The fight over health care coverage in New York is extending to pets.

A new bill introduced by state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Rockland) would bar pet insurers from denying medical coverage to dogs or cats with pre-existing conditions or illnesses — just like for people.

As it happens a growing number of pet owners are obtaining health insurance for their furry family members.

About 1.5 million dogs and 300,000 cats in the US were insured in 2017 and the market is growing, industry data show.

In New York, there were 179,133 pet insurance policies that year — second only to California, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

“Around New York, thousands of people have purchased pet insurance for their companion animals only to find that when their pet is injured or sick, their insurance company refuses to cover the cost of treatment or medicine, citing supposed preexisting conditions for the pet,” Skoufis said.

“Just as federal and state law now forbid denial of coverage or payment based on pre-existing conditions for humans, the law should forbid denial of coverage or payment based on pre-existing conditions for animals. Insurance companies collect millions of dollars in pet insurance premiums from New Yorkers; they should not be allowed to deny treatment to pets just when it is needed most.”

Skoufis said the restrictive policies are an industry standard and therefore a “massive problem.”

He joked about calling the pet-friendly measure “Skoufis Care,” a nod to the Affordable Care Act being called ObamaCare.

The average premium for accident and illness plans is about $516.

Many carriers exclude coverage for pets less than eight weeks old or older than 12 years. There may be limitations on coverage for hereditary or congenital conditions as well other pre-existing illnesses or cancers.

Pet owners now have to pay add-on costs to include cancer treatment and diabetes coverage, example.

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association had no immediate comment.