County of Santa Clara v. Superior Court

Summary

The court held that the Government Claims Act does not immunize a public health care service plan from a provider's implied-in-law contract or quantum meruit claim seeking reimbursement required by the Knox-Keene Act. Because the Hospitals sought enforcement of a statutory reimbursement duty rather than tort damages, their claim was not barred and could proceed. The court also confirmed that ordinary demurrer-review standards apply when reviewing a writ directing a trial court to sustain a demurrer.