The Wisconsin court said that because health care now is so expensive, an HMO's refusal to pay for care means the end of treatment. Wisconsin's decision won't affect many, perhaps even most, HMO customers. The law doesn't cover public employees, self-employed people and employees of charitable organizations. For these groups, the Wisconsin case was a big decision. The case also illustrates the relationship between changing times and changing laws.
Law is always behind the times, by much or little, and it's always trying to catch up.
Wisconsin's case was McEvoy v. Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire, No. 96-0908 on the docket of the state's supreme court, decided last Nov. 12. Two other states, faced with similar issues, decided cases in much the same manner as Wisconsin. Martin Paskind is an Albuquerque lawyer. His practice emphasizes legal services to small businesses. P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103.