A. The legislature hereby creates a local healthcare provider participation program through which a parish may deposit in a local provider participation fund established by the parish all of the following monies:
(1) Any local hospital assessment payment from an institutional provider located in the parish.
(2) Such other sums as the parish deems appropriate.
B. Monies in the provider participation fund may be used by the parish to fund certain intergovernmental transfers and indigent care programs as provided by this Subpart.
C. A parish may adopt an ordinance authorizing it to participate in the program, subject to the limitations provided in this Subpart.
D. Any parishes authorized by R.S. 40:1248.3 to establish a local provider participation fund may, upon agreement of the governing authorities of each parish, establish a single fund for the benefit of those parishes and a local hospital assessment applicable to the institutional providers in those parishes.