Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4744: Relates to insurance coverage for medical marijuana

This bill clarifies that medical marijuana, when dispensed under New York's medical marijuana program, must be treated as a "prescription drug" for coverage purposes under specific state programs, including Medicaid (title eleven of social services law), workers' compensation, and elder care programs. It requires these state-run programs to cover medical marijuana but explicitly states it does not mandate coverage by private insurers or health plans. The bill also adds a certification process for dispensaries to be recognized as medical assistance providers under state law. It applies to state programs only, not private insurance, and does not create new coverage requirements beyond the specified state-run systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires state programs (Medicaid, workers' comp) to cover medical marijuana as prescription drug, expanding patient access to prescribed treatment under public healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6168: Relates to coverage for single source drugs

Provides that every insurance policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall insure that there is continuous coverage of a single source drug that is part of a prescribed therapy until such prescribed therapy is no longer medically necessary for the enrollee of such policy; defines "single source drug".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuous insurance coverage for single source drugs in prescribed therapy, preventing coverage gaps and protecting patient access to necessary medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5882: Relates to payments by a pharmacy benefit manager to participating pharmacies

Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a participating pharmacy at minimum at the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) rate, or at the pharmacy acquisition cost rate if greater or there is not a NADAC rate, plus a professional dispensing fee that is at minimum the professional dispensing fee paid under the state medical assistance program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires fair pharmacy payments via minimum NADAC rates, preventing underpayment that could limit pharmacy access and services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 437: Requires a weekly update of the prescription drug retail price list

This bill requires New York's Department of Health to maintain a public online database showing pharmacy prices for the 150 most commonly prescribed drugs. Pharmacies participating in the state's medical assistance program must submit their actual retail prices for these drugs weekly through existing data systems or electronically if needed. The database must update prices at least once a week, providing consumers with current, transparent pricing information for common medications. This directly affects participating pharmacies and benefits consumers by making prescription drug costs more visible.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparent drug pricing database to improve consumer access to medication costs, directly supporting healthcare transparency and patient decision-making.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7562: Relates to requiring prescription drug containers be labeled with a description of the size, shape, color and imprint of the prescription drug it contains

Bill S 7562 amends existing law concerning prescription drug labeling. It requires pharmacists to include a physical description of the drug on the immediate container when dispensing a prescription. This description must specify details such as the drug's size, shape, color, and any identifying imprint. This new labeling requirement is in addition to existing information like the patient's name, prescriber, and directions for use, providing patients with more detailed identifying information about their medication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires detailed drug labeling for patient identification, enhancing medication safety and preventing errors per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4253: Establishes duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by such pharmacy refuse to fill prescriptions on the basis of personal beliefs

Establishes duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by such pharmacy refuse to fill prescriptions on the basis of personal beliefs; requires a pharmacy to ensure the prescription is filled by another pharmacist; requires the pharmacy to inform individuals of items not in stock; requires such items to be ordered by another pharmacist without delay; sets forth penalty provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pharmacies to ensure prescriptions are filled by another pharmacist when refused due to personal beliefs, directly improving patient access to medications and protecting healthcare rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7142: Relates to requiring certain health insurance issuers to certify that at least a majority of prescription drug rebates are provided to patients at the point of sale

Requires certain health insurance issuers to certify that at least a majority of prescription drug rebates are provided to patients at the point of sale.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers pass rebates directly to patients, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving medication access at point of sale.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1287: Relates to coverage for single source drugs

Provides that every insurance policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs shall insure that there is continuous coverage of a single source drug that is part of a prescribed therapy until such prescribed therapy is no longer medically necessary for the enrollee of such policy; defines "single source drug".

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuous insurance coverage for single source drugs in prescribed therapy, preventing coverage interruptions and protecting patient access to necessary medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3485: Relates to prescription drug formulary coverage for interchangeable biologics and biosimilars

This bill amends New York insurance law to require health insurers to allow patients to try cheaper interchangeable biologics and biosimilars before covering brand-name drugs. It updates prior authorization rules so insurers must consider these cost-saving alternatives when reviewing coverage for biologic medications. The law also allows insurers to move a drug to a higher-cost insurance tier only if a cheaper interchangeable biologic or biosimilar is simultaneously added to the plan's drug list. These changes directly affect patients seeking biologic treatments and insurers managing prescription drug coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to prioritize cheaper biosimilars over brand-name drugs, improving patient access and reducing costs for biologic medications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3555: Relates to establishing the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel

Relates to improving and expanding the pharmaceutical insurance coverage program for certain medicare enrollees; creates the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel, to be responsible for expanding pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates panel to expand pharmaceutical insurance coverage for Medicare enrollees, directly advancing medication access and coverage expansion per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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