Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 283.003. District Authorization

(a) A county authorized to establish a hospital district under Article IX, Section 4, of the Texas Constitution may create a hospital district and provide for the establishment of a countywide hospital or hospital system to furnish medical aid and hospital care to indigent and needy persons residing in the district.

(b) If the county authorized to establish a hospital district under Article IX, Section 4, of the Texas Constitution owns and operates a hospital or hospital system for indigent or needy persons, separately or jointly with a municipality, the countywide hospital district may take over the hospital or hospital system to furnish medical aid and hospital care to indigent and needy persons residing in the district.