No license to operate a hospital may be issued or renewed by the department of health pursuant to this chapter, and a license which has been issued shall be subject to revocation or suspension, if:

1. (1) There is an acquisition of a hospital without first having received the approval of the agency under this part;
2. (2) There is an acquisition of a hospital without the approval of the attorney general, if the attorney general determines that a review of the application is appropriate under this part;
3. (3) There is an acquisition of a hospital and the attorney general disapproves the acquisition and there is a judicial determination that the acquisition is not in the public interest; or

4. (4) The hospital is not fulfilling its commitment under section 323D-77 or is not following procedures or safeguards required under section 323D-77(4).

   This section does not limit the right to a hearing or the right of appeal for a hospital from such decision.

[L 1998, c 257, pt of §1]