Act of Jun. 7, 1923,P.L. 681, No. 279 Cl. 35 - HOSPITALS, PURCHASE OF Statute Update Generated 2015-01-29 09:57:16 AMHOSPITALS, PURCHASE OFAct of Jun. 7, 1923, P.L. 681, No. 279Cl. 35 AN ACT To enable an incorporated hospital association to acquire by lease or purchase any State owned hospital, specially devoted to the reception, care, and treatment of injured persons, or of any State owned general medical and surgical hospital; and to provide for the regulation and management thereof.Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., That the board of trustees of any State owned hospital, specially devoted to the reception, care, and treatment of injured persons, or of any State owned general medical and surgical hospital, is hereby authorized to enter into negotiations with an incorporated hospital association, representing the people of the community in which any such hospital is situate, looking to the transfer by lease or sale of the property of any such hospital to such incorporated hospital association.Section 2. Whenever such negotiations have been concluded, on conditions approved by the Department of Public Welfare and the Governor, the board of trustees of any such State hospital shall enter into an agreement, in writing, embodying the terms and conditions upon which the transfer of the property of such State hospital to the incorporated hospital association is affected. Said agreement shall be submitted to the Department of Public Welfare, and, if approved, in writing, by the Commissioner of Public Welfare and the Governor of the Commonwealth, said agreement shall thereupon become binding and effective. Compiler's Note: The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.Section 3. Immediately upon the transfer of the property of any State hospital as hereinbefore provided, there shall be appointed to manage such hospital a board of nine trustees, three to be appointed by the Governor and six by the incorporated hospital association. Of the trustees first appointed by the Governor, one shall serve for one year, one for two years, one for three years, and, upon the expiration of the respective periods and thereafter, the vacancy shall be filled by the Governor for a term of three years. Of the trustees appointed by the incorporated hospital association, two shall serve for one year, two for two years, two for three years, and, upon the expiration of the respective periods, vacancies shall be filled by the incorporated hospital association for a term of three years. Should any vacancy occur by the death, resignation, or incapacity of any trustees, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term of such trustee. The board of trustees shall manage and direct the affairs of such hospital, and make all necessary by-laws and regulations not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth.Section 4. Whenever a State hospital is transferred to an incorporated hospital association as hereinbefore provided, facilities of such hospital shall be extended to include all classes of medical and surgical work (except contagious disease), both for private and public charges: Provided, That no patient in need of medical or surgical treatment shall be refused admission to such hospital solely by reason of such patient's inability to pay for it.Section 5. The board of trustees of any such hospital as may be transferred to an incorporated hospital association under the provisions of this act is hereby authorized to collect funds for and extend the facilities of such hospital, either by alteration of an existing hospital building and equipment, or by the erection and equipment of new buildings suitable to the needs of the community, and subject to the approval of the Department of Public Welfare as now provided by law. Compiler's Note: The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.Section 6. The board of trustees of any such medical and surgical hospital transferred to an incorporated hospital association under the provisions of this act shall receive compensation from the State for services rendered to such indigent patients, upon the same terms as it now or shall hereafter compensate medical and surgical hospitals not under the exclusive control of the Commonwealth.