New York Assembly Bill A08004

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/21/25
• Refer: 4/21/25
• Report Pass: 5/19/25
• Refer: 5/19/25
• Report Pass: 5/21/25

Caption

Prohibits approved organizations providing coverage under the child health insurance plan from discriminating against health care providers which do not participate in the organization's health care network.

Impact

The implications of this bill are significant as it aims to expand the rights of health care providers to practice without the constraint of being tied to specific networks, which can often limit their capabilities to serve patients adequately. By preventing discrimination based on network participation, the bill could help mitigate the challenges faced by providers who do not align with certain organizations, ensuring that all qualified practitioners can offer their services to children under the insurance plan.

Summary

Bill A08004, introduced in the New York Assembly, seeks to amend the public health law by prohibiting approved organizations under the child health insurance plan from limiting the participation of certain health care providers based on their non-participation in the organization's health care network. The legislation emphasizes the importance of allowing a broader range of caregivers to provide necessary health services to children insured under this plan, thereby potentially increasing accessibility to care and enhancing treatment options for families.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from various stakeholders, particularly insurance organizations that benefit from restricting a provider's participation for network coherence and cost-efficiency purposes. These groups may argue that A08004 could lead to increased healthcare costs or inefficiencies within the system. However, proponents contend that enhancing provider diversity and access ultimately fosters better health outcomes for insured children, making the case that the bill addresses a crucial gap in child healthcare availability.