CODE OF VIRGINIA

FINDING AND DECLARATION OF NECESSITY (§ 15.2-5300)

It is declared that conditions resulting from the concentration of population of
various cities of the Commonwealth require the construction, maintenance and
operation of adequate hospital facilities for the care of the public health, for
the control and treatment of epidemics, for the care of the indigent and for the
public welfare. In various cities of the Commonwealth, adequate hospital
facilities are not available to the inhabitants, and, consequently, many
persons, including persons of low income, are forced to do without adequate
medical and hospital care and accommodations. These conditions cause an increase
in and the spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health,
safety, morals and welfare of the Commonwealth and impair economic values. The
aforesaid conditions also exist in certain areas surrounding such cities, and
these conditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary operations of private
enterprises. The providing of adequate hospital and medical care are public uses
and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired.
It is in the public interest that adequate hospital and medical facilities and
care be provided in such concentrated centers of population in order to care for
and protect the health and public welfare. The provisions hereinafter enacted
are declared as a matter of legislative determination necessary in the public
interest.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 32-213; 1979, c. 719, § 15.1-1533; 1997, c. 587.