U.S. Supreme Court decisions shape health policy in important ways. The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, if confirmed, is expected to establish a solid 6:3 conservative majority that could affect case outcomes in several areas. This issue brief considers the potential implications of a reconfigured Court for health policy issues, including those already on the Court’s docket for the coming term and those that the Court may choose to consider in this term or in the future:
The future of the ACA: The Court will decide California v. Texas, a case that could determine whether the entire Affordable Care Act can continue, with significant implications for the U.S. health care system and virtually every American. Oral argument is scheduled for November 10, 2020.
Cases requesting Supreme Court review:
- Abortion: The Court may decide to consider one or more cases that could overturn the precedent of Roe v. Wade, alter the standard to evaluate whether abortion regulations are constitutional, or decide that abortion providers cannot sue to challenge abortion regulations.
- Title X: The Court is likely to want to resolve conflicting appeals court decisions about whether the Trump Administration Title X Federal Family Planning regulations that prohibit federal funding to clinics that offer or refer for abortion are permissible under federal law.
- Medicaid enrollees’ free choice of provider: The Court will decide whether to hear a case about whether Medicaid enrollees can sue to challenge a state’s refusal to allow Planned Parenthood to offer Medicaid services if that provider also separately offers abortion services (which are not covered by Medicaid). Federal appeals courts are split on this issue. The case has implications for enrollees’ ability to bring lawsuits challenging state violations of federal Medicaid law as well as enrollees’ free access to providers.
- Medicaid work requirements: The Court will decide whether to hear cases about whether the HHS Secretary can approve Section 1115 waivers that condition Medicaid eligibility on meeting work and reporting requirements, which have led to over 18,000 people losing coverage in Arkansas.
Cases that could reach the Supreme Court:
- Payment of ACA cost-sharing reductions to insurers: The Court could be asked to hear cases brought by Marketplace insurers seeking unpaid cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) from the Trump Administration. Restoring CSR payments could lower Marketplace premiums and federal costs and improve affordability for individuals who do not qualify for Marketplace premium tax credits.
- Nondiscrimination in health coverage and care: The Court could be asked to review cases challenging the Trump Administration’s rollback of regulations implementing ACA Section 1557, which bans discrimination in health programs and activities that receive federal funding. Issues include whether discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited and the extent to which individuals and entities are exempt from discrimination claims based on religious freedom.
- Public charge rule: The Court could be asked to review cases challenging the Trump Administration’s regulations that prevent individuals from obtaining a green card or entering the U.S. if they are determined likely to use certain public programs, including Medicaid. The regulations are likely to lead to decreased participation in Medicaid by immigrant families and their primarily U.S. born children.
- Hospital price transparency rule: The Court could be asked to hear a challenge to the Trump Administration’s regulations requiring hospitals to disclose their negotiated rates with insurers. The Administration argues that the regulations could lead to lower costs for consumers. However, if the Supreme Court accepts the argument, supported by the Trump Administration, that the entire ACA is invalid, Congress will need to pass new legislation before any price transparency regulations could be adopted.
source: https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/a-reconfigured-u-s-supreme-court-implications-for-health-policy/
