Md. Code, Local Government § 1–1001

(a) A county or municipality may establish a hospital or other facility for

the care of the sick by:

(1) building or contracting for the use of a facility; or

(2) joining with another county or municipality to establish a joint

facility.

(b) A county or municipality may recover the expenses incurred by a

hospital or another facility in caring for a patient who is not indigent:

(1) from the patient, within 3 years after the patient is discharged

from the facility; or

(2) from the estate of the patient, if the patient dies in the facility.