Department of Social & Health Services v. Latta

In each of these cases, consolidated on appeal, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) appeals an order of the Thurston County Superior Court quashing its subpoenas seeking medical records of Medicaid *814patients. The trial court based its order upon the physician-patient privilege, RCW 5.60.060(4). The Court of Appeals, Division Two, certified the case to this court. We accepted certification and we reverse the trial court.

Latta Case

There is essentially no dispute as to the procedural facts. March 3, 1978, DSHS caused an administrative subpoena duces tecum to be served upon William…