South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-31 - Health Care Cooperative Agreements
Chapter 1 - PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS, APPLICABILITY
Section 61-31.1.101 - Purpose

These Regulations implement the legislative intent that there be a state regulatory program to permit and encourage cooperative agreements between hospitals, health care purchasers, or other health care providers which would otherwise violate federal or state anti-trust laws when the benefits outweigh disadvantages caused by their potential adverse effects on competition.

This is encouraged because the cost of improved technology and scientific methods contribute significantly to the increasing cost of health care; and cooperative agreements among hospitals, health care purchaser, and other health care providers will foster improvements in the quality of health care for South Carolinians.