California Code, Government Code - GOV § 37615.3

The board of trustees shall be responsible for the operation of all hospitals owned or leased by the city, according to the best interests of the public health and shall make and enforce all rules, regulations and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, protection, and maintenance of hospitals under their management and all property belonging thereto and may prescribe the terms upon which patients may be admitted thereto. However, these hospitals shall not contract to care for indigent county patients at below the cost for care. In setting the rates, the board shall, insofar as possible, establish such rates as will permit the hospital to be operated upon a self-supporting basis.