On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Idaho v. United States on procedural grounds and sent the case back to the Ninth Circuit. By doing so, the Supreme Court reinstated the preliminary injunction issued by the district court and temporarily allows abortions to be performed when necessary to preserve the health of the pregnant woman. Mike Moyle, et al., v. United States, No. 23-726, and Idaho v. United States, No. 23-727. However, by failing to rule on the merits of the case and the core question of whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) preempts Idaho law, confusion and uncertainty are likely to continue for healthcare providers and hospitals seeking to provide care for pregnant women.Continue Reading SCOTUS Punts on EMTALA Preemption Question

On June 10, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari in Advocate Christ Medical Center v. Becerra[1] for the October 2024 – 2025 term to review a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling potentially affecting up to $4 billion in federal funding for hospitals.[2] The Supreme Court will determine whether the federal Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) properly reimbursed hospitals for providing care to patients receiving financial aid from the Supplemental Security Income Program (the “SSI Program”).[3] Hospitals benefiting from Medicare reimbursement adjustments for treating low-income patients should closely monitor this case, as a favorable ruling for the plaintiffs may impact how hospitals are reimbursed for similar claims in the future.Continue Reading SCOTUS to Review Case Impacting Medicare Reimbursement for Hospitals Treating Low-Income Patients