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KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: SCOTUS Term Wraps With a Bang

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Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:30:00 +0000

The Host

Julie Rovner
KFF Health News


@jrovner


Read Julie’s stories.

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third edition.

It was a busy year for health-related cases at the Supreme Court. Among other issues, the justices grappled with two abortion cases, a separate case touching on the opioid epidemic, and a case challenging whether localities can bar homeless people from sleeping in public spaces. Also, the court struck down a decades-old precedent that could dramatically change how the federal government oversees health care and other types of policy.

In this special episode of “What the Health?”, Sarah Somers, legal director of the National Health Law Program, joins KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss how the justices disposed of the term’s health-related cases and what those decisions could mean going forward.

A Summary of the Cases

On the functioning of government:

Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, challenging the “Chevron doctrine” that required courts to defer in most cases to the expertise of federal agencies in interpreting laws passed by Congress.

Corner Post Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, challenging the statute of limitations for bringing a case against a federal agency’s actions.

On abortion:

Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, challenging the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.

Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States, about whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requirement that hospitals participating in Medicare provide the care needed to stabilize a patient’s condition overrides Idaho’s near-complete abortion ban when a pregnant patient experiences a medical emergency.

On other health issues:

Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, about whether federal bankruptcy law can shield an entity from future claims without the consent of all claimants.

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, about whether banning sleeping in public subjects those with no other place to sleep to “cruel and unusual punishment” under the U.S. Constitution.

Previous “What the Health?” Coverage of These Cases:

SCOTUS Ruling Strips Power From Federal Health Agencies,” June 28

SCOTUS Rejects Abortion Pill Challenge — For Now,” June 13

Waiting for SCOTUS,” May 30

Abortion — Again — At the Supreme Court,” April 25

The Supreme Court and the Abortion Pill,” March 28

Health Enters the Presidential Race,” Jan. 25

The Supreme Court vs. the Bureaucracy,” Jan. 18

Credits

Francis Ying
Audio producer

Emmarie Huetteman
Editor

To hear all our podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” on SpotifyApple PodcastsPocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Title: KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: SCOTUS Term Wraps With a Bang
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/what-the-health-354-supreme-court-term-wrap-july-3-2024/
Published Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:30:00 +0000

Kaiser Health News

In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M

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kffhealthnews.org – Fred Schulte, KFF Health News – 2024-12-20 16:31:00

SUMMARY: Independent Health Association of Buffalo and Betsy Gaffney, CEO of medical analytics firm DxID, have agreed to a settlement of up to $100 million to resolve Justice Department allegations of fraudulent Medicare billing for exaggerated or non-existent health conditions. Independent Health will pay up to $98 million, while Gaffney will contribute $2 million. Neither party admitted wrongdoing. The case was triggered by whistleblower Teresa Ross, highlighting issues of “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage plans. Ross, having faced repercussions for her allegations, will receive at least $8.2 million from the settlement. This case underscores the challenges of regulating billing practices in the Medicare system.

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Kaiser Health News

Employers Press Congress To Cement Health Price Transparency Before Trump’s Return

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kffhealthnews.org – Julie Appleby, KFF Health News – 2024-12-20 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Despite regulations requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose negotiated prices for healthcare services, the impact on consumer costs remains unclear nearly four years later. While the Trump administration’s initial rules and Biden’s enhancements aimed to streamline this data, compliance is inconsistent; a 2022 audit found only 63 out of 100 hospitals met requirements. Some lawmakers proposed legislation to protect these regulations amid uncertainty about Trump’s potential return to office, but efforts fell short. Experts note the complexity of the data often leaves consumers struggling to understand their actual costs, emphasizing the need for improved transparency and enforcement to facilitate informed healthcare choices.

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Kaiser Health News

He Went in for a Colonoscopy. The Hospital Charged $19,000 for Two.

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kffhealthnews.org – Harris Meyer – 2024-12-19 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Tom Contos, a 45-year-old runner, sought a colonoscopy due to ongoing rectal bleeding. His insurance covered part of the procedure, but he was shocked by the final bill of $19,206, which included charges for two colonoscopies. Despite an initial estimate of $7,203, the charges were much higher due to multiple procedures and biopsies. Contos appealed the charges, but Northwestern Medicine maintained that the billing was correct. Health experts suggest patients consider alternatives like ambulatory surgery centers for lower costs. Transparency and clear pricing are key to avoiding unexpected medical expenses.

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