Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8839: Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurance discrimination for mental health/substance use disorders, aligning with federal parity laws to protect patient rights and expand coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4512: Relates to the ability for school districts to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics

Grants school districts the ability to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics; establishes the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund; relates to funding the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a student mental telehealth reimbursement fund, allocating state budget resources to fund school-based mental health services as a public health initiative.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds telehealth mental health clinics in schools, enhancing student mental health support as part of educational access and student programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates telehealth mental health clinics in schools with dedicated funding, expanding student access to mental health services per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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passed · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 4867: Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions

Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits step therapy barriers for serious mental health coverage, improving patient access and protecting treatment rights under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 2033: Relates to the protection and promotion of the mental health of the residents of New York state

Requires parity in the mental and physical health treatment of the residents of New York state; provides that both mental and physical health "will be matters of public concern and provision therefor shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health parity with physical health and requires state provision for mental health services, directly advancing mental health care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1792: Enacts the "ensuring access to behavioral health act"

Enacts the "ensuring access to behavioral health act"; includes mental health services, substance use disorder treatment services and recovery support services to network adequacy requirements for insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates inclusion of mental health/substance use services in insurance network adequacy, expanding coverage and access per healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 8484: Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of therapy or psychotherapy services

Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of therapy or psychotherapy services by prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to assist in providing supplementary support where the session is recorded or transcribed unless the patient is informed of the specific purpose of such use and consents of such use; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions; excludes religious counseling, peer-support, and self-help materials and educational resources from such provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits unconsented AI use in therapy sessions, requiring patient consent for recorded/transcribed AI assistance, protecting patient rights in mental health services.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient consent for AI use in therapy sessions, protecting data privacy in healthcare technology applications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4009: Relates to covering mental illness under the healthy New York program

This bill (S 4009) requires insurers and certain health corporations to cover the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions under the Healthy New York program. It amends insurance law to mandate this coverage in group/school blanket policies, individual policies, and health service contracts for inpatient care or physician services. The key provision directly affects insurers, medical expense indemnity corporations, and health service corporations offering these specific plans. It ensures policyholders receiving these insurance types have access to mental health care as part of their coverage, without adding new exemptions or cost-sharing requirements. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover mental health diagnosis/treatment under Healthy New York, expanding coverage and strengthening mental health services per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5361: Provides for a minimum reimbursement rate for ambulatory behavioral health services

This bill (S 5361) requires health insurers in New York to reimburse licensed behavioral health providers (under public health or mental hygiene laws) for ambulatory behavioral health services at a minimum rate equivalent to what the state's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) pays for similar services. It applies to all health insurance policies covering medical, major medical, or comprehensive coverage, including group plans and health maintenance organizations. Insurers may negotiate higher rates with providers but cannot pay less than the Medicaid-equivalent rate established under the Ambulatory Patient Group (APG) methodology. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, for all new or renewed policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to reimburse behavioral health providers at Medicaid rates, improving access to mental health services and strengthening coverage under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1712: Relates to including the services and care of school psychologists under Medicaid

This bill (S 1712) requires Medicaid to cover services provided by school psychologists certified under education law, where those services would otherwise qualify for Medicaid coverage. It directly affects students receiving psychological services in schools and school psychologists who provide those services. The key provision adds a specific category to Medicaid coverage, clarifying that such services must be covered without altering the scope of practice defined for school psychologists under education law. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Medicaid to cover school psychologists' services, expanding student access to mental health support in schools without altering scope of practice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include school psychology services, directly supporting mental health access for students without altering scope of practice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1430: Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days

This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment for at least 45 days, directly affecting individuals seeking addiction care. It mandates that coverage includes unlimited medically necessary treatment in residential settings for inpatient care and prohibits insurers from applying stricter financial or treatment limits (like prior authorization) to substance use disorder services than those applied to standard medical care. The law applies to both hospital and medical insurance policies, ensuring consistent coverage without extra hurdles for addiction treatment. This creates a concrete policy change by standardizing minimum coverage duration and removing discriminatory restrictions in insurance practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance abuse treatment coverage, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 45-day coverage for substance abuse treatment, prohibits stricter limits than medical care, expanding access to addiction services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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