Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
High Court To Hear Discrimination Case Over State's Responsibility To Deaf People
The Texas Tribune: Supreme Court Takes Up Deaf Texans' Suit Against State
A group of deaf Texans fighting what they claim is discriminatory treatment is hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will step in and force the state to provide sign-language interpreters at classes young drivers must take to get licenses. The high court on Tuesday agreed to hear the case, Ivy v. Morath, involving a group of deaf Texans who sued the state in 2011. The state requires first-time driver's license applicants under age 25 to take classes that are typically conducted by private companies. The suit argues that since Texas requires the classes, it should make sure there are interpreters for deaf students. (Pattani, 6/30)
In other Supreme Court news, the cost of defending the Texas abortion case totals more than $1 million —
The Texas Tribune: Abortion Legal Fight Cost Texas More Than $1 Million
The legal battle to defend Texas' 2013 abortion restrictions — which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional on Monday — cost Texas taxpayers more than $1 million, according to records obtained by The Texas Tribune. ... Legal costs associated with that case, formally known as Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, totaled $768,722. That includes salary, overhead, travel expenses and other expenses incurred by the Texas Attorney General's Office, which defended the restrictions in court. The price tag for a previous lawsuit that targeted the admitting privileges provision — formally known as Planned Parenthood, et al v. Abbott, et al — was $311,355. (Ura, 6/29)
