RURAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM.

(a) The system is designed to protect and enhance the rural health care delivery system by:

(1) establishing a statewide rural health care network;

(2) supporting funding to rural communities;

(3) enabling administrative simplification for the benefit of rural providers that participate in various health care plans; and

(4) ensuring the inclusion of consumer-oriented attributes considered important to a successful health care organization.

(b) The attributes described by Subsection (a)(4) include:

(1) consideration of patient rights;

(2) preservation of patient rights;

(3) preservation of the provider-patient relationship;

(4) emphasis on prevention and wellness;

(5) an appropriate credentialing and peer review program; and

(6) emphasis on quality improvement and disease management.