§ 20-7-302 - Purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

20-7-302. Purpose.

The General Assembly finds that as a result of rising health care costs, the shortage of health professionals and health care services in many areas of the state, and the concerns expressed by care providers, consumers, third-party payors, and others involved with planning for the provision of health care, there is an urgent need to understand patterns and trends in the availability, use, and costs of these services. Therefore, to establish an information base for patients, health professionals, and hospitals, to improve the appropriate and efficient usage of health care services, and to provide for appropriate protection for confidentiality and privacy, the Division of Health of the Department of Health and Human Services shall act as a state health data clearinghouse for the acquisition and dissemination of data from state agencies and other appropriate sources to carry out this subchapter.