California Medical Association (CMA), California Hospital Association (CHA), and California Pharmacists Association (CPA) v. State of California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) (Sacramento County Superior Court, 2011-80000962)
On September 30, 2011, CMA, CHA and CPA filed a lawsuit under the California Public Records Act to require DHCS to provide copies of their communications with the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) related to the proposed cuts to Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. CMA, CHA and CPA have repeatedly requested documents from DHCS that shed light on how the state of California is purporting to justify the proposed significant cutbacks in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates to healthcare providers under applicable federal law. DHCS stonewalled these requests. Based on California law that gives the public a right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business, CMA sought records that would provide the public with sufficient information about how the state is proposing to cut Medi-Cal payments and how such cuts will affect the quality of care and access to health care services for the 10.5 million low-income children, parents and adults with disabilities who rely upon Medi-Cal. On March 2, 2012, the court ruled in CMA's favor and granted CMA's petition finding that there was a strong public interest in disclosure and ordered the State to disclose the requested public records to the petitioners. THe court issued its final judgment on March 19, 2012 and awarded CMA attorneys' fees and costs.
Petition for Writ of Mandate filed: 9/30/11
Judgment Granting Petition filed: 3/19/12