Care and treatment provided by the state of North Dakota for persons suffering from tuberculosis, including diagnosis, tests, studies, and analyses for the discovery of tuberculosis, must be available without cost or charge to anyone who is suffering from tuberculosis or is suspected of having tuberculosis. Any such person who volunteers to assume and pay for the cost of such care and treatment or for the cost of such diagnosis, test, studies, or analyses must be permitted to do so; but no state, county, or other public official may request or require such payment or make or cause to be made any inquiry or investigation for the purpose of determining the ability of such person or of the person’s legally responsible relatives to pay therefor. This section in no way bars freedom of the individual to seek treatment from a physician or in an institution of the individual’s choice at the individual’s own expense.