St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center v. Maricopa County

OPINION

SHELLEY, Judge.

This case deals with the statute that defines indigency for purposes of public health assistance. We hold that the statute must be construed to render a patient ineligible for public assistance if his spouse owns separate property that exceeds the maximum set by the statute. We also hold that the statute, so construed, does not offend due process and does not work an unconstitutional taking of property.

BACKGROUND

Donald Neu was admitted as an emergency patient to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in April of 1985, and he remained hospitalized there for almost two…