Despite being short-handed (there were only 8 justices for most of the Term), the United States Supreme Court decided a number of important cases during its most recent Term, which concluded on June 27, 2017. Among the 69 cases, several are of particular interest to ObGyns.
1. Arbitration in health care
In Kindred Nursing Centers v Clark, the Court decided an important case involving arbitration in health care.1
At stake. The families of 2 people who died after being in a long-term care facility filed lawsuits against the facility, claiming personal injury, violations of Kentucky statutes regarding long-term care facilities, and wrongful death. However, during admission to the facility, the patients (technically, their agents under a power of attorney) signed an agreement that any disputes would be taken to arbitration. The facility successfully had the lawsuits dismissed.
Final ruling. The Supreme Court agreed that the case had to go to arbitration rather than to court, even though the arbitration clause violated state law. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preempts state law. The Court has been very aggressive in enforcing arbitration agreements and striking down state laws that are inconsistent with the FAA. This case emphasizes that the FAA applies in the health care context.
The case suggests both a warning and an opportunity for health care providers. The warning is that arbitration clauses will be enforced; thoughtlessly entering into arbitration for future disputes may be dangerous. Among other things, the decision of arbitrators is essentially unreviewable. Appellate courts review the decisions of lower courts, but there is no such review in arbitration. Furthermore, arbitration may be stacked in favor of commercial entities that often use arbitrators.
The opportunity for health care providers lies in that it may be possible to include arbitration clauses in agreements with patients. This should be considered only after obtaining legal advice. The agreements should, for example, be consistent with the obligations to patients (in the case of the Kentucky facility, it made clear that accepting the arbitration agreement was not necessary in order to receive care or be admitted to the facility). Because arbitration agreements are becoming ubiquitous and rigorously enforced by federal courts, arbitration is bound to have an important function in health care.
2. Pharmaceuticals
Biologics and biosimilars
Biologics play an important role in health care. Eight of the top 10 selling drugs in 2016 were biologics.2 The case of Sandoz v Amgen involved biosimilar pharmaceuticals, essentially the generics of biologic drugs.3
At stake. While biologics hold great promise in medicine, they are generally very expensive. Just as with generics, brand-name companies (generally referred to as “reference” biologics) want to keep biosimilars off the market for as long as possible, thereby extending the advantages of monopolistic pricing. This Term the Supreme Court considered the statutory rules for licensing biosimilar drugs.
Final ruling. The Court’s decision will allow biosimilar companies to speed up the licensing process by at least 180 days. This is a modest win for patients and their physicians, but the legal issues around biosimilars will need additional attention.
Class action suits
In another case, the Court made it more difficult to file class action suits against pharmaceutical companies in state courts.4 Although this is a fairly technical decision, it is likely to have a significant impact in pharmaceutical liability by limiting classactions.
3. The travel ban
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists joined other medical organizations in an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief to challenge President Trump’s “travel ban.”5
At stake. The brief argued that the United States “relies upon a significant number of health professionals and scientists who have entered the country through the immigration system.”5
Final ruling. The Court allowed most of the travel ban to stay in place, but did permit entry into the United States by foreign nationals “with a close familial relationship,” or pre-existing ties to US businesses or institutions (such as students who have been admitted to American colleges, workers who have accepted US employment, or lecturers invited to address American audiences).6 Following the Term, the Administration issued a different travel ban, so the issue was taken off the Court’s calendar for the moment. There undoubtedly will be additional chapters to come.
4. Birth certificates and same-sex marriage
In Pavan v Smith, the legal question concerned whether married same-sex couples may have both parents listed on the birth certificate of children born during the marriage.7 Two same-sex couples conceived children through anonymous sperm donation and gave birth in Arkansas. The Department of Health in Arkansas issued birth certificates listing the mother’s name, but refused to list the spouse on the birth certificate.
At stake. The couples brought suit claiming a constitutional right to have both parents listed. In particular, they noted that under Arkansas law, the woman who gives birth is deemed to be the mother. When the woman is married, the husband’s name is “entered on the certificate as the father of the child.”8 The same-sex parents argued that a 2015 decision of the Supreme Court, which held that the Constitution requires states to recognize same-sex marriages, made it clear that same-sex couples should have the benefits of marriage.9 Eventually the case wound its way to the Supreme Court.
Final ruling. The Court held that if the state ordinarily lists the names of both husband and wife on such certificates, then same-sex couples are entitled to have birth certificates listing both parents. The Court noted that laws are unconstitutional if they treat same-sex couples differently than opposite-sex couples. Based on this principle, the Court held that parental birth certificate registration is part of the “constellations of benefits” linked to marriage that the Constitution affords same-sex couples. This ruling applies as a matter of constitutional right in all states.