Health care facilities could not block some outside provider referrals

A licensed health care facility could not prohibit a referral from an independent or outside primary care provider. This applies to health care facilities licensed under the cited chapter and referrals from independent or outside primary care providers. The facility and the specialist must both accept the patient's insurance. The act would take effect 60 days after passage.

The attorney general could enforce the referral rule. A facility that violates it would face a $100,000 fine per violation; a nonprofit facility could also lose its state nonprofit status. These penalties apply to health care facilities that violate the referral rule. Loss of nonprofit status applies only if the facility is a nonprofit. The act would take effect 60 days after passage.