New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 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.