Douglas v. Independent Living Center of Southern California Inc., No. 09-958; U.S. Supreme Court; opinion by Breyer, J.; dissent by Roberts, C.J.; decided February 22, 2012. On certiorari to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Medicaid is a cooperative federal-state program that provides medical care to needy individuals. To qualify for federal funds, a state must submit its Medicaid plan and any amendments to the federal agency that administers the program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Before approving a plan or amendments, CMS conducts a review to determine whether they comply with federal requirements. Federal law requires state plans or amendments to “assure that payments are consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are sufficient to enlist enough providers” to make Medicaid “care and services” available. 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).
