Section 2999-F. Authorizations

1.  The  commissioner may contract with
  projects and provide grants to support projects to the extent funds  are
  appropriated for such purpose.
    2.  Upon the request of a sponsoring health plan, the commissioner may
  authorize the participation of the  Medicaid,  family  health  plus  and
  child  health  plus  programs  in  one  or  more demonstration projects,
  provided that enrollee participation shall be on a voluntary basis.
    3. The commissioner may contract with  entities  possessing  expertise
  deemed necessary to assist in the evaluation of the metrics developed by
  the  workgroup  and  individual  project designs to the extent funds are
  appropriated for such purpose.
    4. The commissioner shall report to the governor and  the  legislature
  on  or  before  March  first,  two  thousand  six, on the results of the
  commissioner's workgroup, and shall report within  three  years  of  the
  effective  date  of  this  title,  and  again  six  months  prior to the
  expiration date of this title, on the number of  demonstration  projects
  chosen  and  on  the  operation  and effectiveness of each demonstration
  undertaken, together with any  recommendations  the  commissioner  deems
  appropriate.
    5. Nothing in this title shall:
    (a)  diminish or waive any right, remedy or benefit of any health care
  provider, consumer, enrollee, or recipient under the provisions of  this
  chapter, the insurance law or the social services law; or
    (b)  diminish,  waive,  or provide any exemption from any provision of
  the anti-trust or trade regulation laws  of  the  state  or  the  United
  States; or
    (c)  diminish,  waive  or  supersede  any  provision  of an applicable
  collective bargaining agreement.
    6. This title shall expire on April first, two thousand eleven.
    * NB Expires April 1, 2011