United States v. Deaconess Medical Center Empire Health Service

This case involves a question certified by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington pursuant to the Federal Court Local Law Certificate Procedure Act, RCW 2.60. The plaintiff United States of America (United States) wants to enforce a hospital lien against the defendants Deaconess Medical Center, Empire Health Services, and Farmers Insurance Company of Washington (Deaconess). The District Court asks this court to determine whether the defendants are responsible for a hospital lien under chapter 60.44 RCW by answering the following question: