For the purpose of this article the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
- (1) LOCAL AGENCY. Any county existing or hereafter created pursuant to the laws of this state.
- (2) INDIGENT. Any person who has resided continuously in this state for not less than one year and who is acutely ill or injured and can be helped markedly by treatment in a hospital, but who is unable to pay the cost of such hospitalization from his own resources or from the resources of those upon whom he is legally dependent.
- (3) DEPARTMENT. The Department of Human Resources.
- (4) HOSPITAL. Any state, county, municipal or other public or private hospital licensed under the laws of this state, except a hospital, whether public or private, which is operated primarily for the care and treatment of tuberculosis, mental disorders or any other such chronic disease or illness.
- (5) REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. Any hospital that provides services to patients who reside in counties other than the county in which the hospital is located.
(Acts 1979, No. 79-808, p. 1487, §3.)