The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1)  Rhode Island has a proud history of health insurance companies including health insurance corporations, health maintenance organizations, nonprofit hospital service corporations, and nonprofit medical service corporations doing business in this state;

(2)  Nationally and regionally, private investment is being made that results in the conversion of not-for-profit into for-profit health insurance corporations, health maintenance organizations, hospital service corporations, and medical service corporations;

(3)  These health insurance organizations and corporations provide an important health insurance product in the community. There are concerns that for-profit health insurance organizations and corporations may engage in practices that affect the quality of the insurance coverage in the community as a whole and for more vulnerable members of society in particular;

(4)  In order to protect public health and welfare, it is necessary to establish standards and procedures for health insurance organizations and corporation conversions.