Senate Insurance Committee advances multiple health-insurance bills in final May meeting

The New York State Senate Insurance Committee, chaired by Senator Jamal Bailey, met on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and advanced several bills requiring health-insurance coverage for particular treatments and services, the committee recorded during its final scheduled meeting of the year.

Committee members thanked staff and noted the committee’s work before turning to the day’s bills. Chair Senator Jamal Bailey opened the meeting and acknowledged committee staff: “you are. We appreciate you,” and later said staff “deserve all the flowers.” Several senators spoke in support of measures on the agenda and motions were made to report multiple bills to the Senate.

The committee considered bills introduced by multiple senators. Sponsors named on the record included Senator Lou Maxwell, Senator Bennett, and a senator identified as Bernardis; other sponsors and bill numbers were mentioned but not specified in the transcript. The measures discussed included proposals described on the record as requiring certain health-insurance policies to provide coverage for specified services; the transcript did not provide complete official bill titles or full descriptions for each item.

Motions were moved and seconded on multiple items and recorded by the clerk as reported out of committee. On one bill the record shows a motion moved by Senator McDonald and seconded by Senator Cooney; the committee noted the bill as reported. On another item a motion was moved by Senator Fennett and seconded by Senator Madavo; that motion likewise was recorded as reported. The transcript records senators saying “aye” for those motions and the clerk reporting the bills as recorded.

Senators on the dais included members identified in the transcript as Senators Ashby, Helming (noted as the committee’s ranking member), Fernandez, Adagel, and Cooney. Committee members commended sponsors; one senator praised a sponsor for framing a bill from a parent’s perspective and thanked attendees for their participation.

No floor vote totals, committee roll-call vote tallies, or complete bill numbers and official titles were available in the transcript. The committee’s clerk recorded the motions and the bills as reported out of committee for further action by the Senate.

The meeting closed with brief remarks of appreciation to staff and members. Specific next steps for each bill — including any required fiscal notes, committee amendments, or scheduled floor consideration — were not specified in the transcript.