The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments between three private hospitals and Sarasota County over nearly $200 million in unpaid care for indigent patients, reports Herald-Tribune.
The suit concerns a 2003 state law that directed Sarasota County to reimburse private hospitals in the county for indigent care costs.
Sarasota (Fla.) Doctors Hospital, Englewood (Fla.) Community Hospital and Venice (Fla.) Regional Medical Center, now Venice Regional Bayfront Health, sued Sarasota County in 2011 when the county refused to make reimbursement payments. At the time, the hospitals sought a combined $200 million for indigent care costs, according to the article.
Last year, an appeals court ruled that, because private corporations are not legally entitled to taxpayer money, the 2003 law was unconstitutional and the county did not have to reimburse the hospitals for indigent care. The hospitals appealed the decision, arguing that they provide a public good by serving indigent and uninsured communities.
The case goes before the Florida Supreme Court on Oct. 5.