Bill > A03862

This bill aims to increase transparency about hospital rule-based exclusions, which are criteria or policies that restrict a hospital from providing certain types of care or serving specific patient categories. The bill requires the New York State Commissioner of Health to collect and publish a comprehensive list of hospital rule-based exclusions on the department's website annually. Hospitals must provide a detailed list of their exclusions upon request, and the commissioner must create the list using standardized, patient-friendly language in consultation with health care experts and patient advocates. Additionally, the bill mandates that within one year and every five years thereafter, the commissioner submit a report to the state legislature analyzing how these exclusions impact patient access to care, including variations across different demographic groups. The legislation also requires insurance documents and hospital patient rights statements to include explanations of rule-based exclusions and link to the state's online list. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not permit discrimination in healthcare and does not reduce hospitals' liability for potential violations of state or federal law. The provisions will take effect 18 months after becoming law, with preparatory rulemaking allowed immediately.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3862