It is illegal to conspire to unreasonably restrain trade or commerce, monopolize markets or create price-fixing schemes, and engage in other anti-competitive practices. This subtitle does not make illegal the activity of an insurer or rating organization, to the extent that the activity is regulated by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner or authorized by the Insurance Article or any other law of the State; a hospital, in the course of a merger or consolidation or the joint ownership and operation of major medical equipment, to the extent that the activity is approved by the Maryland Health Care Commission.