Relates to the N.Y. State Health Care Consumer and Provider Protection and Equity Act

3 Co-sponsors

• Susan John
• Albert A. Stirpe
• Mike Spano

1 Multi-sponsor

• David Koon

BILL NUMBER:A9871

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to the health care consumer and provider protection and equity act

Purpose

To allow physicians and dentists to negotiate collectively with employers.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 -- Creates a new Article 80 within the Insurance Law and eight sections within Article 80.

Section 8001 states the Legislative Findings justifying this legis- lation.

Section 8002 defines -- for purposes of this Article -- the terms "authorized third party" and "health care plan."

Section 8003 authorizes physicians to collectively negotiate with health benefit plans. Requires the physicians to provide notice and certain information to a state panel before negotiations. Establishes certain procedures that must take place before and during negotiations., States when the state panel shall approve a collectively negotiated contract.

Section 8004 establishes state panel hearing and review procedures.

Section 8005 allows the state panel to set fees for parties before the panel.

Section 8006 requires that parties negotiate in good faith.

Section 8007 states that nothing in this article. shall be construed to permit two or more physicians or dentists to engage in a joint cessa- tion, reduction or limitation of health care services.

Section 8008 states that nothing in this article shall affect any other collective bargaining rights under state or federal law.

Section 2 -- Effective date.

Justification

For New York to have an active and competitive free marketplace, New York's doctors and dentists must be able to collective- ly negotiate with managed care organizations. This legislation empowers these health care professionals to do just that.

Too, often, physicians and dentists receive unfair treatment from managed care organizations. This occurs because these professionals are unable to join together and collectively negotiate with these entities. By enacting this legislation, we can level the playing field, give doctors and dentists the power they deserve, and ensure that all New Yorkers receive high-quality health care services.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Local fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

180 days after it shall have become a law.