A hospital licensed by the Department of Health pursuant to P.L. 1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et al.) shall charge a patient who is an uninsured resident of this State, and whose family gross income is less than 500% of the federal poverty level, an amount no greater than 115% of the applicable payment rate under the federal Medicare program, established pursuant to Pub.L. 89-97(42 U.S.C.s. 1395 et seq.), for the health care services rendered to the patient. The amount shall be in accordance with the sliding scale based on income developed by the department pursuant to this act.
N.J.S. § 26:2H-12.52