An Act to save lives by preventing unscrupulous medical referral restrictions by profit-driven health care networks

This bill aims to stop profit-driven health care networks from blocking doctors from referring patients to outside facilities. It allows the state insurance commissioner to penalize organizations that violate rules against restricting necessary medical referrals. The law specifically prohibits networks from stopping referrals to non-affiliated providers when a doctor believes it is in the patient's best interest or when the patient requests it. Additionally, the bill declares that any attempt to hinder these referrals based on network status is an unfair business practice. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to ensure patients can access medically necessary services ordered by their treating physicians without interference from health care provider groups.