August 5th, 2011

The Hill reports:

Four pharmacy groups are calling on the Supreme Court to give patients and healthcare providers such as hospitals the right to challenge states’ Medicaid cuts.

The four trade associations filed an amicus brief in a California lawsuit challenging a 2008 cut of 10 percent to Medicaid rates for providers. The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the fall and issue a ruling next spring.

“Pharmacists and pharmacies such as the members of the associations providing this amicus brief are on the front line of providing healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiaries,” the brief argues. “It is in the public interest that those with the resources, the incentive, and who suffer an injury that is concrete, particular and redressable, such as providers, have a means by which they can seek to assure that states do not pass state laws which conflict with federal law intended to protect ‘the most needy in the country.’”

Ironically, the case comes just as federal regulators must decide whether to approve California’s request for another round of cuts. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has asked for permission to slash the state Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by another $1.4 billion in order to help plug a $26.6 billion hole in the state budget.

For the rest of the story, read The Hill