AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requirements for approval for merger and consolidation of certain health care providers by the public health and health planning council. An applicant that proposes to merge, consolidate, partner, acquire through the establishment of control, or proposes any other transaction or affiliation with other health care providers governed under this article, that such merger, consolidation, acquisition, or other transaction or affiliation with other health care providers governed under this article, shall improve access to medically underserved individuals, lower the costs to consumers, advance the public health goals of the state, and the applicant shall not increase charges for services that exceed the consumer price index for medical care for the five years immediately following any approval of such merger, consolidation, acquisition, or other transaction or affiliation.