Nye County v. Washoe Medical Center

OPINION

Nye County resident Dathan Delapeza was admitted to Nye County General Hospital with an illness. He was subsequently transferred to Washoe Medical Center (WMC) in Washoe County for additional treatment over a period of days prior to his discharge. WMC ultimately sought payment for Delapeza’s hospital care from Nye County, contending that indigency or financial status is irrelevant when a person becomes ill in one county and is thereafter transported to another county for treatment. The district court agreed and granted partial summary judgment in favor of WMC concerning the issue of…