Bill S.249, introduced by Senator Collamore, aims to facilitate collaboration among hospitals and health systems in Vermont while ensuring compliance with state and federal antitrust laws. The bill introduces a new section, 18 V.S.A. 9405d, which outlines the intent of the General Assembly to grant state action immunity to hospital collaborations that align with Vermont's health policy goals. It specifies that such collaborations must be authorized and supervised by the Secretary of Human Services, who will review proposals and initiatives to ensure they meet the state's health objectives. Additionally, the bill allows for the sharing of certain data among participating hospitals and health systems without violating antitrust laws.

The bill also amends existing antitrust provisions in 9 V.S.A. 2453 and 9 V.S.A. 2453a to exempt hospital and health system collaborations that comply with the new requirements from being classified as unfair competition or criminal collusion. This exemption is intended to encourage cooperative efforts that can lead to improved healthcare delivery and cost containment. The act is set to take effect upon passage, promoting a structured approach to hospital collaboration in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9-2453, 9-2453a