§393-2  Findings and purpose.  The cost
of medical care in case of sudden need may consume all or an excessive part of
a person's resources.  Prepaid health care plans offer a certain measure of
protection against such emergencies.  It is the purpose of this chapter in view
of the spiraling cost of comprehensive medical care to provide this type of
protection for the employees in this State.  Although a large segment of the
labor force in the State already enjoys coverage of this type either by virtue
of collective bargaining agreements, employer-sponsored plans, or individual
initiative, there is a need to extend that protection to workers who at present
do not possess any or possess only inadequate prepayment coverage.



This chapter shall not be construed to diminish
any protection already provided pursuant to collective bargaining agreements or
employer-sponsored plans that is more favorable to the employees benefited
thereby than the protection provided by this chapter or at least equivalent
thereto, provided that presently existing collective bargaining agreements
shall not be affected by the provisions of this section. [L 1974, c 210, pt of
§1; am L 1978, c 199, §1]