§ 2803-a. Authority to contract. Hospitals, including hospitals
described in subdivision ten of section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law,
are hereby authorized, under such rules and regulations as the council
may authorize, to enter into contracts and make arrangements among
themselves and among other municipal, state, federal or privately owned
hospitals, or any medical schools, or other health related facilities
having or utilizing hospital services or facilities or voluntary
ambulance services registered or certified pursuant to article thirty of
the public health law or nutrition programs that receive federal, state
or local government funding, whether or not located in this state or
elsewhere, for the

1. mutual use, or exchange of medical resources including, but not
limited to, real or personal property or employment of personnel;

2. joint purchases of goods, supplies and services; or

3. development of medical information, techniques and facilities
useful in the progress of the medical art; reduction of medical costs
and promotion of a more efficient and effective approach to the delivery
of health care services.

Any contract between any such hospitals and such voluntary ambulance
services shall be limited to joint purchases of goods and supplies
necessary for the support of such ambulance services or otherwise used
by such hospitals.