The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has been in the news more than ever this year. In November, they will hear oral arguments on another landmark case. This one will decide whether the spending clause permits private claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The ruling could have big consequences regarding access to Medicaid and other government benefits.
The case is Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski. In this case, Talevski had dementia and was inappropriate in physically and sexually aggressive ways towards staff and residents. Doctors at the nursing home put Talevski on medication that the family did not agree with. The facility also tried to discharge Talevski to other facilities that were not in close proximity to his family. The family brought claims that the nursing home violated the Federal Nursing Home Amendments Act.
The SCOTUS blog says the issues in the case are: “(1) Whether, in light of compelling historical evidence to the contrary, the Supreme Court should reexamine its holding that spending clause legislation gives rise to privately enforceable rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; and (2) whether, assuming spending clause statutes ever give rise to private rights enforceable via Section 1983, the Federal Nursing Home Amendments Act of 1987’s transfer and medication rules do so.”
Section 1983 cases provide a way for Medicaid recipients to enforce their rights in federal court. Since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has limited powers to remedy wrongs committed by states upon benefits recipients, Section 1983 gave a route to justice for many. The Talevski case will be important in deciding what remedies benefits recipients have moving forward.
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