(1)    Statement of purpose. This subsection is a guide to the interpretation and application of sub. (2). Payment for adequate health care services is a problem of great social importance, with many ramifications. New and better methods of payment for and delivery of health care services are needed. It is hereby stated to be the public policy of this state to encourage the formation of nonprofit hospital service insurance corporations under this chapter, on an economically sound basis, in the hope that they may ease the burden of payment for hospital services and health care for large numbers of the population, without any burden on the public treasury and free from the profit motive. If such corporations can contribute to the solution of such serious social and economic problems, they merit the support of the state. It is the policy of this state that such corporations should develop without changing the status of voluntary hospitals and that, by enabling many citizens to procure adequate hospital services for themselves, they should leave the hospitals more able to provide subsidized services to those unable to pay.

   (2)   Authorization. Nonprofit hospital service insurance corporations may be organized under this chapter to establish, maintain and operate service plans to implement sub. (1).

   (3)   Continuation. Any corporation existing under s. 182.032, 1973 stats., prior to May 5, 1976 is deemed to have been organized under this section.