2955 - Restraint of trade by networks and network participants.

§ 2955.  Restraint of trade by networks and network participants.  The  activities of rural health networks and providers participating therein,  undertaken  in  furtherance  of  planning,  implementing  or operating a  network or promoting the efficient delivery of health care services in a  rural area, shall be exempt from the provisions and penalties of article  twenty-two of the  general  business  law  respecting  arrangements  and  agreements  in  restraint  of  trade.    No hospital, physician or other  licensed or certified health care provider operating in  good  standing,  serving  the  area  of  the  network,  and willing to meet the terms and  conditions of the network as defined  in  the  network  plan,  shall  be  denied  the  ability  to  participate  therein. Nothing contained herein  shall be construed to require a hospital to grant  admitting  privileges  to  a  physician  solely because such physician is a participant in or a  member of the network.