S1633A

The New York State Senate passed legislation allowing patients to opt out of including certain medical information in their health records, with a 37-21 vote along largely partisan lines. Sponsored by Sen. Fernandez, the bill permits patients to control what information healthcare providers can access, a measure supporters say protects sensitive data that could be weaponized across state lines—particularly regarding abortion and gender-affirming care. Sen. May cited scenarios where patients might fear seeking emergency care in hostile jurisdictions if their records revealed such procedures. However, opponents including Sen. Martins and Sen. Weik argued the measure could compromise patient safety by preventing doctors from accessing complete medical histories, potentially leading to harmful treatment decisions. Sen. Martins noted the state has invested significant resources in making medical records portable and accessible to ensure comprehensive care. The bill, which has backing from over 200 medical professionals according to its sponsor, takes effect immediately.