                                                                                           ACCEPTED
                                                                                       03-15-00657-CV
                                                                                               7565577
                                                                            THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                       AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                                 10/27/2015 4:07:34 PM
                                                                                     JEFFREY D. KYLE
                                                                                                CLERK
                              No. 03-15-00657-CV

                                                                     FILED IN
                                                              3rd COURT OF APPEALS
                        In the Court of Appeals                    AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                              10/27/2015 4:07:34 PM
                     for the Third Judicial District              JEFFREY D. KYLE
                                                                       Clerk
                            at Austin, Texas

   CHRIS TRAYLOR, AS EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER OF THE TEXAS HEALTH AND
                    HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, et al.
                                           Appellants,
                                       v.

               DIANA D., AS NEXT FRIEND OF KD, A CHILD, et al.
                                             Appellees.


                              On Appeal from the
             200th Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas



      RULE 24.4 MOTION TO VACATE COUNTER-SUPERSEDEAS ORDER
     OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, INCREASE COUNTER-SUPERSEDEAS BOND


TO THE HONORABLE THIRD COURT OF APPEALS:
     The trial court’s grant of counter-supersedeas regarding its injunction, which

prevents the Health and Human Services Commission from using the recently

adopted rates for therapy services, or from adopting new rules using the

Commission’s own methodology. The new rates were adopted pursuant to a budget

rider directing cuts to this specific program. A judicial order precluding the

Commission from giving effect to that rider violates both the Supremacy and
Spending Clauses of the United States Constitution and the separation-of-powers

and business-with-the-United-States provisions of the Texas Constitution. The trial

court’s order—like any injunctive relief related to Medicaid rates for which there is

no express statutory remedy—impermissibly changes the form and substance of

Texas’s Medicaid obligations, usurps a power expressly reserved to the executive

branch of the federal government, and acts as a de facto judicial veto of a budget rider

without any judicial determination of a constitutional defect.

      The effect of this order is magnified by the fact that the cuts in question were

triggered by a budget rider requiring cuts to these rates in each year of the upcoming

biennium. Delay in setting the new rate could well result in the Commission having

to cut rates even further to satisfy the Legislature’s instructions for the amount to be

spent in this fiscal year—in effect, the order is a judicial line-item budget veto.

      The only remedy contemplated by law for a general complaint about the

setting of Texas Medicaid rates is withholding of Medicaid funding by the United

States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and there is no statutory- or rule-

based right in Texas law broader than the Medicaid Act’s provisions. Accordingly,

it is a violation of both the Texas and United States Constitutions to issue judicial

relief concurrent to—and potentially in conflict with—the executive branch of the

federal government.


                                           2
      Alternatively, defendants ask the Court to increase the bond on which the

counter-supersedeas is based from $500 to the $100,000,000 of taxpayer funds that

the budget rider indicates this case could cost if the appellate process is not

completed within two years. Rule 24 does not contemplate a reduced bond amount

based on the plaintiff’s status: counter-supersedeas is available only based on a bond

that will make the party who sought to supersede the judgment from the damages

caused by changing the status quo, then having to change it back. TEX. R. APP. P.

24.2(a)(3). And that damage is real: money will ultimately have to be moved from

other programs, or Medicaid rates will have to be cut even further for these

beneficiaries or across the board, to pay for plaintiffs’ lawsuit.

I.    A COUNTER-SUPERSEDEAS ORDER IS SUBJECT TO ATTACK IN THE
      COURT OF APPEALS, IF IT COMMITS FUNDAMENTAL ERROR BY
      EXERCISING EXTRA-JUDICIAL AUTHORITY.

      A supersedeas (or counter-supersedeas) order may be challenged on motion

in the court of appeals on the ground that the underlying judgment or order should

not be suspended. TEX. R. APP. P. 24.4(a)(4); see In re State Bd. for Educator

Certification, 452 S.W.3d 802, 808-09 (Tex. 2014) (pointing out the separation-of-

powers problems implicit in effecting a final judgment through supersedeas). Review

is for abuse of discretion. Devine v. Devine, No. 07-15-00126-CV, 2015 WL 5228254,

at *3 (Tex. App.—Amarillo, Sept. 2, 2015, no pet. h.) (per curiam) (collecting


                                            3
authority). A district court abuses its discretion by entering a legally incorrect order.

E.g., Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840 (Tex. 1992) (“a trial court has no

‘discretion’ in determining what the law is or applying the law to the facts”).

      This motion is limited to fundamental constitutional limitations transgressed

by the trial court’s order and leaves the other jurisdictional bars to plaintiffs’ suit—

such as lack of provider standing, failure to describe an ultra vires claim, and

improperly using § 2001.038 of the APA as a means of judicial review—for briefing

in the combined interlocutory appeal. See McCauley v. Consol. Underwriters, 157 Tex.

421, 477, 304 S.W.2d 265, 266 (1957) (per curiam) (fundamental error includes

orders that transgress public policy determinations made in Constitution). Medicaid

is a Spending Clause program, created as a contract between the United States and

Texas. Absent an unambiguous grant of a private right of action, the only remedy for

the State’s rate-setting actions is withholding of federal funds by the Secretary. 42

U.S.C. § 1396c. The counter-supersedeas order is inconsistent with the Medicaid

Act’s remedial provision regarding rates and, as a result, violates both the United

States and Texas Constitutions by imposing a separate judge-made mechanism for

reviewing Medicaid rates parallel to review by the Secretary.




                                           4
II.   THE MEDICAID PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE A JUDICIALLY-
      ENFORCEABLE CAUSE OF ACTION BASED ON PLAINTIFFS’ CLAIMS
      REGARDING “ACCESS” TO CARE—THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS IN THE
      HANDS OF THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
      SERVICES.

      Medicaid is a Spending Clause program that subsidizes state provision of

medical services to the economically disadvantaged. 42 U.S.C. § 1396-1; see

Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Ctr., Inc., 135 S. Ct. 1378, 1382 (2015) (Appendix Tab

E). The program functions as a contract: in order to qualify for funding, the federal

government approves a Medicaid “plan,” see 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a), to be

administered by the State. See Douglas v. Indep. Living Ctr. of S. Calif., 132 S. Ct.

1204, 1210 (2012) (federal agency’s acceptance of Medicaid plan, within its

expertise, precluded any basis for claim in state court). The remedy for the State’s

violation of the plan is the withholding of Medicaid funds by the Secretary of Health

and Human Services. 42 U.S.C. § 1396c (Appendix Tab H).

      There is no implicit right to challenge Medicaid rates in court. Armstrong, 125

S. Ct. at 1384 (dismissing Medicaid rate challenge brought under Constitution); Gen.

Servs. Comm’n v. Little-Tex Insulation Co., 39 S.W.3d 591, 599 (Tex. 2001) (there is

no implicit right to judicial review of statutory administrative determinations). Any

right to judicial action regarding Medicaid fees must be related to an express grant of

a judicially enforceable right by Congress, Armstrong, 135 S. Ct. at 1385, 1387, or, by


                                          5
extension, a State legislature, id. at 1387-88 (concluding that judicial right of action

must be “unambiguously conferred” in Spending Clause context (quoting Gonzaga

Univ. v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 283 (2002)).

       One reason it makes sense that rates are not subject to judicial review is that

they must be reset periodically according to the amount appropriated to the program

by Congress and the Legislature. 42 U.S.C. § 1396b (setting amount to be distributed

to states “From the sums appropriated therefor”); e.g., TEX. HUM. RES. CODE

§ 32.028; 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 355.201(c)(4) (requiring consideration of “levels

of appropriated state . . . funds . . . that limit, restrict, or condition the availability of

appropriated funds for medical assistance”). If a court could issue an order imposing

higher rates, it would in effect be countermanding the legislative branch’s budget

determinations. Given that the definition of the statutory rates includes a factor to

account for varying amounts of appropriation—such as the rider decreasing funding

for the treatments at issue in this case—judicially imposed Medicaid rates based on

provider preferences would constantly clash with the separation of powers.

       In accepting the federal contract, Texas has not added an additional right to

judicial relief regarding rate setting for these particular services. When a statute or

rule requires such review, the requirement is usually explicit. E.g., 1 TEX. ADMIN.

CODE § 355.8063 (2010) (Tex. Health and Human Servs. Comm’n, Medicaid Health


                                              6
Serv.), repealed by 35 Tex. Reg. 6511, 6513 (2010) (formerly providing administrative

appeal process for hospital inpatient Medicaid reimbursement rates). As explained

below, moreover, while plaintiffs hang their hats on the concept of “access,”

suggesting that judicial intervention is appropriate because these particular patients

might not be able to continue to receive services from these particular providers, the

Medicaid Act defines the term “access” more narrowly. Rates must be:

      sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are
      available under the plan at least to the extent that such care and services
      are available to the general population in the geographic area.

42 U.S.C. § 1396a(30)(A) (Appendix Tab H). The Fifth Circuit, relying on the

precedent applied in Armstrong, has held that this language does not create an

individual right. Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697, 701 (5th Cir.

2007) (Appendix Tab F).

