Skip to main content

Azar v. Allina Health Services

Docket No.17-1484
Op. BelowD.C. Cir.
ArgumentJan 15, 2019

Holding

Because the Department of Health and Human Services neglected its statutory notice-and-comment obligations when it revealed a new policy that dramatically, and retroactively, reduced Medicare payments to hospitals serving low-income patients, its policy must be vacated.

Judgment

Affirmed, 7-1, in an opinion by Neil Gorsuch on Jun 2, 2019. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Feb 16, 2018
Application (17A880) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from February 27, 2018 to March 29, 2018, submitted to The Chief Justice.
Feb 21, 2018
Application (17A880) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until March 29, 2018.
Mar 19, 2018
Application (17A880) to extend further the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from March 29, 2018 to April 27, 2018, submitted to The Chief Justice.
Mar 22, 2018
Application (17A880) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until April 27, 2018.
Apr 27, 2018
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 30, 2018)
May 23, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 30, 2018 to June 29, 2018, submitted to The Clerk.
May 24, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including June 29, 2018.
Jun 19, 2018
Brief of respondents Allina Health Services, et al. in opposition filed.
Jul 3, 2018
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/24/2018.
Jul 5, 2018
Reply of petitioner Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services filed. (Distributed)
Sep 27, 2018
Petition GRANTED limited to the following question: Whether 42 U. S. C. §1395hh(a)(2) or §1395hh(a)(4) required the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct notice-and-comment rulemaking before providing the challenged instructions to a Medicare Administrator Contractor making initial determinations of payments due under Medicare.
Oct 19, 2018
Justice Kavanaugh is recused in this case.
Nov 13, 2018
Joint appendix filed.
Nov 13, 2018
Brief of petitioner Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services filed.
Nov 28, 2018
SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Nov 30, 2018
CIRCULATED
Dec 11, 2018
Record requested from the U.S.C.A. District of Columbia Circuit.
Dec 13, 2018
Brief of respondents Allina Health Services, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 14, 2018
Record received from the U.S.C.A. Dist. of Columbia Circuit is electronic and located on PACER, with the exception of the transcript of the Oral Argument which is electronic.
Dec 20, 2018
Brief amici curiae of American Medical Association and Medical Society of the District of Columbia filed. (Distributed)
Dec 20, 2018
Brief amici curiae of American Hospital Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 20, 2018
Brief amici curiae of 77 Hospitals and Southwest Consulting Associates filed. (Distributed)
Dec 20, 2018
Brief amici curiae of Catholic Health, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 20, 2018
Brief amici curiae of Fourteen State and Regional Hospital Associations filed. (Distributed)
Jan 8, 2019
Reply of petitioner Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services filed. (Distributed)
Jan 15, 2019
Argued. For petitioner: Edwin S. Kneedler, Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Pratik A. Shah, Washington, D. C.
Jun 3, 2019
Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Ginsburg, Alito, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion. Kavanaugh, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.
Jul 5, 2019
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

Welcome to SCOTUSblog

Tell us a bit about yourself so we can tailor what you see. You can update these any time in your account.