1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to health; providing that health plan 
  1.3             companies are not eligible for the MinnesotaCare 
  1.4             antitrust exemption; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.5             section 62J.2913, subdivision 1. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62J.2913, 
  1.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subdivision 1.  [AVAILABILITY OF EXCEPTION.] Providers or 
  1.10  purchasers wishing to engage in contracts, business or financial 
  1.11  arrangements, or other activities, practices, or arrangements 
  1.12  that might be construed to be violations of state or federal 
  1.13  antitrust laws but which are in the best interests of the state 
  1.14  and further the policies and goals of this chapter may apply to 
  1.15  the commissioner for an exception.  A health plan company, as 
  1.16  defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 4, is not eligible to 
  1.17  apply for or receive an exception under sections 62J.2911 to 
  1.18  62J.2921. 
  1.19     Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  1.20     Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment 
  1.21  and applies to all applications for exemption made or pending on 
  1.22  or after that date.