Section 250.03. Public health system.

 

(1)  The department shall:

(a) Maintain a public health system in cooperation with local health departments; community organizations; and medical clinics that are operated by the governing bodies, or agencies of the governing bodies, of federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands located in this state.

(b) Serve as the state lead agency for public health.

(c) Assess the health needs in the state based on statewide data collection.

(d) Advise the legislature on the development of an adequate statutory base for health activities in the state.

(e) Establish statewide health objectives and delegate power to local health departments to achieve the objectives as the department considers appropriate.

(f) Support local public health service capacity building through grants, consultation and technical assistance.

(g) Develop policy and provide leadership in public health throughout the state that fosters local involvement and commitment, that emphasizes public health needs and that advocates for equitable distribution of public health resources and complementary private activities commensurate with public health needs.

(h) Distribute state and federal public health funds under its control in a manner that will promote the development and maintenance of an integrated system of community health services.

(i) Require, as a condition for distributing funds under par. (h) at the local level, that services at that level be coordinated.

(j) Advocate for the provision of reasonable and necessary public health services.

(k) Promote cooperation and formal collaborative agreements among any of the following with regard to public health planning, priority setting, information and data sharing, reporting, resource allocation, funding, service delivery, and jurisdiction:

1. The state.

2. Local health departments.

3. Federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands located in this state.

4. The federal Indian health service.

(L) Perform or facilitate the performance of all of the following services and functions:

1. Monitor the health status of populations to identify and solve community health problems.

2. Investigate and diagnose community health problems and health hazards.

3. Inform and educate individuals about health issues.

4. Mobilize public and private sector collaboration and action to identify and solve health problems.

5. Develop policies, plans, and programs that support individual and community health efforts.

6. Enforce statutes and rules that protect health and ensure safety.

7. Link individuals to needed personal health services.

8. Assure a competent public health workforce.

9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.

10. Provide research to develop insights into and innovative solutions for health problems.

(2)  The department may enter into agreements and provide consultation on matters relating to human health.

(3)  

(a) No later than 90 days after a state of emergency relating to public health is declared and the department is designated under s. 323.10 as the lead state agency to respond to that emergency and no later than 90 days after the termination of this state of emergency relating to public health, the department shall submit to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the governor a report on all of the following:

1. The emergency powers used by the public health authority or its agents.

2. The expenses incurred by the public health authority and its agents in acting under the state of emergency related to public health.

(b) Biennially, after first consulting with the adjutant general, local health departments, health care providers, as defined in s. 146.81 (1) (a) to (p) , and law enforcement agencies, as defined in s. 165.77 (1) (b) , the department shall submit to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the governor a report on the preparedness of the public health system to address public health emergencies.

1993 a. 27 ; 2001 a. 109 ; 2005 a. 198 ; 2009 a. 28 , 42 .