Chapter 5. Market Assistance Program For Long-term Health Care Facility Liability Insurance of California Insurance Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5.

As used in this chapter:
  (a) "Long-term health care facility" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1418 of the Health and Safety Code.
  (b) "Residential care facilities for the elderly" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1569.2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(a) If the commissioner finds after a public hearing that liability insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly is not readily available in the voluntary insurance market, and that the public interest requires this availability, the commissioner may authorize the formation of a market assistance program to assist in securing that insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly. The commissioner may require insurers, agents, and brokers to attend public hearings and meetings concerning either the need for a market assistance program or the organization and formation of a program. The commissioner may also assist in securing insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly for which commercial liability insurance is not readily available by forming a risk pooling arrangement as permitted by the Federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986.
  (b) The commissioner may develop appropriate standards and regulations to implement the market assistance program and risk pooling arrangement authorized by this section.

(a) The commissioner may order the creation of an unincorporated, not-for-profit, temporary joint underwriting association for liability insurance, constituting a legal entity separate and distinct from all its members. The purpose of the association shall be to provide a market for liability insurance on a self-supporting basis, without subsidy from association members.
  (b) If the commissioner determines after a public hearing that liability insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly is readily available through the voluntary market, the association created pursuant to subdivision (a) shall cease its underwriting operations.
  (c) The commissioner may develop appropriate standards and regulations to implement the joint underwriting association authorized by this section.