§ 20-9-205 - Powers and duties of the State Board of Health. - Arkansas Statutes

20-9-205. Powers and duties of the State Board of Health.

(a) In carrying out this subchapter, the State Board of Health is empowered and directed to:

(1) Require such reports, make such inspections and investigations, and prescribe and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations as it finds necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter;

(2) Provide methods of administration and appoint an administrator and other personnel of the Division of Health Facilities Services;

(3) Procure and pay for the temporary services of experts or consultants on a fee-for-service basis;

(4) Enter into agreements for the utilization of the facilities and services of other departments, agencies, and institutions, public and private;

(5) Accept on behalf of the state, and deposit with the Treasurer of State, any grant, gift, or contribution of funds made to assist in meeting the cost of carrying out the purposes of this subchapter, and expend such funds accordingly;

(6) Make an annual report to the Governor on activities and expenditures made pursuant to this subchapter;

(7) Procure the services of an attorney to assist the department in any legal work involved in carrying out the duties of the department and to pay for the services on a fee-for-service or retainer basis; and

(8) Prescribe and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations as are necessary to adopt a uniform billing form for hospitals within the state and to prescribe penalties for the failure or refusal to utilize and accept such forms. However, the form must be acceptable by Medicare and its intermediaries within the state and consistent with the form adopted at the federal level by Medicare and the National Uniform Billing Committee.

(b) The department shall adopt, promulgate, and enforce such rules, regulations, and standards as may be necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of this subchapter. The rules, regulations, and standards shall be modified, amended, or rescinded, from time to time, by the department as may be in the public interest.