2006 New York Code - Public Homes.

 
    § 193. Public homes. 1. Each public welfare district may establish and
  maintain  a  public home, which may include an infirmary for the care of
  chronically sick patients in addition to  facilities  for  the  care  of
  acutely ill patients, and may operate a farm in connection therewith, or
  may  contract  with  another  public  welfare  district for the care and
  maintenance of persons in need of institutional care who are  unable  to
  pay  for  such  care.  If  facilities are available in a public home the
  commissioner of public welfare may establish regulations authorizing the
  admission and care therein of persons in need of institutional care  who
  are  able  and  willing  to  pay,  in whole or in part for such care and
  prescribing the conditions under which such admissions may  be  made.  A
  person in need of institutional care who is unable to pay therefor shall
  not  be  refused  care in the public home operated and maintained by the
  public welfare district in which he resides or is  found,  when  persons
  able to pay for their care are receiving care in such home.
    2. If the state commissioner of social welfare shall approve, a public
  welfare  district  may  use  a  building or buildings formerly used as a
  tuberculosis hospital or sanatorium, or as a part thereof, for a  public
  home, a public home infirmary or an infirmary of a public home.