§ 207. Hospitalization of members of fire departments in certain cities. Paid members of the fire department of any city of this state having a population of one million or more who shall be injured while actually employed in the discharge of duty or who, as a result of illness traceable directly to the performance of duty, shall, when certified by the fire chief or commissioner, be received by any public, private or semi-private hospital for care and treatment in semi-private patient facilities or accommodations. The bill for such semi-private patient facilities or accommodations, including charges, at the prevailing semi-private patient rates, for necessary nursing, laboratory tests, X-ray examinations and physical therapy, when certified by the superintendent or other person in charge of such hospital and approved by the fire chief or commissioner, be paid by the city in which such fire department is located.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as excluding an injured member from being received in a ward accommodation in an emergency, if semi-private accommodations are not available at a hospital.

Notwithstanding any provision of law contrary thereto contained herein or elsewhere, a cause of action shall accrue to the city for reimbursement in such sum or sums actually paid for medical or hospital treatment, as against any third party against whom a member of the fire department shall have a cause of action for the injuries sustained.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a provider of medical treatment or hospital care furnished pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not collect or attempt to collect reimbursement for such treatment or care from any such member of the fire department of any such city.