Missouri Court of Appeals rules on Health Forward/HCA litigation

Date: January 17, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Sykes
Phone: (816) 241-7006

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Missouri Court of Appeals issued its judgement today in the ongoing litigation between the Health Forward Foundation (Health Forward) and the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and its affiliate, HM Acquisition LLC.

The Missouri Court of Appeals reversed part of the Circuit Court’s December 9, 2015, Judgment and upheld part of that Judgment. The appellate court modified the amount of the Judgment to $188,074,491.

“We respect the Missouri Court of Appeals’ decision and realize that additional legal proceedings may occur,” said Health Forward Board Chair Wayne Powell. “Health Forward remains committed to its mission of eliminating barriers and promoting quality health for the underserved and uninsured in the region.”

Health Forward President/CEO Bridget McCandless, M.D., said the ruling does not represent an immediate expansion of Health Forward’s grant-making resources. Health Forward will take the necessary time to understand the ramifications of this ruling.

“Once litigation concludes, Health Forward will continue a deliberate and thoughtful review of our region’s health needs and engage community partners to discuss how this ruling can be leveraged to continue to positively impact our service area,” said McCandless.

Health Forward’s board of directors initiated this lawsuit against HCA out of fiduciary responsibility and to ensure the uninsured and underserved were afforded services promised as a result of Health Midwest’s asset sale.

Media inquiries related to the judgment may be directed to Paul Seyferth of Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris, LLC, at816-756-0700.