St. Joseph Regional Medical Center v. Nez Perce County Commissioners

WALTERS, Justice.

The Nez Perce County Commissioners appeal from the district court’s decision reversing the Board of County Commissioner’s denial of medical indigency benefits for payment of mental health services provided by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) to patient B.T. We likewise reverse the Board’s order.

I

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 1996, B.T. was examined in the emergency department at SJRMC where she appeared requesting alcohol and drug treatment. During the intake interview, B.T. disclosed a long history of drug and alcohol…