Votes at a glance: health committee advances telehealth, PBM and evidence‑review bills
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Summary
In addition to measures sent to first reading, the committee reported S3359 (telehealth reimbursement extension to 2028), S5939B (minimum PBM reimbursement rates), and a set of bills concerning the Evidence Based Benefit Review Advisory Committee (EBRAQ); these items were advanced by voice votes or sent to finance as noted.
The standing committee on health also handled several other bills and bill sets during the February 4 meeting. Summary of committee actions below:
• EBRAQ / services law amendments (identified in the transcript as a bill set numbered roughly "121225") — Description: would require periodic reviews tied to the Evidence Based Benefit Review Advisory Committee (EBRAQ) for applications related to new health technologies or medical‑evidence reviews. Action: moved and discussed; procedural confusion about scheduling was recorded and the item was advanced according to committee procedure as noted on the record.
• S.3359 — Telehealth reimbursement expansion: The committee advanced a bill to amend the Public Health Law and related 2022 provisions to expand telehealth reimbursement, including reimbursement parity for commercial and Medicaid services for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) through 2028. Senator Steck moved and Senator May seconded; the measure was sent to finance.
• S.5939B — Pharmacy reimbursement minimums (PBMs): A bill to set minimum reimbursement standards for participating pharmacies was introduced; Senator Ryan moved and Senator May seconded; the committee approved the bill and it was reported to first reading.
All measures above were acted on by voice votes in committee; the transcript contains no roll‑call tallies or detailed fiscal analyses for these items. Each will be considered in subsequent legislative steps where committees or floor calendars may provide further debate, amendments or recorded votes.
