§ 2803-a. Authority to contract. Hospitals, including hospitals described in subdivision ten of section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law, are hereby authorized, under such rules and regulations as the council may authorize, to enter into contracts and make arrangements among themselves and among other municipal, state, federal or privately owned hospitals, or any medical schools, or other health related facilities having or utilizing hospital services or facilities or voluntary ambulance services registered or certified pursuant to article thirty of the public health law or nutrition programs that receive federal, state or local government funding, whether or not located in this state or elsewhere, for the

1. mutual use, or exchange of medical resources including, but not limited to, real or personal property or employment of personnel;

2. joint purchases of goods, supplies and services; or

3. development of medical information, techniques and facilities useful in the progress of the medical art; reduction of medical costs and promotion of a more efficient and effective approach to the delivery of health care services.

Any contract between any such hospitals and such voluntary ambulance services shall be limited to joint purchases of goods and supplies necessary for the support of such ambulance services or otherwise used by such hospitals.