§ 2901. General powers and duties. The department of health is
generally authorized and empowered (a) to inventory existing hospitals
of every character in the state, to survey the need for construction of
hospitals and to develop programs for construction of such public or
other nonprofit hospitals as will afford, in conjunction with existing
facilities, the necessary physical facilities for furnishing adequate
hospital services to all the people; and (b) to carry out the plan for
construction of public and nonprofit hospitals and related facilities in
accordance with such program.

The department of health shall also (a) keep records of all its
activities; (b) prepare and maintain current progress information on
development programs, hospital construction and current hospital
facilities; (c) maintain liaison with federal officials and agencies
concerning hospitals and hospital planning; (d) have all other powers
necessary to carry out any state plan adopted in conformity with the
provisions of federal law relating thereto and, to effectuate the
provisions of this section, take all necessary steps to conform to the
requirements of the federal law concerning inventory, survey, planning
and construction of hospitals; (e) establish rules and regulations
relating to the administration of the provisions of this section.

The department of health shall also establish rules and regulations
with regard to hearings which it must allow to every construction
applicant who may be dissatisfied with action on its application.