Court rejects CHARS fees levied against hospitals
Bennett Bigelow & Leedom prevailed at bench trial in King County Superior Court. On February 10, 2006, King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts ruled in favor of hospitals in a lawsuit on behalf of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) against the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) regarding its implementation of the hospital assessment authorized by RCW 70.170.080 (CHARS fees). The judge agreed with WSHA's contention that since 1995 DOH has exceeded its statutory authority by setting and using the hospital fee to pay for the expenses of health care data collection and reporting, and related administrative and support costs, not required by RCW 70.170.060. Mike Madden represented WSHA.