Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
High Court Sides With Idaho In Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Case
Associated Press: Supreme Court Sides With Idaho In Medicaid Pay Dispute
The Supreme Court says private sector health care companies cannot sue to force states to raise their Medicaid reimbursement rates to keep up with rising medical costs. The justices ruled 5-4 Tuesday that the medical companies have no private right to enforce federal Medicaid funding laws against states if Congress has not created such a right. (3/31)
Reuters: U.S. Top Court Says Private Medical Providers Can't Sue States Over Medicaid
The case focused on rates for certain residential services. State officials recommended increases in reimbursement rates in the late 2000s but they were never implemented because the Idaho legislature declined to appropriate funds, according to court papers. Writing on behalf of the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said that the providers have no right to sue the state under the so-called Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which holds that federal law generally trumps state law. (Hurley, 3/31)
Modern Healthcare: Providers Can't Sue State Medicaid Agencies Over Rates, Supreme Court Rules
Providers had argued in case, Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center Inc., that suing over low rates is sometimes the only way to enforce federal payment requirements. Otherwise, low rates could lead to fewer providers agreeing to participate in Medicaid and thus less access to care for Medicaid patients, some had argued. Those on the other side, however, had argued against allowing such lawsuits, saying a ruling in favor of providers could mean endless litigation that would slow the system. They argued that Congress has not authorized such suits. (Schencker, 3/31)
Bloomberg: Providers Can’t Sue Over Medicaid Reimbursement, Top Court Says
The justices, voting 5-4, ruled against a group of health-care providers seeking to challenge Idaho’s rates under the Medicaid insurance program for the poor. Hospitals say the low rates aren’t covering their costs. (3/31)
