Section 16-21-15-0.5 - Findings; applicability(a) The general assembly finds the following as it relates only to section 1 of this chapter: (1) A hospital merger may benefit the public by maintaining or improving the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health care services offered to the public.(2) Benefits resulting from a hospital merger may outweigh any anticompetitive effects of joining together competitors, including addressing unique challenges in providing health care services in rural areas.(3) It is in the state's best interest to supplant state and federal antitrust law with a process for regulatory approval and active supervision by the state department, as provided in this chapter.(4) It is the intent of the general assembly that this chapter immunize, to the fullest extent possible, the following from all federal and state antitrust laws:(A) The execution of merger agreements approved under this chapter and the transactions concerning the merger.(B) Postmerger activities supervised under this chapter.(b) This section applies only to merger agreements allowed under this chapter.Added by P.L. 62-2022,SEC. 2, eff. 3/10/2022.