(a) The Health Systems Planning Unit may employ the most effective and practical means necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter, which may include, but need not be limited to:
(1) Collecting patient-level outpatient data from health care facilities, as defined in section 19a-630 , and birth centers, as defined in section 19a-490 ;
(2) Establishing a cooperative data collection effort, across public and private sectors, to assure that adequate health care personnel demographics are readily available; and
(3) Performing the duties and functions as enumerated in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The unit shall: (1) Authorize and oversee the collection of data required to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (2) oversee and coordinate health system planning for the state; (3) monitor health care costs; and (4) implement and oversee health care reform as enacted by the General Assembly.
(c) The Commissioner of Health Strategy, or any person the commissioner designates, may conduct a hearing and render a final decision in any case when a hearing is required or authorized under the provisions of any statute dealing with the Health Systems Planning Unit.