Dirigo Health is established as an independent executive agency to arrange for the provision of comprehensive, affordable health care coverage to eligible small employers, including the self-employed, their employees and dependents, and individuals on a voluntary basis. Dirigo Health is also responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of health care in this State. The exercise by Dirigo Health of the powers conferred by this chapter must be deemed and held to be the performance of essential governmental functions. [PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8 (NEW).]