§22-21-210. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, unless otherwise indicated, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

(1) 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.

(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) PHYSICIAN. Any person who has been duly licensed to practice medicine in the State of Alabama.

(4) PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL. Any hospital, as defined by this section, which has been accepted for participation in the hospital service program for indigents.

(5) PARTICIPATING COUNTY. Any county in which the county commission of the county certifies in writing to the State Board of Health not later than January 1 of each year, that the county does desire to participate in the hospital service program for indigents during the current fiscal year.

(Acts 1957, No. 394, p. 539, §2.)