Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1687: Prohibits the packaging, sale and distribution of confectionery and candy designed to resemble a tobacco product

This bill bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of candy or confectionery products designed to look like tobacco products (such as candy cigarettes or gum cigars). It directly affects candy manufacturers, sellers, and retailers who produce or market items mimicking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. The law prohibits using tobacco-like packaging, branding, or descriptions, and violations carry civil fines of $100-$500. The policy change explicitly prevents candy resembling tobacco from being sold under existing confectionery laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces youth tobacco initiation by banning candy resembling tobacco products, directly supporting public health initiatives within healthcare policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6526: Ensures that the offices of mental health and people with developmental disabilities provide materials to individuals in different languages

Ensures that the office of mental health and the office for people with developmental disabilities provide materials to individuals in English and the top six languages spoken in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures multilingual access to mental health materials, improving patient access and inclusivity in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7681: Establishes mandatory minimum medicaid coverage for hospital confinement for childbirth

Requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by caesarean section; provides such coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates minimum Medicaid coverage for childbirth hospital stays, expanding insurance access and protecting patient rights for essential maternity care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Dec 5, 2025

A 5155: Relates to veterans health care

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention services, expanding coverage and access for veterans95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health, PTSD, suicide prevention, and reproductive care, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3127: Relates to workers' access to treatment

Allows for treatment costing less than $1,500 to be done without prior approval, and more clearly defines the list of "pre-authorized procedures" as a floor on treatment as opposed to its current status as a ceiling; allows non-network providers of testing to be compensated at the provider network rate negotiated by the carrier.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior approval for low-cost treatment, clarifies coverage floor vs ceiling, and ensures non-network compensation at network rates - improving patient access and coverage.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4254: Requires information made public by the state board of professional medical conduct and health information to be published in the 8 most spoken languages

Requires information made public by the state board of professional medical conduct and health information required to be made public by the department of health to be disseminated in both written and electronic form in the 8 languages that are most spoken in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health information dissemination in top 8 languages, improving access for non-English speakers and aligning with patient access indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 4719: Authorizes all municipalities to join a county self-funded or self-insured health plan

Authorizes all municipalities, with the consent of the county and the governing body of such municipality, to join a county self-funded or self-insured health plan; requires certification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables municipalities to join county self-funded health plans, expanding administrative options for employee healthcare coverage without restricting access or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6866: Provides treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to minors without a parent's or guardian's consent

Provides treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to minors without a parent's or guardian's consent; provides definition for health care practitioner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves parental consent barrier for minor STI treatment, directly improving access to critical healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3610: Establishes the rural suicide prevention council

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to identify barriers and improve rural mental health services, directly supporting mental health care access and suicide prevention programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5657: Enacts the interstate medical licensure compact

Enacts the interstate medical licensure compact; provides a streamlined pathway for medical professionals who are licensed in multiple states to obtain medical licensure in New York.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines medical licensure across states, improving provider access and patient care options in New York.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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