New York Senate Bill S09172

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/26
• Refer: 2/10/26

Caption

Provides that clinical laboratories may provide laboratory testing at the request of individuals, without a practitioner order or prescription, for certain types of cholesterol.

Summary

This bill would amend the Public Health Law to allow licensed clinical laboratories in New York to perform certain lipid screening tests directly at the request of an individual, without requiring a practitioner order or prescription. The authorized tests are limited to LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a), including direct or calculated LDL-related measurements. The bill requires laboratories to provide results to the individual in a clear and understandable format and to continue complying with existing state laboratory rules and federal CLIA requirements. It also makes clear that laboratories may not diagnose or treat disease, may not expand the scope of practice of health care professionals, and may not offer direct-access testing for any assays beyond those specifically listed.

Impact

The bill would create a new section of the Public Health Law authorizing direct-to-consumer access to a narrow set of cholesterol and lipid tests by licensed clinical laboratories. It would affect laboratory practice, consumer access to preventive screening, and the role of practitioners by removing the order requirement for these specific assays while leaving the broader physician-order framework intact for other tests. The bill would not alter licensure standards or authorize diagnosis or treatment by laboratories, and it would preserve existing compliance obligations under state law and CLIA.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally favorable and consumer-oriented, with an emphasis on expanding access to preventive cardiovascular screening. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support can be identified from transcripts or roll calls. The structure of the bill suggests a cautious approach, as it limits the authorization to a defined set of lipid tests and expressly preserves existing professional boundaries.

Contention

The main policy tension is between expanding direct access to health screening and preserving practitioner oversight of laboratory testing. Supporters would likely view the bill as improving convenience, early detection, and patient autonomy for cholesterol-related risk assessment, while potential critics may worry about fragmented care, misinterpretation of results, or bypassing clinician guidance. The bill addresses some of those concerns by limiting the scope to specific assays and stating that laboratories may not diagnose or treat disease or expand the scope of practice of licensed health professionals.