      To be clear, the Legislature has created an entitlement to bring suit in state

court to the extent it has promulgated standards for the adoption of rules governing

administrative rates and made those rules subject to the judicial-review mechanisms

of the Administrative Procedure Act. See El Paso Hosp. Dist. v. Tex. Health & Human

Servs. Comm’n, 247 S.W.3d 709, 711, 714-15 (Tex. 2008) (reviewing agency’s

practice of calculating “cutoff date” as improper failure to adopt administrative rule

when agency was required to engage in formal rulemaking); see also TEX. HUMAN


                                           7
provides inherent judicial review of agency acts affecting vested property rights,

e.g., SSC Mo. City Operating Co., LP v. Tex. Dep’t of Aging & Disability Servs., No.

03-09-00299-CV, 2009 WL 4725286, at *6 (Tex. App.—Austin 2009, pet. denied)

(mem. op.) (mere expectation of providing services insufficient to trigger providers’

inherent review claim). But, absent an additional requirement created by the

Legislature (which there is not) or a vested right (which plaintiffs do not claim),

there is no remedy related to Medicaid rate setting available to the Texas courts.1

E.g., Little-Tex Insulation Co., 39 S.W.3d at 599.

III. THE TEXAS STATUTES AND RULES DO NOTHING TO CHANGE THE
     EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES IMPOSED BY THE MEDICAID REGIME
     REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF RATES.

       Plaintiffs’ allegations point to nothing in Texas law that adds a substantive

right to the core of the Medicaid contractual arrangement. The Legislature enacted

a rider to the budget requiring $50,000,000 budget savings through rate reductions

for acute care therapy services, including physical, occupational, and speech

therapies, in each fiscal year of the current biennium. 2016-17 General

Appropriations Act, 84th Leg., R.S., 2015 (Article II, Health & Human Servs.

Comm’n), Rider 50(c) (Appendix Tab G) (“Rider 50(c)”). The Commission has been

attempting to adopt new reimbursement rates to account for this decrease since

1
  Plaintiffs appear to believe that the ultra vires cause of action implicitly allows judicial review
of actions taken under statute. As explained below, this is untrue. The ultra vires cause of action
does allow judicial review, because it does not apply retroactively and because, per Little-Tex,
there is no common-law right to judicial review. See infra, n.3.
                                                 8
Appropriations Act, 84th Leg., R.S., 2015 (Article II, Health & Human Servs.

Comm’n), Rider 50(c) (Appendix Tab G) (“Rider 50(c)”). The Commission has

been attempting to adopt new reimbursement rates to account for this decrease since

before the beginning of the fiscal year, although it has withdrawn some of those

proceedings. The current rates became effective on October 1, 2015, but cannot be

applied because of the interlocutory relief in this case. See CR.351-73 (Appendix Tab

C).

      Plaintiffs are Medicaid recipients and providers. CR.338-39 (Appendix Tab

B). They claim that the rate reductions at issue in this case will force providers out

of business, violating unspecified “state-mandated access standards.” Id. at 342-43

¶ 24, see also id. ¶ 27 (rates “deny” named plaintiffs “access to providers and

services”). Their legal theory is that the rates could not have been adopted

consistent with certain procedural administrative rules and, therefore, that the rate-

adoption process constitutes the implicit amendment of the governing

administrative rules under the APA and an ultra vires act. CR.345-46 ¶¶ 30-34. They

further argue that the statutory obligation to “maximize” the Medicaid finance

system imposes a separate, judicially enforceable obligation on the Commission.

CR.343-44 ¶ 26, and attempt (but fail) to plead a due-course-of-law claim, CR.344-




                                          9
45 ¶ 28. In short, they imply that Texas law creates a substantive right to challenge

Medicaid rates even though the Medicaid Act does not.

      This argument is a mirage, because the relevant administrative rules merely

incorporate the contractual terms of the Medicaid arrangement into Texas law.

There is no right to access services as a general matter, nor to provide them. Rather,

under the federal standard, there is a requirement that rates be set so that there is

similar access to treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries as there is for individuals with

private insurance within a given geographic area. Plaintiffs misread the relevant

Texas statutes and rules when they attempt to derive a judge-made right of “access”

to care that reaches over and beyond the requirements of the Medicaid program.

42 U.S.C. § 1396a(30)(A)

      Thus, the relevant administrative rule requiring “reasonable availability and

accessibility of specialists for all covered services requiring specialty care,” 1 TEX.

ADMIN. CODE § 353.411(a)(5), merely incorporates the term “access” from the

federal Medicaid act. Plaintiffs attempt to impute a broader grant of a substantive

right than the Medicaid Act, because there is no geographic limitation in the cherry-

picked language they quote. But that reading ignores context. Section 353.411(a)(5)

is in the standards for provision of Medicaid through a “Managed Care

Organization” or “MCO.” E.g., id. § 353.411(a); see TEX. GOV’T CODE


                                          10
§ 533.001(4), (5). MCOs are limited to particular geographic service areas. TEX.

GOV’T CODE § 533.004(a) (requiring MCOs be regional or tied to particular hospital

district).

       The rules on which plaintiffs rely are geographically limited, consistent with

the Medicaid Act.2 As the Fifth Circuit has held, there is no judicially enforceable

individual right to challenge Medicaid rates based on “access,” because rates are

based on the Secretary’s assessment of services available to private insureds, a

matter that is outside of judicial cognizance. Equal Access, 509 F.3d at 701 (discussing

42 U.S.C. § 1396a(30)(A)). Thus, there is no additional “access” right in Texas law

that supersedes the limitations placed on the concept of “access” by the Medicaid

Act, or Texas’s acceptance of the terms of the Medicaid program.

       Nor can the “optimization” language of § 531.02113 of the Government Code

create a legal basis for attacking Medicaid rates under Texas law, because it does not

create a judicially enforceable standard for intervening in the contractual

arrangement that is continuously negotiated between the federal and state executive


2 Plaintiffs also cite provisions of the Government Code requiring that the MCOs assure a
“sufficient number of . . . . specialty pediatric providers of home and community-based services”
and provide that “health care services will be accessible through the . . . provider network to a
comparable extent that health care services would be available to recipients [under other methods
of distributing Medicaid funds].” CR.344 ¶27 (invoking TEX. GOV’T CODE § 533.005(a)(21)).
These requirements are, likewise, geographically limited and, therefore, merely track the
requirements of federal law.

                                               11
departments. After all, the total amount of funding available for Medicaid is always

subject to appropriation, 42 U.S.C. § 1396b; 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 355.201(c)(4).

Section 531.02113 cannot be construed as creating a separate right to obtain a judicial

order requiring the Commission to spend more state money than the Legislature

appropriated.3 Such a rule would create a running separation-of-powers problem for


3 Plaintiffs’ procedural argument—which the Commission addresses here only to forestall any
argument that there is a substantive right hidden in the procedural provisions—likewise provides
no substantive Texas-law right to trigger an ability to substitute the Court’s order for that of the
Secretary. Texas law allows challenges to the content of the rules by which rates are set, but not
the rates themselves. Plaintiffs cite the recited list of bases for rate setting to challenge the rates.
See CR.343 ¶ 25 (invoking 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §§ 355.8021; 355.8441; 355.8085; see also 1 TEX.
ADMIN. CODE § 355.201(e), (f) (notice requirements for ratemaking). But the causes of action they
invoke would entitle them, at most, to a prospective declaration regarding the underlying rules, not
to undo an already-adopted rate. This result is compelled not only by the existence of an exclusive
federal remedy, but also by two general propositions of Texas administrative law on which plaintiffs
rely. See CR.345-46, ¶¶ 31 & 34. First, § 2001.038 of the Government Code cannot be used to
challenge specific applications of rules, as in rate making or contested-case orders. TEX. GOV’T
CODE § 2001.038(a) (allowing challenge to “applicability”—not application—of administrative
rules). Second, the ultra vires cause of action cannot reach back and undo specific executive acts;
it is prospective only. City of El Paso v. Heinrich, 284 S.W.3d 366, 376 (Tex. 2007). Plaintiffs’
invocation of the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act is necessarily premised on the ultra vires
claim, because it does not waive immunity for such claims, id. at 369, and it cannot be used parallel
to a § 2001.038 request for declaratory judgment because their claim stems entirely from supposed
amendments to the relevant administrative rules and is therefore an impermissible redundant
remedy, Tex. Dep’t of State Health Services v. Balquinta, 429 S.W.3d 726, 746-47 (Tex. App.—
Austin 2014, pet. dism’d).

        Other provisions on which plaintiffs rely do not apply to rate making at all, but are principles
that govern the rules under which rates are calculated. E.g., TEX. GOV’T CODE § 2006.002
(“Adoption of Rules With Adverse Economic Effect” (emphasis added)). As in El Paso Hospital
District, to the extent suit is available regarding the rules, it is created by a separate entitlement to
particular standards of rulemaking—not ratemaking.

       In its previous briefing, the Commission relied on a provision that does not apply to this
case, which requires contested-case proceedings to determine certain Medicaid rates. See TEX.
HUM. RES. CODE § 32.0281(e). That statute does not apply to the current rate-setting regime,
which does not take place through contested-case proceedings. See CR.684-89 (affidavit of Pam
                                                   12
the hundreds of fee schedules and millions of dollars overseen by the Commission’s

rates department.

                                            * * *

       Plaintiffs can point to nothing in Texas law that purports to create greater

substantive rights regarding access or rates in the Medicaid program. Accordingly,

the only appropriate remedy regarding rates is the Secretary’s power to withhold

Medicaid funds. The district court’s actions in contravention of that exclusive

authority constitute fundamental error.

IV.    THE TRIAL COURT’S ISSUANCE OF COUNTER-SUPERSEDEAS, LIKE
       THE ISSUANCE OF ANY JUDICIAL RELIEF RELATED TO MEDICAID
       RATES, VIOLATES THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS CONSTITUTIONS.

       The trial court accepted plaintiffs’ legal characterizations and issued a

temporary injunction, in which it included a counter-supersedeas finding and order.

CR.587-97 (Appendix Tab A). As a basis for plaintiffs’ harm and probable right of

recovery, the district court recited, among other things, that minor children would

“probably be deprived” of critical services, multiple providers (not necessarily the

plaintiff providers) would “probably . . . go out of business/or stop providing

Medicaid services,” the quality of care would “probably decrease,” there

“probably” would be “disincentives for Medicaid providers to use preventive care,”


McDonald) (Appendix Tab D); see also CR.688-89 ¶¶ 14-16 (setting out $5.6 million cost increase
that would be required to handle therapy ratemaking under plaintiffs’ theory).
                                              13
and the new rates would “probably prevent Texas Medicaid beneficiaries from

receiving critical services.” CR.595 ¶ 33. All of these concerns are in the Secretary’s

purview—not that of Texas courts. In short, the district court’s counter-supersedeas

order implements a remedy inconsistent with the Secretary’s authority. That defect

is fundamental error under the United States and Texas Constitutions.

      A.     The Order Violates the Supremacy Clause and is
             Inconsistent with Limitations on Spending Clause
             Power.

      Because exclusive remedial power over rates and access claims is vested with

the Secretary, the assertion of a judicially enforceable right to change those rates

violates:

             1.     The Supremacy Clause of the United States
                    Constitution preempts the district court’s order.

      As the United States Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit have pointed out,

absent an unambiguous grant of judicial power, the Medicaid Act creates an

exclusive remedy regarding rate amounts and access to care: withdrawal of funding

by the Secretary. Armstrong, 135 S. Ct. at 1384; Equal Access, 509 F.3d at 701. Any

additional requirements of a spending program cannot be implemented without

giving the State the ability to decide whether to participate in the program as

constituted. See Nat’l Fed’n of Indep. Bus. v. Sebelius, 132 S. Ct. 2566, 2606 (2012)

(holding that § 1396a would be unconstitutional as applied to withhold funding from

                                          14
states based on failure to comply with newly imposed requirements of the Medicaid

system, absent voluntary state participation). Thus, to the extent that Texas has

signed on to accept Medicaid based on the content of the Medicaid contract—which

does not include exposure to judicial review regarding Medicaid rates—federal law

mandates that there be no judicial interference with the exclusive, executive-

department remedy provided by the Medicaid Act.

      The Supremacy Clause makes federal law “the supreme Law of the Land.”

U.S. CONST. art. VI, cl.2. While state obligations under a Spending Clause program

are triggered by accepting federal funds, the requirements of the program remain

binding on the states once adopted. Spending Clause legislation can have preemptive

effect under the Supremacy Clause. See Pharm. Research & Mfrs. of Amer. v. Walsh,

538 U.S. 644, 661-69 (2003) (plurality op.) (Supremacy Clause provisions preempt

state law, although statute in question not preempted); id. at 684-690 (O’Connor, J.,

dissenting on ground that statute was preempted); id. at 675 (Scalia, J., concurring

on ground that exclusive remedy of termination by Secretary preempts contrary

laws); id. at 683 (Thomas, J., concurring, expressing doubt that private parties can

enforce Spending Clause program provision in any circumstance). Justice Scalia’s

view prevailed with regard to rate setting and § 1983 in Armstrong: the only remedy

in federal law for these claims is recourse to the Secretary, and the only legal recourse


                                           15
is that which federal law provides against the Secretary. Nothing in Texas law

changes that allocation of authority.

      Such federal grants of exclusive jurisdiction, to the courts or federal executive

entities, preempt contrary state action. E.g., Entergy Gulf States, Inc. v. Pub. Util.

Comm’n, 173 S.W.3d 199, 207 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005, pet. denied) (Texas

agency’s failure to give effect to federal agency’s action was preempted). The

existence of an exclusive federal forum deprives the Texas courts of jurisdiction. See

Mills v. Warner Lambert Co., 157 S.W.3d 424, 427-28 (Tex. 2005). The district

court’s counter-supersedeas order is preempted by federal law because it attempts

to prevent implementation of published Medicaid rates in the absence of

constitutional power to do so.

             2.     The District Court’s order is likewise incompatible
                    with Spending Clause precedent.

      Not only does Armstrong compel the result that the Secretary has exclusive

jurisdiction to review rates, but there is a potential constitutional defect in allowing

third parties to enforce Spending Clause requirements at all. See Walsh, 538 U.S. at

683 (Thomas, J., concurring). As Justice Thomas pointed out in his Walsh

concurrence, the Secretary’s power to terminate Medicaid funding carries with it

the power to forgive or accept policy outcomes for the purpose of encouraging the

state to perform better in other areas, or as a recognition of the particular health

                                          16
challenges facing individual states. Id. at 680-81 (discussing nature of Secretary’s

discretion and pointing out that Secretary had adopted policy allowing states more

latitude in implementing Medicaid than plaintiffs alleged).

      The Medicaid rate system—in which review of rates is in the hands of the

Secretary—is in substance a series of negotiations between the federal and state

executive departments. Because the Medicaid program is in the form of a federal-

state contract, recognizing a Texas cause of action to review rates or stop their

adoption would, as Justice Thomas explained, undermine Medicaid’s contractual

nature deriving from the requirements of the Spending Clause. Armstrong, 135 S. Ct.

at 1387 (Scalia, J.) (plurality op.) (citing Walsh, 538 U.S. at 683 (Thomas, J.,

concurring) (concluding that contractual nature of Medicaid forecloses third-party

beneficiaries of contracts between two governments to sue)). Texas has contracted

to satisfy the Secretary’s view of Medicaid requirements, not the separate

interpretation of the Medicaid Act by the federal and/or state judiciaries.

      B.     The Order Likewise Violates Article II, § 1 and Article
             IV, § 10 of the Texas Constitution.

      The Texas Constitution contains cognate provisions that require Texas courts

not to take action to interpret the access provision of the Medicaid Act, and Texas

laws implementing that Act in lieu of the Secretary’s exercise of discretion.



                                         17
               1.      The District Court’s order violates the separation-
                       of-power requirement not only by improperly
                       restraining the executive department, but by, in
                       effect, vetoing a budget rider without any
                       constitutional basis for doing so.

       The Texas Constitution affirmatively mandates the separation of powers

among the three branches of government. TEX. CONST. art. II, § 1. The Texas

statutes and rules are structured to mirror the requirements of the Medicaid Act,

which, in turn, creates an exclusive remedy in the Secretary. Implying a judicial cause

of action in contravention of the Legislature’s choice not to create one would violate

the separation of powers. E.g., In re Entergy Corp., 142 S.W.3d 316, 321-22 (Tex.

2004) (rejecting separation-of-powers argument regarding executive exercise of

putatively judicial determination on ground that there is no general right to judicial

review of administrative action). Some executive-department actions are

unreviewable by the courts. E.g., Gulf Land Co. v. Atl. Ref. Co., 134 Tex. 59, 73-74,

131 S.W.2d 73, 82 (1939). This is particularly true when a procedure is created by

statute, because a statute that creates rights can place them outside of judicial review.

Houston Mun. Emps. Pension Sys. v. Ferrell, 248 S.W.3d 151, 157-58 (Tex. 2007).4




4 Similarly, there are constitutional limitations on the Legislature’s power to impose remedies on
the Legislative branch. The suspension of laws provision, TEX. CONST. art. I, § 28, affirmatively
limits the power of the judiciary to exercise policy discretion to avoid executive branch action. E.g.,
Gerst v. Nixon, 411 S.W.2d 350, 354 (Tex. 1966) (striking down statute allowing court to determine
the public good by preponderance of the evidence); see also 1 GEORGE D. BRADEN ET. AL., THE
                                                  18
       One manifestation of the separation-of-powers clause is the exclusive-

jurisdiction doctrine, under which lawsuits must be dismissed if the subject-matter

or remedy sought is conferred by law on an executive-branch agency. E.g., In re

Entergy Corp., 142 S.W.3d at 321-22. The Secretary’s exclusive power to impose

orders related to the adoption of Medicaid rates is subject to this doctrine.

       As explained above, the Texas-law provisions regarding access do not purport

to create greater rights than the Medicaid Act or provide judicial review of

ratemaking. It would violate the separation of powers to ignore this legislative grant

of discretion to the executive department.

