NY State Senate Bill 2025-S8334

Senate Bill S8334

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Relates to insurance reimbursement for vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 03, 2025	referred to rules

2025-S8334 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Insurance Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L; amd §365-a, Soc Serv L

2025-S8334 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires insurance reimbursement for vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

2025-S8334 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8334

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the insurance law and the social services law, in
relation to insurance reimbursement for vaccination for severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would include vaccines against SARS CoVID-2 virus on the list
of vaccines which the Commissioner of Insurance must mandate for cover-
age by health insurance providers within the State of New York and
Include vaccines against SARS CoVID-2 virus on on the list of what Medi-
caid must cover for an enrollee who receives such a vaccine at a pharma-
cy

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section One. Amends Clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph 17 of
subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, covering for-profit

individual health plans.

Section Two. Amends Clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph 8 of
subsection (I) of section 3221 of the insurance law, covering for-profit
group plans.

Section Three. Amends Subparagraph (C) of paragraph 2 of subsection (j)
of section 4303 of the insurance law, covering nonprofit health plans
and health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

Section Four. Amends Paragraph (v) of subdivision 2 of section 365-a of
the social services law, covering Medicaid.

Section Five. Provides for an effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In light of recent and conflicting guidance from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS)-which has modified its COVID-19 vaccine
recommendations by no longer advising routine vaccination for healthy
children and pregnant individuals-it is imperative for New York State to
enact legislation that ensures health insurance providers continue to
cover the COVID-19 vaccine. This mixed messaging from federal health
authorities risks undermining public confidence and access, making it
all the more essential for the state to step in to safeguard public
health, maintain equitable vaccine access, and uphold its commitment to
preventive care.

Despite the HHS's updated stance, COVID-19 continues to pose significant
health risks. Children, while generally experiencing milder symptoms,
can still suffer severe outcomes and contribute to community trans-
mission. Pregnant individuals face increased risks of complications from
COVID-19, and vaccination has been shown to confer protective benefits
to both mothers and their infants. State-level legislation ensuring
vaccine coverage reinforces New York's proactive approach to mitigating
these risks and protecting vulnerable populations.

The HHS's decision may lead to inconsistencies in vaccine availability
and coverage across states. By proactively legislating insurance cover-
age for the COVID-19 vaccine, New York can preempt potential gaps
resulting from reduced federal support, ensuring continuity in vaccine
access and public health initiatives.

State legislation mandating insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines can
bolster public confidence in vaccination programs. It sends a clear
message about the state's trust in the safety and efficacy of vaccines,
countering potential misinformation and hesitancy that may arise from
changing federal guidelines.

In response to the HHS's revised COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, it is
crucial for New York State to enact legislation that mandates health
insurance coverage for the vaccine. Such action will ensure equitable
access, protect public health, uphold preventive healthcare standards,
address potential federal support gaps, and reinforce public confidence
in vaccination efforts. By taking this step, New York reaffirms its
commitment to the health and well-being of all its residents.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January after it shall have
become a law

2025-S8334 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8334
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               June 3, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  insurance  law  and the social services law, in
   relation to insurance reimbursement for vaccination for  severe  acute
   respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Clause  (iii)  of  subparagraph  (B)  of  paragraph  17  of
 subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as amended by chap-
 ter 219 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   (iii)  necessary immunizations, as determined by the superintendent in
 consultation with the commissioner of health,  consisting  of  at  least
 adequate  dosages of vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, SEVERE ACUTE
 RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2, tetanus,  polio,  measles,  rubella,
 mumps,  haemophilus  influenzae  type  b and hepatitis b, which meet the
 standards approved by the United States public health service  for  such
 biological products.
   § 2. Clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph 8 of subsection (l)
 of  section  3221 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the
 laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   (iii) necessary immunizations, as determined by the superintendent  in
 consultation  with  the  commissioner  of health, consisting of at least
 adequate dosages of vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, SEVERE  ACUTE
 RESPIRATORY  SYNDROME  CORONAVIRUS  2, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella,
 mumps, haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis  b,  which  meet  the
 standards  approved  by the United States public health service for such
 biological products.
   § 3. Subparagraph (C) of paragraph 2 of subsection (j) of section 4303
 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011,  is
 amended to read as follows:

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13303-01-5
 S. 8334                             2

 
   (C)  necessary  immunizations,  as determined by the superintendent in
 consultation with the commissioner of health,  consisting  of  at  least
 adequate  dosages of vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, SEVERE ACUTE
 RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2, tetanus,  polio,  measles,  rubella,
 mumps,  haemophilus  influenzae  type  b and hepatitis b, which meet the
 standards approved by the United States public health service  for  such
 biological products.
   §  4.  Paragraph  (v)  of subdivision 2 of section 365-a of the social
 services law, as added by section 4 of part B of chapter 58 of the  laws
 of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
   (v)  administration  of  vaccinations, CONSISTING OF AT LEAST ADEQUATE
 DOSAGES OF VACCINE AGAINST DIPHTHERIA, PERTUSSIS, SEVERE  ACUTE  RESPIR-
 ATORY  SYNDROME  CORONAVIRUS 2, TETANUS, POLIO, MEASLES, RUBELLA, MUMPS,
 HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B AND HEPATITIS B, WHICH MEET THE  STANDARDS
 APPROVED  BY THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FOR SUCH BIOLOGICAL
 PRODUCTS, in a pharmacy by a certified pharmacist within  [his  or  her]
 THEIR scope of practice.
   § 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January after it shall
 have  become  a law and shall apply to any contract entered into, deliv-
 ered, amended or modified on or after the date it takes effect.

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