopts the solemn covenant of the states to award prizes for curing diseases interstate compact

This bill establishes a multi-state agreement (compact) where participating states would create a commission to award prizes for medical treatments that successfully cure diseases. The commission would review submissions, set prices for cures based on manufacturing costs and estimated public health savings, and collect limited royalties from non-participating states or countries based on those savings. It directly affects participating states (which would fund the commission), medical researchers who develop cures, and public health systems by potentially lowering future treatment costs through prize-funded solutions. The framework focuses on creating standardized prize awards and pricing mechanisms across states, without directly funding research or altering existing healthcare programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates multi-state prize system funding medical research for disease cures, directly advancing public health initiatives through incentives and cost-based pricing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1794: Requires DOH to develop a payment methodology for federally qualified health centers and rural health centers that dispense ovulation enhancing drugs

Requires federally qualified health centers and rural health centers cover the cost of all ovulation enhancing drugs dispensed and other covered entities pursuant to section 340B of the federal public health service act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage of ovulation drugs for FQHCs/RHCs under 340B, expanding access to reproductive health services without cost barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 266: Relates to a religious exemption from vaccination requirements

This bill creates a religious exemption allowing children to attend school without required vaccinations if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs opposing the vaccines. It directly affects families seeking to exempt their children from vaccination requirements for school attendance. The key provision amends public health law to require schools to accept such religious exemptions without demanding a certificate, while still reporting immunization status for exempt children. The exemption covers vaccines for diseases like measles, polio, and pertussis, as specified in existing law. This changes school vaccination policy by adding a religious exception to the current immunization requirements.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill creates religious exemption from school vaccine mandates, weakening public health immunization requirements and potentially reducing community immunity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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