Boston Medical Center Sues Massachusetts for Diverting Funds - August 3, 2009

Boston Medical Center (BMC) has filed a lawsuit against Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Massachusetts’ Secretary of Health and Human Services, for illegally diverting Medicaid funds intended to support BMC. The complaint, filed on July 15 in state court, alleges that the state impermissibly siphoned off funds intended to support BMC’s legal obligation to provide accessible health care services “to underwrite [the state’s] efforts to expand health insurance coverage.” The complaint further asserts that by reimbursing BMC at the rate of only 64 cents for every dollar spent, the state has unconstitutionally confiscated BMC’s property without adequate compensation. Speaking about the lawsuit, BMC President and CEO Elaine Ullian said the state’s health care reform law “should not and cannot be financed on the backs of the poor.”

Ullian recently announced that she will be retiring at the end of her current contract in January 2010. NAPH wishes to thank Elaine for her tireless efforts over the last 16 years at BMC advocating for safety net hospitals in Massachusetts and around the country. Her leadership will be missed.