Nurse says IL hospital fired her because of husband's expensive treatment

A former nurse manager is locked in a high-profile legal battle with the Peoria, IL-based Proctor Hospital. A trial is set for this year after the 7th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss the case. Phyliss Dewitt, whose employment record was spotless, claims the hospital fired her because of her husband's high medical expenses. Experts say more conflicts of this kind are likely as economically stressed employers confront escalating healthcare costs and the reality that a small number of sick employees or family members account for the vast majority of medical expenses.