United States v. State of Maryland Criminal Injuries Compensation Board of Maryland

WILKINSON, Circuit Judge:

In this case Maryland’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Act was applied to deny reimbursement to the Department of Veterans Affairs for free medical services rendered two veterans. We must determine whether this denial operated to discriminate against the federal government in violation of 38 U.S.C. § 629. The Maryland statute provides that if a crime victim would face “serious financial hardship” if not reimbursed for the cost of medical services received, then the crime victim, and through him the institution that provided him with medical services, qualifies for…