360.108.  Bonds or notes to finance self-insurance or risk management programs, effect of programs. — 1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in addition to other powers granted to the authority by sections 360.010 to 360.140, the authority shall have the power to issue bonds or notes for the purpose of making loans to, or purchasing the notes of, any educational institution or health institution for the purpose of funding any self-insurance program or obligation or risk management program for the educational institution or health institution for the educational institution or health institution relative to professional liability, general liability, tort claims, and related fees and expenses incurred in the defense and settlement thereof, including attorney's fees, including, but not limited to, the funding of any reserves under an indenture with respect to same and all related costs of such financing, including, but not limited to, all costs, charges, fees and expenses of underwriters, advisory lawyers, consultants, accountants and of the authority.  Bonds or notes issued pursuant to this section may be secured by a pledge of payments made to the authority by the educational institution or health institution, by the notes of the educational institution or health institution, or by pooling of such payments or notes of two or more such entities.  In connection with any financing pursuant to the power granted in this section, the authority shall have all power as set forth elsewhere in sections 360.010 to 360.140.

  2.  Any self-insurance program or obligation or risk management program funded pursuant to this section shall have the same effect as the purchase of insurance by the entity as otherwise provided by law, and, as to partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures or other entities or any public association, corporation or institution which is, or is owned or operated by, any political subdivision of the state which constitutes a participating educational institution or participating health institution shall have the same effect as a self-insurance plan adopted by the governing body of any political subdivision of the state.