Opinion ID: 2708737
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Loss of the Opportunity to Correct

Text: When Bryn Mawr was cited with the deficiencies at issue in this case, it was given the opportunity to correct them before any remedies were imposed. The regulations gave IDPH the discretion to afford Bryn Mawr this opportunity. See State Operations Manual § 7304.1 (Rev. 63 2010). However, after Bryn Mawr was cited with deficiencies involving actual harm (“G” level deficiencies”), had it been found deficient on the next survey, there would have been no opportunity to correct the deficiencies before remedies were imposed (though it would be afforded a hearing).6 See State Operations Manual § 7304.2.1 (Rev. 63 2010) (mandating that facilities with “G” deficiencies on the last survey not being given a pre-remedy opportunity to correct); see also 42 C.F.R. §§ 431.151; 431.153 (providing a hearing when remedies are imposed). Bryn Mawr 6 The follow-up survey where Bryn Mawr was found in compliance did not alleviate this risk because regulators look to the “previous standard survey.” State Operations Manual § 7304.2.1 (Rev. 63 2010). Now, while this case has been pending, Bryn Mawr has performed well on subsequent standard surveys, so it is no longer at risk of this predicament. Regardless, we must decide whether this risk was a change in legal status that required a hearing because a finding of a “G” level deficiency could occur again, but the oneyear reset after standard surveys could result in the issue always evading review. See, e.g., United States v. Peters, 754 F.2d 753, 757–58 (7th Cir. 1985) (“A case is not moot, however, where even though the factual controversy is over, the case involves an order ‘capable of repetition, yet evading review.’ Two conditions must be met to avoid mootness: ‘the challenged action was in its duration too short to be fully litigated prior to its cessation or expiration, and there was a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party would be subjected to the same action again.’” (citations omitted)). No. 12-3678 15 contends that this was an alteration of its right. But what right was altered? Bryn Mawr never had a right to an opportunity to correct; such an opportunity was always a matter of IDPH’s discretion. “A property interest of constitutional magnitude exists only when the state’s discretion is ‘clearly limited’ such that the plaintiff cannot be denied the interest ‘unless specific conditions are met.’” Brown v. City of Mich. City, Ind., 462 F.3d 720, 729 (7th Cir. 2006) (citing Colburn v. Trs. of Ind. Univ., 973 F.2d 581, 589 (7th Cir. 1992)). IDPH’s discretion was subject to no such limitations. See State Operations Manual § 7304.1 (Rev. 63 2010). Bryn Mawr “cannot point to a state law, or another independent source, that guarantees [it]” an opportunity to correct. Brown, 462 F.3d at 729. So, “[b]ecause the right to” an opportunity to correct deficiencies “is not ‘securely’ [Bryn Mawr’s], it cannot be claimed as a valid property interest.” Id. If Bryn Mawr had held a secure right to an opportunity to correct that was lost—or even altered, e.g., narrowed in scope—that might have been enough. See Somerset House, Inc. v. Turnock, 900 F.2d 1012, 1015 (7th Cir. 1990) (“[T]he combination of the Conditional License with the loss of eligibility for QUIP funding was sufficient because the loss of eligibility for funding was a change in legal status.” (emphasis added)); Cameo Convalescent Ctr., Inc. v. Senn, 738 F.2d 836, 843 (7th Cir. 1984) (“Cameo’s placement upon the SOR list, like the individual placed on the list of known drunks in Davis, deprived Cameo of a right under state law: the right to receive referrals from state social service departments and agencies.” (emphasis added)). But because the opportunity to correct is not a right that is securely Bryn Mawr’s, deprivation or alteration of the opportunity does not give rise to a right to due process. 16 No. 12-3678