Title 31, Chapter 7, Section 406
( 31-7-406)
The purpose of the public hearing shall be to ensure that the
public's interest is protected when the assets of a nonprofit
hospital are acquired by an acquiring entity by requiring full
disclosure of the purpose and terms of the transaction and providing
an opportunity for local public input. The disposition of a
nonprofit hospital to an acquiring entity shall not be in the public
interest unless there has been adequate disclosure that appropriate
steps have been taken to ensure that the transaction is authorized,
to safeguard the value of charitable assets, and to ensure that any
proceeds of the transaction are used for appropriate charitable
health care purposes. Such disclosure shall address, at a minimum,
the following factors: (1) Whether the disposition is permitted under Chapter 3 of Title
14, the "Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code," and other laws of
Georgia governing nonprofit entities, trusts, or charities; (2) Whether the disposition is consistent with the directives of
major donors who have contributed over $100,000.00; (3) Whether the governing body of the nonprofit corporation
exercised due diligence in deciding to dispose of hospital assets,
selecting the acquiring entity, and negotiating the terms and
conditions of the disposition; (4) The procedures used by the nonprofit corporation in making its
decision to dispose of its assets, including whether appropriate
expert assistance was used; (5) Whether any conflict of interest was disclosed, including, but
not limited to, conflicts of interest related to directors or
officers of the nonprofit corporation and experts retained by the
parties to the transaction; (6) Whether the seller or lessor will receive fair value for its
assets, including an appropriate control premium for any
relinquishment of control or, in the case of a proposed
disposition to a not for profit entity, will receive an
enforceable commitment for fair and reasonable community benefits
for its assets; (7) Whether charitable assets are placed at unreasonable risk if
the transaction is financed in part by the seller or lessor; (8) Whether the terms of any management or services contract
negotiated in conjunction with the transaction are reasonable; (9) Whether any disposition proceeds will be used for appropriate
charitable health care purposes consistent with the nonprofit
corporation's original purpose or for the support and promotion of
health care in the affected community; (10) Whether a meaningful right of first refusal to repurchase the
assets by a successor nonprofit corporation or foundation has been
retained if the acquiring entity subsequently proposes to sell,
lease, or transfer the hospital to yet another entity; (11) Whether sufficient safeguards are included to assure the
affected community continued access to affordable care and to the
range of services historically provided by the nonprofit
corporation; (12) Whether the acquiring entity has made an enforceable
commitment to provide health care to the disadvantaged, the
uninsured, and the underinsured and to provide benefits to the
affected community to promote improved health care; and (13) Whether health care providers will be offered the opportunity
to invest or own an interest in the acquiring entity or a related
party, and whether procedures or safeguards are in place to avoid
conflict of interest in patient referrals. |