May 9, 2025
All SFY26 budget bills have passed in both houses and the bills have been delivered to the Governor for final action (signature and enactment). In the days to come we will share a summary document that brings it all together, that takes a focused look at Health/Mental Hygiene provisions, and compares final state budget outcomes to what was proposed by the Governor and the two houses, earlier this year. Yesterday we sent you the final Medicaid Scorecard that tracks all of the various Medicaid provisions in the soon-to-be-enacted state budget, showing the cost or savings to the state associated with each action.
The budget includes a 2.6% Targeted Inflationary Increase (flexible), new policies that expand use of Involuntary Commitment under certain conditions, and the use of MCO Tax revenue to fund various rate increases (promised in last year’s budget) for hospitals, nursing homes, long term care, and Article 28 clinics.
Unfortunately, the language embedded in our new-ish OMIG Audit Reform bill did not make it into the new budget and so we will aggressively pursue passage of our standalone bill, S4955A (Harckham) / A1069A (Paulin), along with passage of our new carve out bill that would remove most outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services from the state’s Medicaid managed care program. A8055 (Simon). (We are still waiting for the Senate version, sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk to come out with a bill number.)
In addition to the bills (directly above) that are high priorities for the NYS Council, we will continue to pursue solutions that rectify major problems associated with licensing and scope of practice laws and regulations that currently impede our ability to provide high quality, culturally competent services to New Yorkers seeking care. Over the weekend I will put out a list of these bills for you to review in anticipation of advocacy designed to get them to the finish line before the end of session.
Now that the budget has passed we will share lots of information regarding legislation (new and recurring) in areas of import to our members. Please take a look at the list below that is only a small representation of all of the bills to be considered this session. The bills below are on the agenda of various legislative committees next week.
Let us know if you are concerned with any of the bills (below). Full text of the legislation is available upon entering the bill number in the search field here: Click Here To Find Bill Text And Memo. Over the weekend, I will prepare a document that tells you more about the bills (below):
| S354 | RIVERA — Expands the healthcare services provided by telehealth Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 6334 Woerner SUMM : Amd §2999-dd, Pub Health L Expands the healthcare services provided by telehealth. Last Act: 01/08/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S845 | SALAZAR — Establishes the “Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act” Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 860 Rosenthal SUMM : Add §2509-b, Pub Health L Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing and screening of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing or screening is necessary for a medical emergency. Last Act: 04/29/25 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO HEALTH |
| S1633 | FERNANDEZ — Provides additional protections for sensitive health information and requires patients to have the right to restrict the disclosures of such patient’s health information Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 2613 Lunsford SUMM : Add §§25 & 26, Pub Health L Provides additional protections for sensitive health information and requires all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient’s health information; defines terms; provides for exceptions. Last Act: 01/13/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S1763A | FERNANDEZ — Relates to cost sharing fees for outpatient treatment at a substance use treatment program Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Insurance Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Chair 11:30 AM, Monday, May 12, 2025 Room 123 CAP Same as A 3148-A Gonzalez-Rojas SUMM : Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L Provides that for a substance use disorder outpatient treatment episode of care by a provider licensed, certified or otherwise authorized by the office of addiction services and supports, an insured shall only be responsible for a cost sharing fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars. Last Act: 01/29/25 AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE 01/29/25 PRINT NUMBER 1763A |
| S1814 | FERNANDEZ — Replaces the words addict and addicts with the words persons with substance use disorder or a variation thereof Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Chair 12 Noon, Monday, May 12, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 2398 Gallagher SUMM : Amd §35, Judy L; amd §§32.05 & 32.09, Ment Hyg L; amd §§3302, 3331, 3350, 3351 & 3372, Art 33 Title V Title Head, Pub Health L; amd §396-h, County L; amd §121, Gen City L Replaces the words addict or addicts with the words person with substance use disorder or a variation thereof. Last Act: 05/08/25 AMEND BY RESTORING TO ORIGINAL PRINT 1814 |
| S2224A | KRUEGER — Relates to reporting requirements on small nonprofits Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 509 LOB No same as SUMM : Amd §§1-e, 1-h & 1-j, Leg L Relates to reporting requirements on small nonprofits which lobby before the government. Last Act: 05/01/25 AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE 05/01/25 PRINT NUMBER 2224A |
| S2625 | FERNANDEZ — Relates to enhancing patient access to medication assisted treatment for treatment of opioid disease Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 3496 McDonald SUMM : Amd §§3331, 206 & 3381, Pub Health L; amd §§6801 & 6527, Ed L Allows a licensed pharmacist to prescribe and order FDA-approved medication assisted therapy under a non-patient-specific regimen for the treatment of opioid use disease. Last Act: 01/21/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S3883 | HINCHEY — Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 5432 McDonald SUMM : Amd §3351, Pub Health L Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder during certain emergency medical treatment, for use in maintenance or detoxification treatment, or to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms. Last Act: 01/30/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S3915 | ORTT — Enacts the psychology interjurisdictional compact, the recognition of emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact and the interstate counseling compact Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 4566 Miller SUMM : Add §§7608 & 8413, Ed L; add §3035, Pub Health L Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact (Part A); adopts the recognition of emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact (Part B); adopts the interstate counseling compact (Part C). Last Act: 03/19/25 NOTICE OF COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION – REQUESTED |