       There is also a legislative problem. Medicaid rates are subject to the amount

of appropriations. 42 U.S.C. § 1396b; 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 355.201(c)(4). In this

case, the rate cuts have been triggered by a rider requiring particular reductions in

funding in each year of the current biennium. The counter-supersedeas order

effectively renders null a budget provision without any triggering constitutional

determination or statutory grant of authority.5 The courts lack power to change the



CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: AN ANNOTATED AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS, 93-94
(1977).

5Thus, plaintiffs could bring suit under the Texas constitution if they had established a vested
property interest. Little-Tex, 39 S.W.3d at 599. But plaintiffs allege no property rights that are not
subject to future appropriations and cannot, therefore, asserted a vested right in the current levels
of reimbursement. See Eldercare Properties, Inc. v. Dep’t of Hum. Servs., 63 S.W.3d 551, 556 (Tex.
App.—Austin 2001, pet. denied) (nursing home lacked vested property right in economic impact
                                                 19
budget absent a predicate constitutional violation. E.g., Jessen Assocs., Inc. v. Bullock,

531 S.W.2d 593, 601-02 (Tex. 1975) (declining to change effect of constitutionally

valid rider). And plaintiffs’ only asserted constitutional claim, based on due course

of law, is legally defective because none of the plaintiffs has a vested property interest

in a particular level of Medicaid rate, much less a right to rates not subject to

reduction by appropriation.6

               2.      The District Court’s order ignores the substantive
                       effect of the Business-With-the-United-States
                       Clause of the Texas Constitution.

       The Texas Constitution requires that the Governor “conduct, in person, or

in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, all intercourse and business of the State

with other States and with the United States.” TEX. CONST. art. IV, § 10. The Texas

Medicaid statutes and rules specify that the business of interfacing with the

Secretary shall be carried out by the Commission. TEX. HUM. RES. CODE § 32.021.



of funding other service providers); see also Pers. Care Prods. v. Hawkins, 635 F.3d 155, 158-59 (5th
Cir. 2011) (providers have no property interest in amount of future rates). And the beneficiaries’
interest in the program are not impacted at all: they are still entitled to receive reimbursed care if
there is a provider in the system who will accept Medicaid as payment.

6 Plaintiffs cite the due-course provision. CR.344-45 ¶ 28. But due course of law does not require
judicial action in all cases; it must be triggered by a vested right. E.g., Klumb v. Houston Mun. Emps.
Pension Sys., 458 S.W.3d 1, 15-16 (Tex. 2015) (dismissing due-course claims because face of
complaint showed that plaintiffs had no vested property interest). Because rates are conditioned
both on executive-department action by the Secretary and appropriation by the Legislature, any
interest in a particular Medicaid rate is contingent on the executive process and cannot be the basis
of a due-course claim. There are no vested rights at issue in this lawsuit. See supra, n. 5.
                                                 20
That statutory provision is, necessarily, a delegation of authority to interact with the

United States on the Governor’s behalf. If the Governor or his designee acts within

the scope of federal and state law, the decision is binding on the courts. See, e.g.,

Adams v. Calvert, 396 S.W.2d 948, 950 (Tex. 1965) (Governor’s decisions within gap

between requirements of state law and of federal law unassailable by law); see also 1

BRADEN ET AL, at 318-320.

      This is the flip side of the Secretary’s discretion. The Commission, as the

Governor’s designee, has discretion to implement the federal-state contract from the

state side. Any judicial remedy that is not entered pursuant to a statutory grant of

authority or a finding of unconstitutionality is, necessarily, an improper impairment

of gubernatorial authority under Article IV, § 10.

V.    IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THE COURT SHOULD REDUCE THE COUNTER-
      SUPERSEDEAS BOND.

      Even if counter-supersedeas is within the district court’s power, the bond of

$500, CR.596-97 (“$500 . . . shall serve as the security for this Order declining to

permit the Temporary Injunction to be superseded”), fails to take into account

either the total amount by which the rider requires expenditures to be reduced, see

Rider 50(c), or the expense of almost $5.6 million annual cost to the State and the

Commission of potentially having to adopt other rules in the counter-statutory



                                          21
method advanced by plaintiffs, CR.699-89 ¶¶ 14-16. The $500 amount has no

relationship whatsoever to the total fiscal impact of this order on the State of Texas.

      Plaintiffs provided no justification for the amount of the $500 bond, apart

from counsel’s preference that the bond be “nominal” to account for plaintiffs’

already-expended litigation costs. 4.RR.264 (basing bond amount on counsel’s

experience and the identity of the parties), 5.RR.7 (“more than a nominal bond

wouldn’t make sense to me”). While plaintiffs’ counsel referred to deposition

testimony that shortfalls in the Medicaid budget are often made up at the end of the

fiscal year, see 5.RR.7, it does not follow that there is no harm to the taxpayers.

Moving $100,000,000 from other programs to Medicaid hurts the public fisc.

Ignoring that fact in setting a supersedeas bond represents an abuse of discretion,

because Rule 24.4 does not contemplate a nominal bond to support counter

supersedeas.

      A counter-supersedeas bond must “secure the judgment debtor against any

loss or damage caused by the relief granted the judgment creditor.” TEX. R. APP. P.

24.2(3). The bond should have been set at $100,000,000, the amount that will have

to be moved from other portions of the budget to cover Medicaid expenditures that

the Legislature intended to cut from the budget during the next biennium, on the

face of Rider 50(c). That amount would likely subsume the damage to the state


                                          22
budget from a court requiring the Commission to hire 50.7 new FTEs to comply with

the injunction, then release them again after the Commission prevails on appeal. See

CR.688-89 ¶ 16.

      The counter-supersedeas bond is not a down payment on relief; it is a pledge

to make the appellant entirely whole if it ultimately prevails, offsetting the fact that

the bond serves to change, rather than maintain, the status quo. Cf. In re Estate of

Hernandez, No. 04-14-00046-CV, 2014 WL 1713566, at *2 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio 2014, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (purpose of supersedeas is to maintain the

status quo). This point is important: a supersedeas bond covers the risk of maintaining

the status quo, but a counter-supersedeas bond must cover the harm caused by

changing the status quo before litigation concludes. Rule 24 makes no allowance for

litigation costs, nor does it allow the court to take into account the identity of the

parties: to issue counter-supersedeas, the Court must ensure that no harm comes

from changing the status quo during the appeal. $100,000,000 of taxpayer money will

potentially be withheld from other programs because plaintiffs obtained a change in

the status quo.

      Put another way, it is improper for a supersedeas order to, in effect, resolve

the core issues in a case prior to appeal. See Hydroscience Techs., Inc. v. Hydroscience,

Inc., 358 S.W.3d 759, 761 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011) (orig. motion). If this litigation


                                           23
lasts through the biennium, which seems likely, the rider will never have been given

effect. In the event the Court does not vacate the counter-supersedeas order, it

should set the bond at the value of the potential harm to the State if the State prevails

on appeal: $100,000,000, to be applied to any budget shortfall in the biennium.

VI.   THE COMMISSION ASKS THE COURT TO ACT QUICKLY TO AVOID THE
      POTENTIAL NECESSITY FOR EVEN LARGER CUTS THAT MIGHT, IN
      THE END, EXACERBATE THE RATE CUTS ABOUT WHICH PLAINTIFFS
      COMPLAIN.

      The Court should resolve this issue quickly to preserve public funds and

prevent frustration of the Legislature’s intent.

      This case is urgent because the cuts mandated by Rider 50(c) are supposed to

take effect in the current fiscal year. In addition to its obligation to hear this motion

“at the earliest practicable time,” TEX. R. APP. P. 24.4(d), the Court should take into

account the effects a stay will have on the Commission’s ability to comply with the

Rider. If the Commission were forced to comply with the total amount of reduction

required by the rider in less than a fiscal year, it could ultimately be forced to cut

rates even lower than the rates about which plaintiffs complain in order to make up

the requested amount of funding within the present biennium.

      The Commission has gone to great lengths to expedite this process and

implement Rider 50(c) as quickly as possible. To that end, it has waived the

automatic stay of proceedings that would otherwise have been triggered by its
                                           24
interlocutory appeal of its plea to the jurisdiction, and is moving towards the earliest

possible trial setting. CR.735-36. Its goal is to put the matter before the appellate

courts in time to obtain meaningful relief from the trial court’s unconstitutional

order. The Commission asks that the Court hear this motion as early as possible, as

required by rule, and give it relief from the improper counter-supersedeas order, so

that it can put Rider 50(c) into effect as soon as possible and avoid a judicially

mandated budget increase.

                                          * * *

      The counter-supersedeas order constitutes an impairment of the rate making

process that is completely inconsistent with the Secretary’s exclusive jurisdiction to

determine whether state Medicaid rates comport with public policy. Under both the

Texas and United States Constitutions, the entry of counter-supersedeas constitutes

fundamental error. The order is, in fact, even more intrusive than it might be,

because it makes it impossible to comply with a budget rider and could ultimately

result in greater rate decreases in order to comply with state law. Moreover, the

amount of the counter-supersedeas bond is wholly unrelated to the facial value of the

cuts contemplated by the rider and the expense to the State of proceeding under the

apparent limitations of the temporary injunction. Consistent with Rule 24.4, the




                                          25
Court should vacate the counter-supersedeas order and allow the Commission’s

automatic supersedeas to go into effect.

