HOSPITAL AND INSURANCE FUND

(a) In a county that adopts rules under Section 157.002, the commissioners court may require persons participating in the health plan to contribute toward the payment of the plan. The commissioners court may establish a fund to be known as the "Hospital and Insurance Fund--County Employees" to pay for the medical care or hospitalization or the insurance. (b) A person who elects to participate in the health plan must authorize contributions to the fund by salary deduction. The authorization must be in writing and must be given at the time of the person's employment or on the effective date of the rules. The county and any participating flood control district or hospital district shall also contribute to the fund. A person who does not contribute to the plan may not receive hospitalization or insurance benefits. (c) The fund may be used only for the purposes stated in Subsection (a). Employees who are discharged or who end their employment voluntarily have no vested right to contributions made to the fund. The fund shall continue to be used for the benefit of the remaining employees. (d) Claims shall be paid from the fund in the same manner as provided by law for the payment of other claims of the county or flood control district. (e) If a plan established under this section is terminated by the commissioners court, the remaining funds shall be transferred to the county and to any participating flood control district in proportion to the total contributions made by them.