African-American health workers lose appeal

An appeals court has upheld a decision that kills a discrimination lawsuit filed by African-American home health care workers.

The workers were told they couldn't take care of a white patient.

The court agreed Wednesday with a Grand Rapids federal judge who said the women waited too long to file a lawsuit against Spectrum Health.

Judge Robert Holmes Bell also found that the women couldn't demonstrate a "long-standing . . . policy of discrimination" that would let the case go forward.

The women are two certified nursing assistants and a home health aide.

They were assigned to provide care to a white man who suffered from brain injuries.

But in spring 2012, the patient's guardian told Spectrum Health that no African-American employees should be assigned to the man.