Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8286: Establishes staffing standards for physical therapists and therapist assistants, occupational therapists and therapy assistants, respiratory therapists and therapy technicians and recreational therapists

Includes physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, respiratory therapists, respiratory therapy technicians, and recreational therapists within the existing statutory staffing standards for nursing homes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates staffing standards for therapists in nursing homes, directly improving care quality and safety in healthcare settings per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 357: Relates to certified registered nurse anesthetists

Defines the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetist; requires collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to determine the need for anesthesia services; requires licensing; defines qualifications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes licensing and physician collaboration requirements for nurse anesthetists, ensuring qualified care delivery and patient safety within healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1407: Relates to the practice of pharmacy and administration of immunizations

This bill authorizes licensed pharmacists to administer flu vaccinations to individuals aged nine years or older. It amends the education law to explicitly permit pharmacists to provide flu shots without requiring a separate physician order for this specific service. The change directly affects pharmacists by expanding their scope of practice and the public by increasing access to flu vaccinations for children (starting at age 9) and adults at pharmacies. This is a straightforward policy update that modifies existing law to allow broader flu shot availability through pharmacy settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to administer flu shots to children (age 9+) without physician orders, expanding public access to vaccinations and increasing healthcare service availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9148: Relates to the use of fluoroscopy by physician assistants

This bill allows licensed physician assistants in New York to use fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging) during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, but only after completing specific training. It requires physician assistants to finish an approved 80-hour program (40 hours didactic + 40 hours clinical) and pass a competency exam. The law directly affects physician assistants seeking to perform fluoroscopy-guided procedures, expanding their scope of practice under these defined conditions. It does not change existing licensing for radiographers or nuclear medicine technologists. The training requirements must be approved by the New York State Department of Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands physician assistant scope of practice for fluoroscopy-guided procedures after training, improving provider capacity for diagnostic/therapeutic care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

A 5460: Allows medical assistants to administer vaccines

This bill allows medical assistants to administer vaccines in outpatient clinics under the direct supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It requires that vaccines be recommended by the CDC and that medical assistants complete appropriate training and supervision as defined by state regulations. The law directly affects medical assistants, healthcare providers, and patients in outpatient settings by expanding the scope of practice for medical assistants in vaccine administration. It amends the Education Law and Public Health Law to establish these specific conditions for vaccine delegation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands vaccine access by allowing medical assistants to administer under supervision, improving patient access to immunization services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 13, 2026

S 3503: Requires cardiac fitness certificates for interscholastic athletes in all public schools

This bill requires all public school student athletes in New York to obtain a yearly cardiac fitness certificate before participating in interscholastic sports. The certificate, signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, must include the results of an electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram and confirm the student has no heart conditions that could cause serious health risks during athletic activity. It applies directly to every public school student joining sports teams, mandating annual medical evaluations rather than relying solely on standard physicals. The law aims to identify cardiac risks through specific diagnostic tests, ensuring student safety before athletic participation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates preventive cardiac screenings (EKG/echo) for student athletes, enhancing health safety protocols and access to medical evaluations per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4612: Includes coverage of treatment rendered by a massage therapist

Bill S 4612 amends the workers' compensation law to include coverage for treatment provided by licensed massage therapists. It defines "massage therapist" and adds them to the list of authorized healthcare providers within the workers' compensation system. Under this bill, an injured employee can receive massage therapy if prescribed or referred by an authorized physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or nurse practitioner. Massage therapists rendering such treatment would be required to maintain patient records. However, their reports or opinions would not be considered evidence of the causal link of an injury to a work accident or occupational disease, nor evidence of disability, under this law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' compensation health coverage to include licensed massage therapy services, increasing access to alternative treatments for injured workers under prescribed care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation benefits to include licensed massage therapy for work injuries, strengthening treatment access and recovery support for injured workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6525: Enacts the New York state nursing shortage correction act

Enacts the New York state nursing shortage correction act; creates statewide nursing recruitment incentive and retention pilot initiatives; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention account.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses nursing shortage via recruitment incentives and retention programs, directly improving healthcare workforce access and services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates nursing recruitment/retention incentives and funding account, directly supporting workforce stability in healthcare employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3902: Requires nebulizers on school grounds; appropriation

S 3902 requires New York schools with school nurse services to maintain a nebulizer on-site for student emergencies, available for students with a doctor's order. It mandates that schools train at least one staff member in nebulizer operation for all school events and athletic competitions, and include nebulizer instruction in health classes for senior high schools when CPR is taught. The state will reimburse schools for the costs of purchasing, maintaining, and training related to these requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state reimbursement for school nebulizer costs, directly funding a health program through appropriations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school nebulizers for student respiratory emergencies, requires staff training, and provides state reimbursement - directly enhancing school health services access and emergency care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4715: Establishes the nurse loan repayment program

Establishes the nurse loan repayment program; authorizes the commissioner to award loan repayment awards to nurses serving in underserved areas or nursing homes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nurse loan repayment for underserved areas/nursing homes, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and access to services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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