8. a. The department, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall:
(1) design and implement the application process for approval of participating ACOs in the demonstration project;
(2) collect data from participants in the demonstration project; and
(3) approve a methodology proposed by the Medicaid ACO applicant for calculation of cost savings and for monitoring of health outcomes and quality of care under the demonstration project.
b. The department and the Department of Health shall be authorized to jointly seek public and private grants to implement and operate the demonstration project.