March 10, 2026
Marcy Savage
Reid McNally Savage
Just before midnight last night, the Senate and Assembly released their respective One House budgets. We wanted to provide an initial update on NYSAFP’s top budget priorities as we continue our review.
Please find the Senate and Assembly’s actions on the following proposals detailed below. We will share further updates later this week as part of our comprehensive Health/Mental Hygiene update.
Doctors Across NY Funding
Both houses include $15.8 million for this program.
AHEC Funding
Both houses include $2.2 million for AHEC. Senate includes $500,000 as part of a lump sum for legislative restorations.
Physician Assistant Independent Practice
Senate: Rejects
Assembly: Rejects
Physician’s Excess Medical Malpractice Program
Senate: Rejects the program restructuring and restores cut. Extends the program through June 30, 2027.
Assembly: Rejects the program restructuring and restores cut. Extends the program through June 30, 2027.
Shifting Physicians and Certain Other Health Professions to DOH Oversight
Senate: Rejects
Assembly: Rejects
Prior Authorization Reforms
Senate: Accepts
Assembly: Modifies; Would allow prior authorization for patients undergoing treatment for a chronic health condition under the following circumstances: When nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines (1) recommend follow up care to assess possible negative side effects of a treatment, (2) change substantially, or (3) recommend a change in treatment based on a change to the chronic health condition.
Managed Care Proposals
Senate: Rejects Executive budget proposal to remove continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHP for children up to age 6. Rejects biomarker testing coverage changes proposed by Executive.
Assembly: Modifies biomarker testing coverage proposal to remove two criteria for coverage in Medicaid and rejects Executive budget proposal to remove continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHP for children up to age 6.
Assembly includes New Proposal to Create Essential Plan Contingency Fund
Would allocate $2.4 billion from the general fund if the federal government does not approve NY’s request to return to Basic Health Plan.
Senate includes New Proposal to Create Abortion Clinical Training Program
Includes new proposal consistent with S1438A supported by NYSAFP.
Senate includes New Proposal regarding Consent for Reproductive Healthcare
Includes new proposal to affirm consent can be given by any person.
Senate includes New Proposal for Gender Affirming Care
Includes new proposal for the Gender Affirming Care Access program supported by NYSAFP.
Senate includes New Proposal for OMIG Audit Reform
Includes new proposal with OMIG Audit Reform language consistent with comprehensive bill (S4955B) supported by NYSAFP.