Southern Mono Healthcare District press release

In furtherance of the lawsuit filed by Northern Inyo Hospital District and Inyo County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) against Southern Mono Healthcare District and Mammoth Hospital, they failed to obtain a temporary restraining order and were denied a request for a hearing for the court to issue a preliminary injunction that would have immediately closed operations and disrupted ongoing orthopedic and physical therapy care for hundreds of Inyo County residents and residents of the Swall Meadows and Paradise communities who have chosen to obtain their care at the Bishop location of Mammoth Orthopedic Institute and S.P.O.R.T. Physical Therapy.

The Honorable Shelleyanne W.L. Chang heard arguments from all parties in the Sacramento County Superior Court on December 18, 2015 and ruled in favor of Mammoth Hospital. Mammoth Hospital’s lead attorney defending the lawsuit is David Baumwohl.

“We’re obviously pleased with Judge Chang’s ruling against the Temporary Restraining Order and the application to pursue a preliminary injunction,” said Gary Myers, CEO of Mammoth Hospital.  “Among other reasons for denying the application of Northern Inyo Hospital District and Inyo LAFCO, the judge felt that interrupting the long-standing and on-going medical and rehabilitative care for hundreds of people in a remote rural area was completely unjustified and inappropriate, regardless of the location of the clinic.  All of these patients have exercised their right to freely choose to obtain their care from M.O.I. physicians and S.P.O.R.T. Center therapists.  We believe very strongly in that right of choice.  The Northern Inyo Hospital Board and administration apparently believe they have the right to control and limit that freedom of choice.  We will continue to vigorously defend against this unfortunate lawsuit.”