Skagit County Public Hospital District No. 304 v. Skagit County Public Hospital District No. 1

Summary

The Washington Supreme Court held that a rural public hospital district may not provide health care services within the boundaries of another rural public hospital district without that district’s permission. Applying the statutory framework and the rule against duplicative municipal functions, the court concluded that the hospital district acted in excess of its jurisdiction. The court also held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding that no plain, speedy, and adequate remedy was available, and it affirmed issuance of the writ of prohibition.

Holdings

1. A rural public hospital district may not provide health care services within the boundaries of another rural public hospital district without that district's permission.
2. The superior court did not abuse its discretion by finding that United General lacked a plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of legal procedure.

Questions Presented

1. Whether a rural public hospital district may provide medical services within the boundaries of another rural public hospital district without that district's permission.
2. Whether the superior court abused its discretion by finding that United General lacked a plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of legal procedure.

Disposition

affirmed