                                      PRAYER

      The Court should vacate the counter-supersedeas order or, in the alternative,

order the bond amount necessary to comply with Rule 24’s requirement that the

party who is denied supersedeas be made entirely whole for any harm caused by

changing the status quo—$100,000,000 to cover both the amount of general revenue

Rider 50(c) was intended to remove from the Medicaid program and the cost of

hiring 50 new employees to comply with the injunction’s requirements.




                                           26
Respectfully submitted.

KEN PAXTON
Attorney General of Texas

CHARLES E. ROY
First Assistant Attorney General

SCOTT A. KELLER
Solicitor General

 /s/ Kristofer Monson
KRISTOFER S. MONSON
Assistant Solicitor General
State Bar No. 24037129

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
P.O. Box 12548 (MC 059)
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Tel.: (512) 936-1700
Fax: (512) 474-2697
kristofer.monson@texasattorneygeneral.gov

COUNSEL FOR APPELLANTS




        27
                     CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE

      I certify that on October 26, 2015, and again on October 27, 2015 I contacted

opposing counsel by electronic mail. Counsel opposes this motion.



                        CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      On October 27, 2015 this document was served via File&Serve Xpress on:

      Ben Hathaway                    Kristofer S. Monson
      Dan Richards                    Office of the Attorney General
      Richards Rodriguez & Skeith     P.O. Box 12548 (MC 059)
      816 Congress Avenue             Austin, Texas 78701
      Suite 1200                      kristofer.monson@texasattorneygeneral.gov
      drichards@rrsfirm.com
      bhathaway@rrsfirm.com

      COUNSEL FOR APPELLEES           COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT

                                      /s/ Kristofer S. Monson




                                        28
APPENDIX
                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                     Tab

CR.587-97 Order Granting Temporary Injunction and Denying
     Supersedeas ..........................................................................................A

CR.338-39 Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Original Petition ............................ B

CR.351-73 Tex. Health & Human Servs. Comm’n Rate Analysis Dep’t:
     Notice of Proposed Adjustments ..........................................................C

CR.684-89 Affidavit of Pam McDonald ........................................................D

Armstrong v. Exception Child Ctr., Inc., 135 S. Ct. 1382 (2015) .................. E

Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007).................. F

2016-17 General Appropriations Act, 84th Leg., R.S., 2015 (Article II,
Health Human Services Comm’n), Rider 50(c) ............................................ G

Relevant Federal Statutes............................................................................... H
A
                                     DC          BK15274 PG1420




                                  CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-15-003263

DIANA D., as next of friend of KD, a child,      §                IN THE DISTRICT COURT
KAREN G., as next friend of TG and ZM,           §
children, GUADALUPE P., as next of friend        §
of LP, a child, SALLY L., as next of friend of   §
CH, DENA D., as next friend of BD, a child,      §                        Filed in The Distiict Court
                                                                           of Travis County, Texas
OCI ACQUISITION, LLC d/b/a                       §
CARE OPTIONS FOR KIDS,                           §
CONNECTCARE SOLUTIONS, LLC                       §                             SEP2~
d/b/a CONNECTCARE THERAPY FOR                    §                      At              'lfi!_f     M.
                                                                        Velva L. Price, District Clerk
KIDS, ATLAS PEDIATRIC THERAPY                    §
CONSULTANTS LLC, and PATHFINDER                  §
PEDIATRIC HOME CARE, INC.,                       §
                                                 §         200th JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF
        Plaintiffs,                              §
                                                 §
v.                                               §
                                                 §
CHRIS TRAYLOR, as EXECUTIVE                      §
COMMISSIONER of TEXAS                            §
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES                        §
COMMISSION, and TEXAS                            §
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES                        §
COMMISSION,                                      §
                                                 §
        Defendants.                              §        TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS


     ORDER GRANTING TEMPORARY INJUNCTION AND DENYING SUPERSEDEAS


        On the 21 51 and 22"d days of September, 2015 the Court held a hearing on Plaintiffs'

application for temporary injunction in the above entitled and numbered cause. The Court has

considered the testimony, documentary evidence, pleadings, briefs, and arguments of counsel

and GRANTS the Temporary Injunction based on the following:

General History:

1)      Plaintiffs include the parents as next friends of several minor children who suffer from

severe and disabling conditions, including seizure disorders, delayed development, autism,

speech developmental delays, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. These Plaintiffs and
                                                                                         II Page
                  1~~m~m~m~Mnrn~~~m~m~~~~
                      004236981                                                                          587
                                   DC            BK15274 PG1421




many other minor children suffering from similar conditions across the State of Texas can

exhibit a wide variety of disabling symptoms, including:

       a. nonverbal

       b. non-ambulatory

       c. difficulty with speech

       d. uncontrolled behavioral outbursts

       e. difficulty with motor control over their limbs

       f.   difficulty with mental processing of information.

2)     Because of these disabling conditions and symptoms, these children depend on home-

health providers for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas

Medicaid program to develop basic skills such as walking, talking, dressing themselves, feeding

themselves, understanding simple communications, and maintaining control over their own

behavior. The Plaintiffs include several home health service providers who deliver physical,

occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program to the children of

Texas who depend on such services.

3)     Texas Health and Human Services Commission ("HHSC") and Chris Traylor, as

Executive Commissioner of HHSC ("Commissioner Traylor") have developed proposed

decreases to the reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services that

will probably result in a decrease, or complete elimination, of available home health services for

Medicaid-dependent children across Texas.

Proposed Rate Changes:

4)     On or about July 20, 2015, HHSC and Commissioner Traylor held a hearing regarding

new proposed reimbursement rates to be implemented on September 1, 2015 for physical,



                                                                                        21Page


                                                                                                     588
                                   DC             BK15274 PG1422




occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program (the "July 20, 2015

Proposed Rates"). A copy of the July 20, 2015 Proposed Rates is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

5)     Following the commencement of this lawsuit, on or about August 20, 2015, HHSC and

Commissioner Traylor produced a different set of new proposed reimbursement rates to be

implemented on September 1, 2015 for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services

under the Texas Medicaid program (the "August 20, 2015 Proposed Rates"). A copy of the

August 20, 2015 Proposed Rates is attached hereto as Exhibit A-I.

6)     Prior to a temporary injunction hearing at which Plaintiffs sought to enjoin HHSC and

Commissioner Traylor from implementing either the July 20, 2015 Proposed Rates or the August

20, 2015 Proposed Rates, HHSC and Commissioner Traylor withdrew both sets of rates and

advised the Court that they would start over with a new rate proposal.

7)     Nine days later, on September 4, 2015, HHSC and Commissioner Traylor proposed new

rates to be implemented on October 1, 2015 for physical, occupational, and speech therapy

services under the Texas Medicaid program (the "September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates"). A copy

of the September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates is attached hereto as Exhibit A-2.

8)     Defendants have exhibited a pattern of behavior attempting to impose new rates, and

have withdrawn the rates or taken other steps, resulting in Plaintiffs' challenge to the rates

arguably becoming moot. This issue is appropriate for the Court to adjudicate, however, based

on the "capable of repetition yet evading review" exception to the mootness doctrine. Davis v.

Burnam, 137 S.W.3d 325, 333 (Tex. App.-Austin 2004, no pet.). Defendants' actions

withdrawing the proposed rates demonstrate that the action is too short in duration to be litigated

fully before the action ceases or expires. Id. Defendants' choice to withdraw the rates and

propose similar ones as soon as a hearing has passed creates a reasonable expectation that the



                                                                                         31Page


                                                                                                      589
                                    DC             BK15274 PG1423




same complaining parties will be subjected to the same action again should the Defendants

withdraw the currently pending rates and assert that this case is moot. Id.

9)     Pursuant to 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(A), reimbursement rates must be based on:

       a. an analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fees for similar
          services;

       b. Medicaid fees paid by other states;

       c. a survey of costs reported by Medicaid home health agencies;

       d. the Medicare Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA) fees;

       e. previous Medicaid payments for Medicaid-reimbursable therapy, nursing, and aide
          services; or

       f.   some combination thereof.

10)    Pursuant to 1 TAC §355.802l(a)(2)(B), periodic rate reviews conducted by HHSC must

include, but will not be limited to, consideration of the payments for, as well as all costs

associated with, providing these Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services.

11)    Any proposed reimbursement rates that modify or disregard the key components of the

methodology set forth in 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2) could constitute a rule change. Accord, El Paso

Hosp. Dist. v. Tex. HHS Comm 'n, 247 S.W.3d 709, 714-15 (Tex. 2008). To be valid, rates

resulting from a rule change must be adopted through proper rule-making procedures. Id. at 715.

12)    Those rule-making procedures include:

       a. Determining whether a rule may affect a local economy before proposing the rule for
          adoption. If so, preparing a local employment impact statement for the proposed rule.
          TEX. Gov'T CODE§ 2001.022(a).

       b. Providing at least 30 days' notice of the intention to adopt the new rule. TEX. Gov'T
          CODE § 2001.023(a). The notice must comply with section 2001.024 of the Texas
          Government Code. This includes, among other things, a note about the public benefits
          and costs associated with the new rule. TEX. Gov'T CODE § 2001.024(a)(5).

       c. Preparing, for rules that may have an adverse economic impact on small businesses,:

                                                                                       4JPage


                                                                                                  590
                                    DC           BK15274 PG1424




                   i.   an economic impact statement that estimates the number of small
                        businesses subject to the proposed rule, projects the economic impact of
                        the rule on small businesses, and describes alternative methods of
                        achieving the purpose of the proposed rule; and

                  u. a regulatory flexibility analysis that includes the agency's consideration of
                     alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed rule.

       TEX. Gov'T CooE § 2006.002( c).

The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates:

13)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates affect at least one local economy.

14)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates may have an adverse impact on small businesses.

15)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates were probably not determined in compliance with

1 TAC §355.802l(a)(2)(A).

16)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are the result of a periodic rate review under 1

TAC §355.802l(a)(2)(B) that was probably not in compliance with adequate or appropriate

consideration of payments for, as well as the costs associated with, providing these Medicaid-

reimbursable therapy services.

17)    Defendants probably did not adequately or appropriately consider the impact that the

September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates would have on access to care if implemented.

Failure to Comply with Rule 355.802l(a)(2):

18)    The Proposed Rates are probably not adequately or appropriately based on the formula

set forth in 1 TAC §355.802l(a)(2)(A); therefore, they may constitute a rule change, which must

be adopted through proper rule-making procedures.

19)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are also not based on any identifiable

documented criteria. The Truven Data is not data representing Medicaid fees paid by other states,

so even if the September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are based on Truven Data, the September 4,



                                                                                        5 JP a g   I.'




                                                                                                         591
                                   DC             BK15274 PG1425




2015 Proposed Rates are based on something other than the key components of the formula set

forth in 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(A).

20)    Should it be determined that any of the Proposed Rates comply with the methodology and

formula in 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(A), those Proposed Rates could still amount to a rule change

because they are probably the result of a periodic rate re:view that failed to adequately or

appropriately consider payments for, as well as all costs associated with, providing these

Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services. 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(B).

21)    The margins analysis conducted by Texas A&M University is seriously flawed and not

sufficient to meet the requirements of 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(B). Defendants appear to have

performed no other competent cost analysis. Defendants' own purported analysis fails to include

overhead, administrative, benefits, employer taxes, therapy materials, testing kits and other costs

of providing these Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services.

22)    In proposing to promulgate each set of Proposed Rates, Defendants did not follow proper

rule-making procedures. Defendants did not:

       a. determine whether the rule would affect a local economy or prepare a local
          employment impact statement;

       b. provide at least 30 days' proper notice of the intention to adopt the new rule. The
          notice provided did not comply with section 2001.024 of the Texas Government
          Code;

       c. prepare an economic impact statement or a regulatory flexibility analysis.

23)    The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are likely a rule that HHSC did not properly

promulgate. They may be invalid and may be enjoined. El Paso Hosp. Dist., 247 S.W.3d at 715.

Access to Care:

24)    In addition to the above violations of the rule-making process, Texas law requires that

HHSC provide Medicaid recipients with proper access to care. Pursuant to the provisions of 1

                                                                                          61Page


                                                                                                      592
                                     DC            BK15274 PG1426




TAC 353.41 l(a)(S), 1 TAC 353.413(a), and 1 TAC 353.413(d), Texas law requires: that service

providers ensure the reasonable availability and accessibility of speech, occupational, and

physical therapist specialists for all Medicaid service recipients; that service providers must

provide comprehensive and timely speech, occupational and physical therapy services for all

Medicaid service recipients; and that HHSC will not delegate its responsibility to deliver speech,

occupational, and physical therapy services to all eligible children.

25)    HHSC likely neither conducted nor received an adequate, appropriate, or reliable study or

analysis on the impact of any of the Proposed Rates on access to care as required by the above

regulations.

26)    The implementation of the Proposed Rates will likely result in service providers being

unable to deliver speech, occupational, and physical therapy services to all eligible children.

Because HHSC only provides services to eligible children through service providers, the

implementation of either of the proposed rates will probably render service providers unable to

comply with 1 TAC 353.41 l(a)(S), and/or 1 TAC 353.413(a), and will probably result in HHSC

failing to comply with its responsibility to deliver speech, occupational, and physical therapy

services to all eligible children.

27)     Any proposed change to reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech

therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program during the pendency of this lawsuit would

constitute a periodic rate review pursuant to 1 TAC §355.802l(a)(2)(B) and which will include a

review of payments for providing Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services and which will

include a review of costs associated with providing Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services.




                                                                                         71Page


                                                                                                     593
                                    DC            BK15274 PG1427




Additional Violations:

28)     In addition to the above violations of the rule-making process, each set of Proposed Rates

will likely violate Defendants' statutory duty to maximize the Medicaid finance system. TEX.

Gov'T CODE §531.02113.

29)     HHSC must optimize the Medicaid finance system to:

        a. maximize the state's receipt of federal funds;

        b. create incentives for providers to use preventive care;

        c. increase and retain providers in the system to maintain an adequate provider network;

        d. more accurately reflect the costs borne by providers; and

        e. encourage the improvement of the quality of care.

Id.

30)     If implemented, the Proposed Rates will likely not create incentives for providers to use

preventive care, dramatically decrease the number of providers in the system, fail to accurately

reflect the costs borne by the providers, and not encourage the improvement of the quality of

care.

31)     The September 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are probably based on arbitrary criteria that lack

adequate or appropriate consideration for the impact on service providers or recipients, and

probably lack adequate or appropriate consideration for the legal obligations of Commissioner

Traylor and HHSC with regard to the adoption of reimbursement rates. Therefore the September

4, 2015 Proposed Rates are likely in violation of the due course of law provision of the Texas

Constitution Art. I, § 19.

Need for Temporary Injunction:

32)     Plaintiffs have shown a probable right to recovery on their claim for all the above

reasons.
                                                                                         81Page


                                                                                                     594
                                      DC                BK15274 PG1428




33)    If a temporary injunction is not granted, Plaintiffs will probably suffer irreparable injury

because:

        a. the minor children represented in this lawsuit, plus thousands of other Texas children
           receiving pediatric services under the Texas Medicaid program, will probably be
           deprived of those critical services;

        b. Defendants' actions will probably cause multiple Texas Medicaid providers to go out
           of business and/or stop providing Medicaid services;

        c. Defendants' actions will probably create disincentives for Medicaid providers to use
           preventive care;

        d. Defendants' actions will probably decrease the quality of care provided to Medicaid
           recipients in Texas; and

        e. Defendants' actions will probably prevent Texas Medicaid beneficiaries from
           receiving critical services.

34)     The probable harm is imminent because the Septembt::r 4, 2015 Proposed Rates are set to

take effect on October 1, 2015, likely immediately cutting off care for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The adoption or implementation of any of the Proposed Rates may be ultra vires violations of

Texas law. Therefore the issuance of a temporary injunction causes less prejudice or harm to the

State of Texas, Commissioner Traylor, or HHSC, and the balance of the equities weighs in favor

of granting a temporary injunction.

Temporary Injunction:

        Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that a Temporary

Injunction is GRANTED to Plaintiffs, and that Commissioner Traylor and HHSC are

commanded forthwith to desist and refrain from taking any action to implement the

reimbursement rates described in Exhibit A-2 from the date of entry of this Order until final trial

in this lawsuit or until further order of this Court.

        IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that a Temporary Injunction

is GRANTED to Plaintiffs, and that Commissioner Traylor and HHSC are commanded forthwith
                                                                                         9 JP a gt'


                                                                                                      595
                                      DC             BK15274 PG1429




to desist and refrain from taking any action to propose or implement any change in

reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas

Medicaid program without conducting a review of payments for providing Medicaid-

reimbursable therapy services and conducting a review of costs associated with providing

Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services as required by 1 TAC §355.8021(a)(2)(B) from the date

of entry of this Order until final trial in this lawsuit or until fu1ther order of this Court.

        This Order does not affect HHSC's ability to seek CMS's approval of the State Plan

Amendment.

        It is further ORDERED that trial on the merits of this cause is set for January 18, 2016.

        The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs leave to deposit a check with the trial court clerk in lieu of

bond. Five hundred of the $1000.00 deposited by Plaintiffs into the Court's registry on

September 23, 2015 shall satisfy the bond requirement to make this Temporary Injunction

effective.

        It is the Court's understanding that the Defendants intend to file a Notice of Appeal and

may assert that pursuant to Civil Practice & Remedies Code §6.001 and Texas Rules of

Appellate Procedure 24.1 and 25.1, the filing of a Notice of Appeal constitutes automatic

supersedeas of this Court's Temporary Injunction. See, Jn re State Bd. for Educator

Certification, 452 S.W.3d 802, 804 (Tex. 2014). The Plaintiffs have requested that the Court

decline to permit the Temporary Injunction to be superseded. The Court finds and concludes that

permitting the Defendants to supersede the Temporary Injunction would render any relief in this

matter ineffective. In re State Bd. for Educator Certification, 452 S.W.3d 802, 808 (Tex. 2014).

Accordingly, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that pursuant to Texas Rule of

Appellate Procedure 24.2(a)(3), the Court DECLINES to permit the Temporary Injunction to be

superseded. Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 24.2(a)(3), the additional $500.00
                                                                                                 IO   IP age

                                                                                                               596
                                   DC            BK15274 PG1430




paid in the above-described deposited check in the amount of $1,000.00 shall serve as the

security for this Order declining to permit the Temporary Injunction to be superseded.

       The clerk of the above-entitled Court shall forthwith, on the filing by Plaintiffs of the

bond required, and on approving the same according to the law, issue a Temporary Injunction in

conformity with the law and the terms of this Order.
                                .f~
       SIGNED on this day ZS of September, 2015. °"..{-     <-f-1.1 S--   r·   M,




                                                                                         Ill Page


                                                                                                    597
B
                                                                        9/8/2015 2:49:47 PM
                                                                                           Velva L. Price
                                                                                          District Clerk
                                                                                          Travis County
                              CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-15-003263                               D-1-GN-15-003263
                                                                                          Shaun Glasson

DIANA D., as next of friend of KD, a child,      §           IN THE DISTRICT COURT
KAREN G., as next friend of TG and ZM,           §
children, GUADALUPE P., as next of friend        §
of LP, a child, SALLY L., as next of friend of   §
CH, DENA D., as next friend of BD, a child,      §
OCI ACQUISITION, LLC d/b/a                       §
CARE OPTIONS FOR KIDS,                           §
CONNECTCARE SOLUTIONS, LLC                       §
d/b/a CONNECTCARE THERAPY FOR                    §
KIDS, ATLAS PEDIATRIC THERAPY                    §
CONSULTANTS LLC, and PATHFINDER                  §
PEDIATRIC HOME CARE, INC.,                       §
                                                 §      200TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF
           Plaintiffs,                           §
                                                 §
v.                                               §
                                                 §
CHRIS TRAYLOR, as EXECUTIVE                      §
COMMISSIONER of TEXAS                            §
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES                        §
COMMISSION, and TEXAS                            §
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES                        §
COMMISSION,                                      §
                                                 §
           Defendants.                           §            TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS


               PLAINTIFFS' SECOND AMENDED ORIGINAL PETITION AND
                       APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF


TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:

       Although entrusted with the responsibility of operating the Texas Medicaid system in

accordance with applicable Texas and federal law, Defendants Chris Traylor, as Executive

Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Health and

Human Services Commission promulgated and then abruptly withdrew, in the face of a

temporary injunction hearing requested by Plaintiffs, two illegal sets of cuts to the

reimbursement rates for providers of physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to


1826.002
435836                                                                                " g ('   11
                                                                                                    336
Texas Medicaid beneficiaries. Nine days after withdrawing the first two sets of illegal rate cuts,

Defendants continued their inexplicable rush to implement destructive cuts to critical Medicaid

rates by publishing a third set of illegal cuts, to be effective October 1, 2015. As with the first

two sets of rates proposed by Defendants, this newest set of rates violates Article I, § 19 of the

Texas Constitution and numerous Texas statutes and regulations. If implemented, the newest cuts

will force Texas Medicaid providers to cease providing services critical to the health and

development of Texas' most vulnerable residents, its children. Plaintiffs Diana D., Karen G.,

Guadalupe P., Sally L., and Dena D. are the mothers and next friends of children receiving

speech, occupational, and therapy services from home health agencies under the Texas Medicaid

program. Plaintiffs OCI Acquisition, LLC d/b/a Care Options for Kids, ConnectCare Solutions,

LLC d/b/a ConnectCare Therapy for Kids, Atlas Pediatric Therapy Consultants LLC, and

Pathfinder Pediatric Home Care, Inc. are duly licensed home health agencies providing pediatric

speech, occupational, and physical therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program. Because

Defendants' actions are unlawful and will cause immediate and irreparable injury to the children

whose mothers are bringing this suit, to thousands of other Texas children receiving services

under the Texas Medicaid program, and to Texas Medicaid providers, Plaintiffs are requesting

that the Court grant a declaratory judgment that the proposed rates are void and injunctive relief

preventing the implementation of those rates.

                              I. DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN

       1.      Plaintiffs intend to conduct discovery under Level 3 of Texas Rule of Civil

Procedure 190 .4 and will seek a Court Order in accordance with the requirements of such Rule.




                                                2
                                                                                                      337
                                         II. PARTIES

       2.      Plaintiff Diana D. is the mother and next friend of KD, who is nine years old.

Both are residents of Travis County, Texas.

       3.      Plaintiff Karen G. is the mother and next friend of TG, who is fifteen years old,

and ZM, who is thirteen years old. All are residents of Williamson County, Texas.

       4.      Plaintiff Guadalupe P. is the mother and next friend of LP, who is two years old.

Both are residents of Travis County, Texas.

       5.      Plaintiff Sally L. is the mother and next friend of CH, who is four years old. Both

are residents of Travis County, Texas.

       6.      Plaintiff Dena D. is the mother and next friend of BD, who is eight years old.

Both are residents of Hays County, Texas.

       7.      Plaintiffs OCI Acquisition, LLC d/b/a Care Options for Kids and ConnectCare

Solutions LLC d/b/a ConnectCare Therapy for Kids (collectively "Care Options for Kids" or

"COFK"), are affiliated entities and duly licensed Texas pediatric home health agencies that

provide speech, occupational, and physical therapy services to children across the State of Texas,

including in Travis County, Texas. COFK's headquarters and principal place of business is in

Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

       8.      Plaintiff Atlas Pediatric Therapy Consultants LLC ("Atlas") is a duly licensed

Texas pediatric home health agency that provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy

services to children in North Texas. Its headquarters and principal place of business is in

Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas.

       9.      Plaintiff Pathfinder Pediatric Home Care, Inc. ("Pathfinder") is a duly licensed,

family-owned Texas pediatric home health agency that provides speech, occupational, and




                                                3
                                                                                                     338
physical therapy services to children in 115 Texas counties, primarily in East Texas. Pathfinder's

headquarters and principal place of business in The Woodlands, Montgomery County, Texas.

       10.     Care Options for Kids, Atlas, and Pathfinder are referred to collectively as

"Provider Plaintiffs".

       11.     Defendant Chris Traylor, as Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and

Human Services Commission ("Commissioner Traylor") has appeared and answered.

       12.     Defendant Texas Health and Human Services Commission ("HHSC") 1s an

agency of the State of Texas, and has appeared and answered.

                             III. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

       13.     Jurisdiction and venue are appropriate in this Court under TEX. Crv. PRAC. &

REM. CODE §37.002(b) and TEX. Gov'T CODE §2001.038(b).

                               IV. FACTUALBACKGROUND

       14.     Medicaid is a health insurance program, jointly operated and funded by the

federal and state governments, for the medical care of low-income and other eligible persons.

While federal law establishes Medicaid's basic parameters, each state, including Texas, decides

the types and ranges of services, payment levels for services, and administrative services it will

provide. Specifically, each state, including Texas, prepares a written plan ("State Plan")

describing the nature and scope of its Medicaid program. Once the State Plan is approved by the

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, the state is responsible for operating the program

to conform to that plan.

        15.    Although recently described by the governor of Texas as "riddled with

operational, managerial, structural and procedural problems," HHSC is the agency responsible

for the Texas Medicaid program. HHSC arranges for the delivery of most Medicaid services




                                                4
                                                                                                     339
through contracts with managed care organizations ("MCOs") licensed by the Texas Department

of Insurance. MCOs contract directly with doctors and other health care providers to create

provider networks for Medicaid beneficiaries. HHSC pays each MCO a monthly amount to

coordinate and deliver health services for the Medicaid members enrolled in the MCO's health

plan. The MCOs are required to provide to their members all medically necessary services

mandated by the Texas State Plan, including pediatric occupational, speech, and physical therapy

services ("Pediatric Services").

       16.     Diana D. is the mother and next friend of a child currently receiving Pediatric

Services from Care Options for Kids. KD, her nine year old daughter, suffers from Rett

syndrome, delayed development, and a seizure disorder. KD is nonverbal, non-ambulatory,

suffers from swallowing seizures, and has difficulty using her hands and feet. Due to her

condition, KD is unable to receive therapy outside her home. Because Diana D. is unable to

afford the rates of a commercial provider, the Texas Medicaid program is the only source of the

Pediatric Services her daughter requires.

       17.     Karen G. is the mother and next friend of two children currently rece1vmg

Pediatric Services from Care Options for Kids. TG, her fifteen year old son, was born with a

brain injury and suffers from autism and speech developmental delay. ZM, her thirteen year old

son, suffers from multiple issues, including seizure disorder, mesial temporal sclerosis disorder,

and autism. Due to their conditions, TG and ZM are unable to receive therapy outside their

home. Because Karen G. is unable to afford the rates of a commercial provider, the Texas

Medicaid program is the only source of the Pediatric Services her sons require.

       18.     Guadalupe P. is the mother and next friend of a child currently receiving Pediatric

Services from Care Options for Kids. LP, her two year old daughter, is diagnosed with Williams




                                                5
                                                                                                     340
syndrome and subglottic stenosis, and as a result, has developmental delays, aortic stenosis, and

a heart murmur. Due to these conditions, LP is unable to receive therapy outside her home.

Because Guadalupe P. is unable to afford the rates of a commercial provider, the Texas Medicaid

program is the only source of the Pediatric Services her daughter requires.

       19.     Sally L. is the mother and next friend of a child currently receiving Pediatric

Services from Care Options for Kids. CH, her four year old son, is diagnosed with moderate

autism and, as a result, has challenges with speech, applied behavior, outbursts, transitions, and

following directions. Due to these conditions, CH is unable to receive therapy outside his home.

Because Sally L. is unable to afford the rates of a commercial provider, the Texas Medicaid

program is the only source of the Pediatric Services her son requires.

       20.     Dena D. is the mother and next friend of a child currently receiving Pediatric

Services. BD, her eight year old daughter, is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and post-traumatic

epilepsy. Due to these conditions, BD is unable to receive therapy outside her home. Because

Dena D. is unable to afford the rates of a commercial provider, the Texas Medicaid program is

the only source of the Pediatric Services her daughter requires.

       21.     Care Options for Kids is a duly-licensed Texas pediatric home health agency that

provides Pediatric Services to Texas children from birth through twenty-one years of age in the

children's homes. It is the largest pediatric home health organization in the state of Texas; of all

children who receive therapy services in a home environment, approximately nine percent of

them receive their services from Care Options for Kids. COFK has over 400 employees, and all

of its revenues are generated from services provided to children under the Medicaid program.




                                                 6
                                                                                                       341
       22.     Atlas and Pathfinder are also duly-licensed Texas pediatric home health agencies

providing Pediatric Services to Texas children. Pathfinder is a family-owned business. Atlas is a

small business under the definition in Tex. Govt. Code 2006.001.

       23.     Provider Plaintiffs deliver a wide range of critical services to the children served

by the Texas Medicaid program, including required Pediatric Services. The Provider Plaintiffs'

pediatric physical therapists assist children with mild to severe defects in gross motor skills,

specializing in the treatment and management of a variety of congenital, developmental,

neuromuscular, skeletal, and acquired disorders and diseases. The therapists' goals are to

promote overall wellness and independence for the children and their families. The Provider

Plaintiffs' speech language pathologists focus on helping their patients with language

development, articulation skills, and oral/motor feeding challenges, working to remediate

communication disorders that interfere with or impede the child's effective communication. The

goals of those professionals are to increase the child's communication skills to an age-

appropriate or functional ability level. The Provider Plaintiffs' pediatric occupational therapists

are trained to assist children with their individual physical and development issues, and work

with the children to teach them how to perform daily activities, interact socially, and become

functional and independent adults.

       24.     Defendants have promulgated new proposed reimbursement rates to be

implemented October 1, 2015 for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, including

Pediatric Services, under the Texas Medicaid program ("the Rates"). A copy of the Rates is

attached as Exhibit A. The Rates, which are the third set of rates that Defendants have

promulgated in less than sixty days, will impose severe cuts to the current Medicaid

reimbursement rates for speech, occupational, and physical therapy services. If the Rates are




                                                7
                                                                                                      342
allowed to take effect, numerous Medicaid providers, including the Provider Plaintiffs, will be

unable to continue providing Medicaid services. Many providers will be forced to cease

operations entirely. The forced closure of multiple Medicaid providers, particularly those

providing services to children, will make it impossible for Texas to comply with state-mandated

access standards. Such closures will deny needed services to children, including KD, TG, ZM,

LP, CH, and BD, who are now served by the Texas Medicaid program. Accordingly, the Rates, if

implemented, will cause imminent and irreparable harm to the children of Texas, the most

vulnerable of Medicaid beneficiaries.

       25.     Defendants have promulgated the Rates without complying with, and in direct

violation of, multiple Texas statutes and regulations. First, Defendants have promulgated the

Rates in violation of 1 TAC §§355.8021, 355.8441, and 355.8085. Second, Defendants have

promulgated the Rates without conducting the economic impact analysis or regulatory flexibility

analysis required by TEX. Gov'T CODE §2006.002. Third, Defendants have not prepared the local

employment impact statement required by TEX. Gov'T CODE §2001.022(a). Fourth, Defendants

have not published the notice required by 1 TAC §355.201(e) and (f). In addition, Defendants

have not complied with TEX. Gov'T CODE §2001.023(a), which requires that a state agency

promulgating a new rule must provide information about the costs and benefits of the new rule,

as well as all other statements required by law.

       26.     Defendants' actions also violate their statutory duty to maximize the Medicaid

finance system. TEX. Gov'T CODE §531.02113 requires Defendants to maximize the Medicaid

finance system by, among other things: a) creating incentives for providers to use preventive

care; b) increasing and retaining providers to maintain an adequate provider network; c)

encouraging the improvement of the quality of care; and d) insuring that the system accurately




                                                   8
                                                                                                  343
reflects the costs borne by the providers. If implemented, the Rates will have exactly the opposite

impact on the Texas Medicaid system because they will create disincentives for preventive care,

dramatically decrease the number of providers, impair the quality of care, and fail to accurately

reflect the costs borne by the providers. If allowed to go into effect, the promulgated Rates, or

other Pediatric Services rates implemented in violation of applicable law, will cause immediate

and irreparable damage to each of the Plaintiffs, other children receiving Pediatric Services under

the Texas Medicaid program, and other Texas Medicaid providers.

       27.     Defendants' actions additionally deny KD, TG, ZM, LP, CH, BD, and other

Texas Medicaid beneficiaries the access to providers and services required by applicable Texas

statutes and regulations.    HHSC's regulations require that each MCO must "ensure the

reasonable availability of specialists for all covered services requiring specialty care." 1 TAC

§353.411(a)(5). Furthermore, each contract between an MCO and the state must provide for a

"sufficient number of. .. specialty pediatric providers of home and community-based services"

and provide that "health care services will be accessible to recipients through the [MCO's]

provider network to a comparable extent that health care services would be available to

recipients under a fee-for-service or primary care case management model of Medicaid managed

care." TEX. Gov'T CODE §533.005(a)(21). The Rates will eliminate the sole provider of

Medicaid Pediatric Services available to KD, TG, ZM, LP, CH, and BD, as well as numerous

other Medicaid providers, thus denying those children and thousands of other children access to

critical Medicaid services mandated by state law. Accordingly, the proposed Rates will prevent

the access to services and providers required by Texas law.

       28.     Finally, Defendants' efforts to implement the Rates violate the due course of law

provision of the Texas Constitution Art. I, §19. If implemented, the Rates will deprive KD, TG,




                                                9
                                                                                                      344
ZM, LP, CH, and BD of mandated and necessary services and destroy the economic viability of

the Provider Plaintiffs. The Rates are arbitrary, capricious, and not based on fact. The Rates

cannot arguably be rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest. When considered as a

whole, the actual, real-world effect of the Rates as applied to Plaintiffs cannot arguably be

rationally related to a government interest. Finally, the Rates are so burdensome as to be

oppressive in light of any governmental interest. The Rates therefore deny Plaintiffs, citizens of

Texas, the right not to be deprived "of life, liberty, property, privileges or immunities ... except by

the due course of the law of the land." Tex. Const. art. I, § 19.

                            V. CLAIMS AGAINST DEFENDANTS

A.     Declaratory Relief

       29.     Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate herein by reference paragraphs 1-28 above.

       30.     Plaintiffs' legal rights, status, and legal relations are affected by the Rates and

Defendants' actions in promulgating the Rates. Pursuant to Chapter 37 of the Texas Civil

Practice & Remedies Code, Plaintiffs seek a judgment declaring that the Rates are invalid, void,

and of no force or effect because (1) Defendants have promulgated the Rates in violation of

applicable Texas law, (2) Commissioner Traylor's actions in promulgating the rates are ultra

vires, and (3) the Rates violate the due course oflaw provision of the Texas Constitution.

       31.     In addition, the Rates and their threatened application interfere with or impair, or

threaten to interfere with or impair, Plaintiffs' legal rights or privileges. Plaintiffs therefore seek

a declaratory judgment pursuant to TEX. Gov'T CODE §2001.038 declaring that the Rates are

invalid, void, and of no force or effect because (1) Defendants have promulgated the Rates in

violation of applicable Texas law, (2) Commissioner Traylor's actions in promulgating the Rates




                                                  10
                                                                                                          345
are ultra vires, and (3) the Rates violate the due course of law prov1s10n of the Texas

Constitution.

       32.      Plaintiffs request that the Court award them their reasonable and necessary

attorneys' fees and costs incurred herein as allowed by TEX. Crv. PRAC. & REM. CODE §37.009

and other applicable law.

B.     Request for Temporary and Permanent Injunctive Relief

       33.      Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate herein by reference paragraphs 1-32 above.

       34.      As set forth above, the actions of Commissioner Traylor are ultra vires in that his

actions taken in promulgating the Rates are outside his statutory and legal authority, and HHSC's

actions are in violation of applicable Texas law. