Sec. 10. Whenever a patient is admitted to the hospital from the county in which the hospital is situated, the superintendent shall inquire into the circumstances of the patient and of the relatives of the patient legally liable for the patient’s support. If the superintendent finds that the patient or the patient’s relatives are able to pay for care and treatment, in whole or in part, the superintendent shall direct the patient or the patient’s relatives to pay to the treasurer of the hospital a specified amount each week, in proportion to the patient’s or the patient’s relatives’ financial ability. The hospital has the same authority to collect from the estate of the patient, or the patient’s relatives legally liable for the patient’s support, as the township trustee as administrator of township assistance in similar cases. If the patient or the patient’s relatives are not able to pay, either in whole or in part, the care and treatment become a charge upon the county.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-11-6-9.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.167.