3.__Public hearings.__Prior to adopting the state health resource plan, the board shall conduct public hearings in different regions of the State on the proposed state health resource plan.__Interested persons must be given the opportunity to submit oral and written testimony.__Not less than 30 days before each hearing, the board shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the region the time and place of the hearing, the place where interested persons may review the state health resource plan in advance of the hearing and the place to which and period during which written comments may be directed to the board.

4.__Funds.__The board is authorized to accept and expend federal funds allotted or otherwise made available to states under the United States Public Health Services Act for the purposes of that Act and in accordance with that Act and applicable state laws, rules and fiscal policies or practices.

5.__Health workforce forum.__The board shall convene at least annually a health workforce forum to discuss health workforce issues.__The forum must include representatives from health professionals and health education programs.__The forum shall:

A.__Develop an inventory of present health workforce and education programs;

B.__Develop research and analytical methods for understanding population-based health care needs on an ongoing basis; and

C.__Determine the appropriateness of forming a federation of licensing boards to facilitate communication across medical disciplines.

Through the forum, the board shall serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to health workforce issues.__The board shall use the information gathered through the forum to form its health policy and planning decisions authorized under this chapter.

§9810.__Global budget

Before January 1st of each year, the board shall prepare a global budget for all health care expenditures under the plan.__ The global budget must include the cost of all services and benefits provided under the plan, administrative costs, data