§ 36-1. Eligibility for free treatment at city hospitals.

(a)

Generally. All hospitals and clinics owned and operated by the city for the treatment of the sick and injured shall be primarily for charity patients, and it shall be the duty of the director of health and hospitals to determine whether any person making application at these hospitals for observation and treatment is a subject of charity, but no person shall be admitted into these hospitals who has not been a continuous resident of this city for at least one year preceding the date of application, except in cases of emergency.

(b)

Application for free treatment. Each applicant desiring free treatment shall furnish a sworn statement to the director of health and hospitals certifying that he is unable to pay for care at the hospital. Each applicant shall further furnish by sworn statement such proof as may be required from time to time by the director of health and hospitals showing the applicant to have been a continuous resident of this city for at least one year.

(c)

Rules and regulations. The director of health and hospitals is hereby authorized to make such reasonable rules and regulations as are deemed necessary to determine whether an applicant is eligible for hospital treatment as a charity patient.

(d)

Giving false information. Any person who knowingly gives false information on any statement submitted pursuant to this section shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in section 1-17.

(Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 19.1)

State law reference

City's authority to acquire hospitals, RSMo 82.240.

Cross reference

Administration, ch. 2.