| S4747 | CLEARE — Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair 9:30 AM, Thursday , May 15, 2025 Room 813 LOB No same as SUMM : Add §19.18-d, Ment Hyg L Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes. Last Act: 02/12/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
| S4953 | HARCKHAM — Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair 9:30 AM, Thursday , May 15, 2025 Room 813 LOB Same as A 1712 Woerner SUMM : Add §19.18-d, Ment Hyg L Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and medical services integrated services to individuals who have significant addiction and medical issues. Last Act: 02/14/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
| S4956 | HARCKHAM — Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair 9:30 AM, Thursday , May 15, 2025 Room 813 LOB Same as A 2587 Kelles SUMM : Amd §19.18-c, Ment Hyg L Designates services to be provided by a jail-based substance use disorder treatment, peer led recovery support services, and transition services program as essential medical care services. Last Act: 02/14/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
| S5103 | HARCKHAM — Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair 9:30 AM, Thursday , May 15, 2025 Room 813 LOB No same as SUMM : Amd §804, Ed L Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs. Last Act: 02/19/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
| S5756 | CLEARE — Creates a transparency database for contracted not-for-profit organizations Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Procurement and Contracts Senator April N. Baskin, Chair 9:30 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 816 LOB Same as A 5677 Zinerman SUMM : Add §179-ff, St Fin L Creates a transparency database for contracted not-for-profit organizations; provides such database will include those that are in the process of being approved for contracts, that have received certificates of approval, are approved for contracts, have received renewal contracts, or have been the recipient of fully-executed contracts with the state of New York. Last Act: 02/28/25 REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS |
| S6266 | SALAZAR — Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 2044 Paulin SUMM : Amd §364-j, Soc Serv L; amd §4403-f, Pub Health L Establishes a quality incentive program for managed care providers that is distributed based on managed care providers’ performance in meeting quality objectives. Last Act: 03/07/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S6463 | CLEARE — Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Senator Julia Salazar, Chair 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 123 CAP Same as A 1390 Meeks SUMM : Add §72-d, amd §73, Cor L Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities; requires annual reporting on the number of such incarcerated individuals transferred. Last Act: 03/14/25 REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION |
| S6757 | FERNANDEZ — Relates to statewide opioid settlement agreements Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair 9:30 AM, Thursday , May 15, 2025 Room 813 LOB No same as SUMM : Amd §25.18, Ment Hyg L Clarifies that certain provisions related to statewide opioid settlement agreements shall cover settlements and releases related to any entities involved in the prescription drug marketing, supply and payment chain that may have contributed to the opioid epidemic through illegal conduct. Last Act: 03/24/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
| S6896 | BAILEY — Enacts the PTSD awareness and rehabilitation act Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Senator Julia Salazar, Chair 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 123 CAP Same as A 6649 Gibbs SUMM : Add §12, Cor L Enacts the PTSD awareness and rehabilitation act to require PTSD screening, provide trauma-informed education, and implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs to ensure incarcerated individuals receive proper support for mental health challenges. Last Act: 03/26/25 REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION |
| S7001 | MAYER — Relates to contracts between state agencies and not-for-profit organizations; repeals a provision of the state finance law relating thereto Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Procurement and Contracts Senator April N. Baskin, Chair 9:30 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 816 LOB Same as A 7616 Paulin SUMM : Amd §§179-q, 179-s, 179-u, 179-v, 179-z, 179-aa, 179-ee & 179-f, rpld §179-v sub 7, St Fin L Relates to provisions governing contracting between state agencies and not-for-profit organizations including new, renewal, and extension contracts and advance payments and interest for such contracts; repeals provisions relating to interest payments. Last Act: 03/28/25 REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS |
| S7136 | SKOUFIS — Enacts the psychology interjurisdictional compact Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP Same as A 6744 Simone SUMM : Add §7608, Ed L Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact to increase public access to psychological services by allowing telepsychological practice and temporary in-person services across state lines. Last Act: 04/01/25 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION |
| S7460 | RIVERA — Directs the commissioner of health to establish at least 4 maternal-infant care centers in areas of need for infants suffering from drug withdrawal as a result of in utero exposure Currently on Senate Committee Agenda Senate Standing Committee on Health Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair 12 Noon, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Room 124 CAP No same as SUMM : Add §2509-e, Pub Health L; amd §420, Soc Serv L; amd §1012, Fam Ct Act Directs the commissioner of health to establish at least 4 maternal-infant care centers in areas of need for infants suffering from drug withdrawal as a result of in utero exposure. Last Act: 04/17/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |