Court Opinion

ID: 3045059
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 23:15:29.020168+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:38:05.014366
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                         FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                 ___________

                                 No. 07-1816
                                 ___________

Butler Manufacturing Company,            *
                                         *
             Plaintiff - Appellant,      *
                                         *
Connecticut General Life Insurance       *
Company,                                 *
                                         *
             Plaintiff,                  * Appeal from the United States
                                         * District Court for the Western
      v.                                 * District of Missouri.
                                         *
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, a       * [UNPUBLISHED]
Division of Health Care Service Corp., *
                                         *
             Defendant - Appellee,       *
                                         *
Gerber Life Insurance Company,           *
                                         *
             Defendant.                  *
                                    ___________

                            Submitted: December 14, 2007
                               Filed: July 3, 2008
                                ___________

Before BYE, ARNOLD, and MELLOY, Circuit Judges.
                           ___________

PER CURIAM.
     Butler Manufacturing Company appeals the district court's1 grant of summary
judgment in favor of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. We affirm.

       Michael Richardson and Julie Ann Richardson were divorced in 1993. Michael
was employed by Butler Manufacturing Company and participated in its self-funded
healthcare plan, and Julie was employed by R & R Marine Fabrication and Drydock
and participated in its healthcare plan. This action arises out of a dispute over which
of the two healthcare plans is responsible for medical expenses incurred on behalf of
the Richardsons' minor son, Kyle, prior to his death in 2003.

       We review a grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the same standard
as the district court. Jaurequi v. Carter Mfg. Co., Inc., 173 F.3d 1076, 1085 (8th Cir.
1999). Summary judgment is proper if there exists no genuine issue as to any material
fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(c). When ruling on a summary judgment motion, a court must view the evidence
"in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party." Dush v. Appleton Elec. Co.,
124 F.3d 957, 962-63 (8th Cir. 1997). However, a "nonmovant must present more
than a scintilla of evidence and must advance specific facts to create a genuine issue
of material fact for trial." F.D.I.C. v. Bell, 106 F.3d 258, 263 (8th Cir. 1997).

      The district court concluded the healthcare plan of the custodial parent had
primary responsibility for payment of healthcare related costs. The court further
concluded the parties' divorce decree designated Michael as Kyle's custodial parent.
Therefore, Butler's healthcare plan bore financial responsibility for Kyle's medical
expenses. We agree. Because an extended discussion would add nothing to the well-
reasoned order of the district court, we affirm under 8th Cir. R. 47B.
                        ______________________________

      1
      The Honorable Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., United States District Judge for the
Western District of Missouri.

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