The General Assembly recognizes that patient referrals by health care workers for health services to an entity in which the referring health care worker has an investment interest may present a potential conflict of interest. The General Assembly finds that these referral practices may limit or completely eliminate competitive alternatives in the health care market. In some instances, these referral practices may expand and improve care or may make services available which were previously unavailable. They may also provide lower cost options to patients or increase competition. Generally, referral practices are positive occurrences. However, self-referrals may result in over utilization of health services, increased overall costs of the health care systems, and may affect the quality of health care.
     It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide guidance to health care workers regarding acceptable patient referrals, to prohibit patient referrals to entities providing health services in which the referring health care worker has an investment interest, and to protect the citizens of Illinois from unnecessary and costly health care expenditures.
     Recognizing the need for flexibility to quickly respond to changes in the delivery of health services, to avoid results beyond the limitations on self referral provided under this Act and to provide minimal disruption to the appropriate delivery of health care, the Health Facilities and Services Review Board shall be exclusively and solely authorized to implement and interpret this Act through adopted rules.
     The General Assembly recognizes that changes in delivery of health care has resulted in various methods by which health care workers practice their professions. It is not the intent of the General Assembly to limit appropriate delivery of care, nor force unnecessary changes in the structures created by workers for the health and convenience of their patients.