N.Y. Public Health Law § 4400: Statement of policy and purposes

§ 4400. Statement of policy and purposes. Encouraging the expansion of

health care services options available to the citizens of the state is a

matter of vital state concern. Without such an expansion, increased

health insurance and other benefits will continue to escalate the costs

of medical care and overload the health care delivery system. The health

maintenance organization concept, through which members of an enrolled

population are each entitled to receive comprehensive health services

for an advance or periodic charge, represents a promising new

alternative for the delivery of a full range of health care services at

a reasonable cost.

Accordingly, it shall be the policy of this state to expand the health

care services options available, and to assure greater choice in the

selection of a health care plan, by removal of legal and other

impediments to the development of competitive health maintenance

organizations acceptable to the public.

It is the intent of the legislature that the commissioner therefore

establish a comprehensive system of authorization and regulation of

health maintenance organizations in the state, as provided in this

article, in order to assure that health services of good quality be

provided to all citizens who choose to take advantage of that

alternative to meet their health care needs. The commissioner shall

cooperate with the superintendent of financial services and with other

state officials and agencies which establish standards and requirements

pertaining to the provision and financing of health care services in

order to assure necessary, equitable and consistent state supervision of

all health care systems without duplication of inspection or services.