CHAPTER 330

AN ACT to amend and reenact §§ 32-293.1 and 32-294 of the Code
of 1950, relating to contracts for hospitalization of the med-
ically indigent and eligibility for such hospitalization.

[S 105]
Approved April 5, 1950

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 32-293.1 and 32-294 of the Code of 1950 be amended
and reenacted as follows:
§ 32-293.1. Contracts with * hospitals.—All contracts made
for hospitalization, care and treatment hereunder * shall provide
that: (1) the county or city from which any patient is sent shall
be notified by the hospital attending physician if such patient re-
quires hospitalization beyond a two week period commencing with
the entry of such patient: (2) if such additional stay be required,
such stay * shall be at the expense of the county or city sending
such patient, provided that one-half of such costs shall be defrayed
by the State as herein provided. In no case shall any county or
city be liable for the care or treatment of any patient retained for
teaching purposes and in such event such care and treatment shall
be borne by the retaining hospital.

§ 32-294. Eligibility for hospitalization.—The eligibility of
persons for hospitalization to be furnished wholly or in part at
public expense, shall be determined by an authorizing agent, duly
designated and appointed by the governing body of each county
or city, who shall be empowered by the appointing governing body
to carry out the provisions of this chapter as they appear. Due
notice of such appointment shall be made by the governing body
to the board. No person shall be denied hospitalization solely on
the ground that he is not otherwise eligible for public relief.

A medically indigent resident of a county or city is defined as
any person domiciled in such county or city who has resided in *
this State for the preceding twelve months, whether gainfully em-
ployed or not and who, either by himself or by those upon whom
he is dependent, is unable to pay for the hospitalization required.*