Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. v. West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources

BENJAMIN, Chief Justice:

In this proceeding we are presented with the question of whether there is a private cause of action for a hospital accepting Medicaid patients and Medicaid payments for unreasonable rate-setting. The Circuit Court of Kanawha County dismissed the complaint of the petitioner, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a Beckley ARH Hospital (“Beckley ARH”), in a lawsuit against the respondents seeking a remedy for inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates. The respondents are the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and its Secretary, Karen L. Bowling,…