PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT; PROCEDURES.

(a) When a patient from the district is admitted to a district facility, the district administrator shall have an inquiry made into the circumstances of:

(1) the patient; and

(2) the patient's relatives legally liable for the patient's support.

(b) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives cannot pay for all or part of the patient's care and treatment in the hospital, the expense of that care becomes a charge against the district.

(c) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives are liable to pay for all or part of the patient's care and treatment, the patient or those relatives shall be ordered to pay the district's treasurer a specified amount each week for the patient's support. The amount ordered must be proportionate to the financial ability and may not exceed the actual per capita cost of maintenance.

(d) The district administrator may collect the amount from the patient's estate, or from those relatives legally liable for the patient's support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person.

(e) If there is a dispute, or a doubt in the district administrator's mind, as to the ability to pay, the board shall hold a hearing and, after calling witnesses, shall:

(1) resolve the dispute or doubt; and

(2) issue any appropriate order.

(f) Either party to the dispute may appeal the district's order to the district court. The appeal is by trial de novo as that term is used in appeals from the justice courts to the county courts.