There is hereby established in the department of health and senior services an “Office of Rural Health”. The office of rural health, under the supervision of the director of the department of health and senior services, shall assume a leadership role in working or contracting with state and federal agencies, universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations, and local health centers to develop rural health initiatives and maximize the use of existing resources without duplicating existing effort. The office shall provide a central information and referral source and serve as the primary state resource in coordinating, planning and advocating for the continued access to rural health care services in Missouri for the poor, the uninsured, the underinsured, the medically indigent, maternity, newborn, child care and for the elderly. The office shall:

(1) Educate the public and recommend appropriate public policies regarding the continued viability of rural health care delivery in Missouri and the quality and cost-effectiveness of such care and identify conditions obstructing or hindering that delivery of essential health care services to rural Missouri;

(2) Monitor and work with state and federal agencies to assess the impact of proposed rules and regulations on rural areas, streamline regulations to assist in the development of service diversification of health care facilities, and target state and federal programs to rural areas;

(3) Promote and develop diverse and innovative health care service models in rural areas;

(4) Encourage the use of advanced communications technology to provide access to speciality expertise, clinical consultation and continuing education;

(5) Assist rural health care providers, communities, and individuals in applying for public and private grants and programs;

(6) Disseminate information and provide technical assistance to communities, health care providers, and individual consumers of health care services;

(7) Report to the federal Office of Rural Health Policy concerning its activities and cooperate with rural health research centers established by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy;

(8) Biennially report its activities and recommendations to the governor and members of the general assembly on or before November fifteenth of odd-numbered years.