All appropriations to hospitals by the General Assembly shall be expended under the direction of the Governor and of the managers of such institutions, respectively, for the support of charity patients, and so used as to benefit the state as application is made from time to time, a report of which expenditures shall be made biennially to the General Assembly; but no part of such appropriations shall be paid to any of such hospitals unless the same is in actual operation, unless the purpose for which an appropriation is to be expended is for a building and is so specified in the act making such appropriation. Each such hospital receiving state aid shall be paid at a rate determined as provided by section 17b-239 for the care and treatment of any patient when such expense is to be paid from state funds either directly or through the agency of any town or organization.