Calif. Medicaid Case Pits Top Democrats Against Obama Administration

Politico Pro: What To Watch For In The Calif. Medicaid Case
While the administration this week asked the Supreme Court to take up 26 states' challenge to the Affordable Care Act, the nation's top court on Monday will hear oral arguments on whether patients and providers can challenge states' Medicaid cuts — a case that patient advocates believe could have major implications for the implementation of health care reform. The court is taking up just one question in Douglas v. Independent Living Center of Southern California: Do individuals have the right to sue a state for its administration of the Medicaid program? The case was prompted by California providers' and beneficiaries' contention that the state's 2008 Medicaid cuts violated the health care program's provider access requirements. This case has split HHS and the Justice Department, and pitted top Democrats against the administration (Millman, 9/30).