(1) In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the MS-HIN shall have the following duties:

(a) Initiate a statewide health information network to:

(i) Facilitate communication of patient clinical and financial information;

(ii) Promote more efficient and effective communication among multiple health care providers and payers, including, but not limited to, hospitals, physicians, nonphysician providers, third-party payers, self-insured employers, pharmacies, laboratories and other health care entities;

(iii) Create efficiencies by eliminating redundancy in data capture and storage and reducing administrative, billing and data collection costs;

(iv) Create the ability to monitor community health status;

(v) Provide reliable information to health care consumers and purchasers regarding the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care, health plans and health care providers; and

(vi) Promote the use of certified electronic health records technology in a manner that improves quality, safety, and efficiency of health care delivery, reduces health care disparities, engages patients and families, improves health care coordination, improves population and public health, and ensures adequate privacy and security protections for personal health information;

(b) Develop or design other initiatives in furtherance of its purpose; and

(c) Perform any and all other activities in furtherance of its purpose.

(2) The MS-HIN board is granted all incidental powers to carry out its purposes and duties, including the following:

(a) To appoint an executive director, who will serve at the will and pleasure of the MS-HIN board. The qualifications and employment terms for the executive director shall be determined by the MS-HIN board;

(b) To adopt, modify, repeal, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of the MS-HIN;

(c) To establish a process for hearing and determining case decisions to resolve disputes under this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter among participants, subscribers or the public;

(d) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute contracts or other agreements with any federal or state agency, any public or private institution, or any individual in carrying out the provisions of this chapter; and

(e) To discharge other duties, responsibilities, and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(3) The executive director shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To employ qualified professional personnel as required for the operation of the MS-HIN and as authorized by the MS-HIN board;

(b) To administer the policies of the MS-HIN board; and

(c) To supervise and direct all administrative and technical activities of the MS-HIN.

(4) The MS-HIN shall have the power and authority to accept appropriations, grants and donations from public or private entities and to charge reasonable fees for its services. The revenue derived from grants, donations, fees and other sources of income shall be deposited into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury and earmarked for use by the MS-HIN in carrying out its duties under this chapter.