(a) For the purpose of improving the teaching program of the University of Arkansas College of Medicine and to provide a source of additional funds for the operation of the State Medical Center, the medical center is authorized and directed to admit for medical treatment persons who have the economic ability to pay for hospital and medical services rendered. However, before any such person shall be admitted for treatment as a paying patient, such person shall have agreed in writing for the supervised observation of his or her case by medical students of the College of Medicine.
(b) The State Medical Center, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, shall establish a system of charges to be paid by paying patients for hospital and medical care rendered such paying patients at the medical center. If any person with ability to pay shall fail or refuse to pay for the cost of hospital and medical care received at the medical center, the medical center shall institute appropriate legal proceedings for the collection of the cost.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit the admission and treatment of charity or medical indigent patients at the medical center as may be authorized by law.