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Who cares
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Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law and chapter 363 of the laws of 1998, amending the education law relating to state university health care services and facilities, in relation to state university health care services and facilities and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
This bill enhances the ability of the SUNY Hospitals to be more competitive within their respective regions. It allows them to enter into beneficial healthcare networks and contractual agreements that are necessary if these hospitals are to continue to offer the quality health care services that their communities have come to expect and need. Given the changing nature of health care services, insurance coverage and government support systems, these changes are critical for the continued success of these institutions. It is essential that the management of these hospitals have the ability to act quickly and efficiently in the interest of their patients and their organization. The amendments add legislative intent consistent with the original law and provides for a sunset provision effective April 1, 2012.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 provides legislative intent.
Read the full memo (656 words)
Section 2 clarifies the definition of a clinic to limit it to a facility licensed as a diagnostic and treatment center.
Section 3 of subdivision 16 of section 355 of the education law, as added by chapter 363 of the laws of 1998 is amended by adding a new subdivision 19 which makes technical corrections concerning the types of business relationships hospitals may enter into. Allows the SUNY Trustees to raise the threshold for competitive bidding for specific services to $500,000 and for goods to $2.5 million. However, it limits the types of services that this contractual arrangement can be made for consulting type services. Allows for the acquisition of facilities through the participation in a network, exempts certain contracts from competitive bidding but provides notice to employee's bargaining units of such contracts and allows that certain contracts can contain the provision that some or all disputes will be settled by binding arbitration.
Section 4 states that Public Officers Law provisions prohibiting disclosure of confidential information by SUNY officers or employees do not apply to information relating directly to the university's participation in contracts authorized by this bill. It also provides for the delegation to the president of the appropriate SUNY campus the authority to serve on the governing body of the hospital and to appoint directors on a board of a corporation which governs a network or other joint or cooperative arrangement authorized under the flexibility legislation.
Section 5 states that confidential information about another business entity with which a SUNY hospital might develop a business relationship shall not be considered a public record under the Freedom of Information Law.
Section 6, Severability Clause.
Justification
This bill augments, strengthens and clarifies the legislation enacted in 1998 granting SUNY hospitals more management flexibility to enter into managed care contracts and to participate in health care networks. It recognizes and builds on the recommendation of the Price Waterhouse Study commissioned by SUNY. Amendments to the bill eliminate language regarding the process for determining pay differentials in the event that both Civil Service and SUNY should recommend differentials that are inconsistent with each other. SUNY and the Civil Service department now have a working agreement to address this issue and statutory language is no longer necessary. A second amendment clarifies the relationship between SUNY and not-for-profit that are controlled by SUNY.
Legislative history
S.7134-A of 1998, S.4889-A of 2001-2002, S.286-B of 2003-2004; S.1225 of 2005-2006; S.5354 of 2007-2008.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed April 1, 2012, provided that any contracts entered into prior to the expiration and repeal of this act shall continue in full force and effect and continue to be subject to the provisions of this act.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.