One of the three major causes of accidental death in New York state is burn injury, and one of the contributing factors to the high mortality rate from burn injuries is the lack of trained individuals and available facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victims of burn injury. In order to provide for the improved delivery of medical care to the victims of burn injury in the state, the department of health shall have the central and comprehensive responsibility for the development and administration of the state's policy with respect to medical care of victims of burn injury.
New York Legal Code