Crespin v. Shewry

Opinion

MARGULIES, J.

In 1993, plaintiffs obtained a permanent injunction requiring that the California Department of Health Services (DHS) provide certain restricted Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented aliens. A judgment incorporating the injunction’s major elements became final in 1994, following DHS’s appeal. In 1997 and 2000, DHS moved unsuccessfully for orders dissolving or modifying portions of the injunction. In 2003, plaintiffs applied for and were awarded attorney fees and expenses under the private attorney general statute for successfully defending the permanent injunction. DHS…