State, Department of Corrections v. Hendricks-Pearce

OPINION

WINFREE, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

The State of Alaska provided a prisoner extensive medical care during his incarceration. Around the time of his release from custody, the prisoner won a medical malpractice judgment against the State. The State paid part of the judgment but, relying on a reimbursement statute, withheld the medical care costs associated with conditions unrelated to the malpractice claim. The State then sought declaratory judgment that it was entitled to reimbursement from the former prisoner. The superior court ruled that the statute does not authorize the State to seek…