Healthcare (Mental Health)

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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4844: Relates to enacting the health care worker peer support program

This bill establishes a state-funded program to provide peer support for healthcare workers' mental health. It creates a grant program through the Office of Mental Health, allowing eligible organizations (like hospitals or community groups) to apply for up to $250,000 each to develop peer-to-peer mental health support programs. The program requires training for peer volunteers in areas like stress and suicide prevention, while prohibiting the collection of personal health data from workers seeking support. The state appropriates $10 million to fund the program, which takes effect immediately. The bill directly affects healthcare workers by expanding access to confidential mental health support through their peers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants ($250k per organization) for healthcare worker mental health programs, directly advancing public service funding within budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-funded peer support program for healthcare workers' mental health through grants and training requirements, directly advancing mental health services within healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates state-funded peer support program for healthcare workers' mental health, directly enhancing workplace well-being and safety standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits collection of personal health data, protecting privacy per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 499: 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 HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services, expanding access to behavioral health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1964: Conforms and improves the process for determining incapacity

S 1964 updates New York's process for determining a patient's incapacity to make healthcare decisions, primarily affecting patients who cannot make their own medical choices and the healthcare providers involved. It requires an initial written determination by a treating doctor, followed by a second independent assessment by a qualified specialist (like a psychiatrist for mental illness cases or a developmental disability specialist) specifically for decisions about life-sustaining treatment. Hospitals must establish written policies outlining the training and credentials needed for staff making these concurring determinations. The bill aims to standardize and strengthen the review process while ensuring determinations are made by appropriately qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dual medical assessments for incapacity determinations, protecting patient rights in healthcare decisions90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6923: Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly permit students to miss school for mental or behavioral health reasons, directly affecting students, parents, and school districts. It requires the state education commissioner to establish rules governing such absences, similar to existing rules for religious observances. Schools must follow these rules when approving absences related to a minor's mental or behavioral health, rather than relying on general absence policies. The change does not create new mental health services but formalizes a pathway for students to miss school without penalty for these health needs. The bill focuses on attendance policy, not treatment access or school funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows mental health absences, reducing barriers to education access by mandating school policies that support student well-being without penalizing attendance.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly permits school absences for mental health, creating formal rules to support student access to care without penalty, aligning with mental health service support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 5296: Establishes Nicole's law, which provides for treatment of individuals with self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries

S 5296, "Nicole's Law," requires hospitals in the state to implement specific protocols for patients admitted with self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries like suicide attempts or drug overdoses. Hospitals must review a patient's history of such injuries, contact family/caregivers for background, and extend inpatient stays based on prior incidents. Upon discharge, hospitals must provide families with 48-hour notice, hold care planning meetings, connect patients to community-based mental health services, and schedule follow-up checks. The law also mandates clinical trials to offer crisis resources and referrals if participants disclose past suicide attempts. This directly affects hospitals, patients with repeated self-harm, and community mental health providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to implement mental health protocols for self-harm cases, enhancing patient care and community referrals per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 584: 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 & TaxesEstablishes student mental telehealth reimbursement fund, allocating state funds for school-based mental health services as a public health program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes telehealth mental health clinics in schools and creates a reimbursement fund, directly enhancing student mental health services and access within educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes telehealth mental health clinics in schools with dedicated funding, directly expanding access to mental health services through school-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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