Washoe County v. Wittenberg

OPINION

By the Court,

Springer, J.:

The question in this case is whether Washoe County is obligated to pay for emergency medical treatment provided by St. Mary’s Hospital to indigent patients eligible for county medical assistance. We hold that St. Mary’s Hospital and other private health care providers are entitled to be reimbursed for the costs of treatment for eligible indigent patients in medical emergencies as narrowly defined here.

Respondent Wittenberg is eligible to receive medical care at the expense of Washoe County. He was admitted to the emergency room of St. Mary’s Hospital because…