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or that person's designee; in the absence of a mental health professional it means the chief of staff or a physician designated by the chief of staff; (21) “provider of outpatient care” means a mental health professional or hospital, clinic, institution, center, or other health care facility designated by the department to accept for treatment patients who are ordered to undergo involuntary outpatient treatment by the court or who are released early from inpatient commitments on condition that they undergo outpatient treatment; (22) “screening investigation” means the investigation and review of facts that have been alleged to warrant emergency examination or treatment, including interviews with the persons making the allegations, any other significant witnesses who can readily be contacted for interviews, and, if possible, the respondent, and an investigation and evaluation of the reliability and credibility of persons providing information or making allegations; (23) “state” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the territories and possessions of the United States, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, with the approval of the United States Congress, Canada; (24) “subacute mental health facility” has the meaning given in AS 47.32.900. Secs. 47.30.950 — 47.30.980. Personal Declaration of Preference for Mental Health Treatment. [Repealed, § 15 ch 83 SLA 2004. For current law, see AS 13.52.] Chapter 31. Mental Health Treatment Assistance Program. Sec. 47.31.005. Applicability. This chapter applies only to those patients who have received evaluation or treatment at an evaluation facility or a designated treatment facility that is not a state-operated hospital. Sec. 47.31.010. Eligibility for assistance. (a) The department shall provide financial assistance under this chapter to a patient who (1) does not have the available means to pay or substantially contribute to the payment of charges assessed by a facility; (2) has no other third party to pay for the evaluation or treatment provided under AS 47.30; and (3) meets the criteria in this chapter. (b) To be eligible for assistance under this chapter, a patient must have (1) been admitted for inpatient evaluation or treatment at an evaluation facility or a designated treatment facility other than a state-operated hospital after either (A) an involuntary commitment under AS 47.30.700 — 47.30.915; or (B) a voluntary admission chosen by the patient after a determination by the patient's treating physician that the patient meets the involuntary commitment criteria in AS 47.30.700 — 47.30.915 and that involuntary commitment proceedings would be initiated if the patient did not choose to be admitted voluntarily; and