To obtain general information from the region and community in which a hospital is located, the Commission, at its discretion, may hold a general hearing during the course of any rate proceeding. A general hearing shall be supplementary to other methods of rate review and may not replace them. A general hearing shall be held in the region in which the hospital whose rates are being reviewed is located. The public notice of a general hearing may state: The name and address of the hospital, the designated interested parties, the docket, page, and file numbers of the application, and the time, date, and place of the hearing; A description of the issues to be considered at the general hearing; That any party interested in the matter may attend and present written or oral statements concerning the announced issues; and That presentations may be limited as to time and that the number of spokespersons representing any group or organization may be limited. The general hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer, any member of the Commission, a senior member of the Commission staff or its legal counsel. Persons attending the general hearing may present written or oral statements concerning the issues and rates set forth in the notice, which statements need not be verified. The presiding officer, within his discretion, may limit the number of spokespersons representing a group or organization and may limit the time allowed for oral statements. The conduct of the general hearing shall be recorded and the transcript shall be placed in the file of the proceedings. Any person may purchase a transcript of the hearing from the stenographer. The presiding officer may ask questions of the spokespersons. Within the discretion of the presiding officer, examination or questions of the spokespersons by other persons may be permitted. A transcript of the oral statements and copies of the written statements shall be placed in the Commission's file of the particular rate review proceeding.