CHAPTER 670

S.P. 852 - L.D. 2110

An Act To Establish the Hospital and Health Care Provider

Cooperation Act

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 405-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 405-A

HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDER COOPERATION ACT

§1841. Short title

This chapter may be known and cited as "the Hospital and Health Care Provider Cooperation Act."

§1842.__Legislative findings and intent

The Legislature finds that it is necessary and appropriate to encourage hospitals and other health care providers to cooperate and enter into agreements that will facilitate cost containment, improve quality of care and increase access to health care services.__This Act provides processes for state review of overall public benefit, for approval through certificates of public advantage and for continuing supervision.__It is the intent of the Legislature that a certificate of public advantage approved under this chapter provide state action immunity under applicable federal antitrust laws.

§1843.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.