For the purposes of the article:
(1) The term "health care facilities" means and includes those hospital facilities as defined in subsection (d) of Section 44-7-1430 of the 1976 Code;
(2) The term "public hospital corporation" means any public authority, corporation, or association or entity organized on a local or regional basis by or with the consent of any county or municipality (or any two or more counties or municipalities) and having the power to own or operate any health care facilities, including without limitation, any public corporation or authority heretofore or hereafter organized under the provisions of this article.