SB369 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Health care authorities, hospital, physicians, exclusive contracts, approval by medical staff of hospital, Sec. 22-21-318 am'd.

Summary

SB369 would require active outside medical staff with hospital privileges to approve exclusive group physician contracts and department closures at hospitals operated by Alabama health care authorities, by secret ballot.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 22-21-318 to require outside medical staff with hospital privileges to approve exclusive contracts for group physician services and any decision to close a medical staff department at authority-run hospitals. Approval must come from a majority of the active outside medical staff, determined by a secret ballot in an executive session, with notice given at least one week in advance and chaired by the longest-serving outside member. Physicians employed by the authority or contracted as independent contractors may not vote, and any contract or decision that lacks this approval would be void; the provision does not apply to contracts entered before March 1, 2021.

Who It Affects

• Outside medical staff with hospital privileges at hospitals operated by health care authorities, who gain a voting role to approve exclusive group physician contracts and department closures via secret ballot.
• Physicians employed by the authority or contracted as independent contractors, who are excluded from voting on these matters.
• Hospitals operated by health care authorities and their administrators, who must obtain outside medical staff approval before these contracts or closures can take effect.

Key Provisions

• Exclusive contracts for group physician services at authority-operated hospitals must be approved by a majority vote of the active outside medical staff by secret ballot in an executive session.
• Voting is limited to outside medical staff; physicians employed by or contracted with the authority cannot vote; any physician with a direct financial interest in the contract may not vote.
• The meeting must have at least one week's notice and be chaired by the longest-serving outside medical staff member or designee.
• If the approval is not obtained, the contract or decision is void; the provision does not apply to contracts entered before March 1, 2021.
• The bill preserves existing broad powers of health care authorities, while adding the required outside medical staff oversight for these specific actions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health Care Authorities