Luther Hospital v. Eau Claire County

Luther Hospital and Midelfort Clinic, Ltd., appeal from a judgment dismissing their complaint for payment by Eau Claire County (county) of the emergency medical service costs for Harold E. Gorman. The trial court concluded that Gorman was not a dependent as defined by sec. 49.01(4), Stats., and therefore the county was not liable for the cost of his care. Because we conclude that Gorman’s right to apply for a veteran’s emergency relief grant did not constitute “other means” by which he could “presently obtain” money to provide emergency medical services for himself, we reverse the judgment…