The county commissioners may acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate, own and lease, either in the capacity of lessor or lessee, general hospitals within the county for the use, benefit, health, comfort, safety and general welfare of the residents of this Commonwealth and appropriate money from the county treasury for such purposes or may create a municipal authority under the former act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945, and appropriate money to the municipal authority for any of the purposes under this section.
16 Pa.C.S. § 15799.5