(1) There is created a department that, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 20.04(1), shall be called the Agency for Health Care Administration. (2) The head of the department is the Secretary of Health Care Administration, who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of and report to the Governor.
(3) The department shall be the chief health policy and planning entity for the state. The department is responsible for health facility licensure, inspection, and regulatory enforcement; investigation of consumer complaints related to health care facilities and managed care plans; the implementation of the certificate of need program; the operation of the Florida Center for Health Information and Transparency; the administration of the Medicaid program; the administration of the contracts with the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation; the certification of health maintenance organizations and prepaid health clinics as set forth in part III of chapter 641; and any other duties prescribed by statute or agreement. The department is the lead agency responsible for the regulation of hospices, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and adult family-care homes.
