Douglas vs. Ind. Living Center

An Article about this case from the New York Times can be found HERE.


Question:

Can Medicaid recipients sue a state for reducing the rates required by Medicaid?

Summary:

The state of California reduced rates of reimbursement from Medicaid to the recipients, which is a Federal-State law. But State law cannot trump Federal law because of the supremacy clause in Article 6 that basically states that Federal law is supreme.

Arguments:

California-

They are using Article 11 as a defense. Article 11 refers to a state's immunity against being sued by an individual.

Douglas-

The prosecution is using the Ex parte Young case in their argument. The case was about when Minnesota limited railroads charge, which violated the 14th amendment and was sued by shareholders of the railroad

Prediction:

I think the court will give the individuals the right to sue California because the Supreme Court will take into account the Federal Government before the State Government.