Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments Considering Deference to Federal Executive Agencies in Loper and Relentless Cases

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and its companion case, Relentless v. Dept. of Commerce. The cases put in question the “Chevron deference” that protects the legal stability of public health programs like Medicare and Medicaid that benefit nearly half of the U.S. population by ensuring that laws passed by Congress can continue to be interpreted and implemented by expert federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

National health groups filed an amicus brief in September noting their concern, providing real-world examples of how the Chevron deference keeps the legal framework of Medicare and Medicaid in the hands of relevant policy experts at CMS. The following statement is on behalf of the patient, medical and public health groups listed below. 

“Jurisdiction over massive health programs like Medicaid and Medicare and interpretation of complex health policies that govern the American health system should remain with the authority of federal executive agencies tasked by Congress to lead such relevant and critical work.”

“In a shared mission to protect and advance public health, our organizations urge the Supreme Court to uphold the long-standing Chevron precedent and ensure the continued stability and strength of our nation’s health care system that serves millions with cancer and other chronic diseases.”

The above statement is on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids, Child Neurology Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association. National Health Law Program, Physicians for Social Responsibility, The ALS Association, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Truth Initiative.