(a) There is established an Office of Health Strategy, which shall be within the Department of Public Health for administrative purposes only. The department head of said office shall be the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, with the powers and duties therein prescribed.

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(b) The Office of Health Strategy shall be responsible for the following:

(1) Developing and implementing a comprehensive and cohesive health care vision for the state, including, but not limited to, a coordinated state health care cost containment strategy;

(2) Promoting effective health planning and the provision of quality health care in the state in a manner that ensures access for all state residents to cost-effective health care services, avoids the duplication of such services and improves the availability and financial stability of such services throughout the state;

(3) Directing and overseeing the State Innovation Model Initiative and related successor initiatives;

(4) (A) Coordinating the state’s health information technology initiatives, (B) seeking funding for and overseeing the planning, implementation and development of policies and procedures for the administration of the all-payer claims database program established under section 19a-775a, (C) establishing and maintaining a consumer health information Internet web site under section 19a-755b, and (D) designating an unclassified individual from the office to perform the duties of a health information technology officer as set forth in sections 17b-59f and 17b-59g;

(5) Directing and overseeing the Health Systems Planning Unit established under section 19a-612 and all of its duties and responsibilities as set forth in chapter 368z;

(6) Convening forums and meetings with state government and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, to discuss health care issues designed to develop effective health care cost and quality strategies;

(7) Consulting with the Commissioner of Social Services, Insurance Commissioner and Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange on the Covered Connecticut program described in section 19a-754c;

(8) (A) Setting an annual health care cost growth benchmark and primary care spending target pursuant to section 19a-754g, (B) developing and adopting health care quality benchmarks pursuant to section 19a-754g, (C) developing strategies, in consultation with stakeholders, to meet such benchmarks and targets developed pursuant to section 19a-754g, (D) enhancing the transparency of provider entities, as defined in subdivision (13) of section 19a-754f, (E) monitoring the development of accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes in the state, and (F) monitoring the adoption of alternative payment methodologies in the state; and

(9) Assist local and regional boards of education in enrolling paraeducators for coverage under (A) the qualified health plans for which such paraeducator may be eligible under section 3-123l, (B) the Covered Connecticut program, established pursuant to section 19a-754c, or (C) Medicaid.

(c) The Office of Health Strategy shall constitute a successor, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39, to the functions, powers and duties of the following:

(1) The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, established pursuant to section 38a-1081, relating to the administration of the all-payer claims database pursuant to section 19a-755a; and

(2) The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, relating to the (A) development of a chronic disease plan pursuant to section 19a-6q, (B) housing, chairing and staffing of the Health Care Cabinet pursuant to section 19a-725, and (C) (i) appointment of the health information technology officer, and (ii) oversight of the duties of such health information technology officer as set forth in sections 17b-59f and 17b-59g.

(d) Any order or regulation of the entities listed in subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of this section that is in force on July 1, 2018, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.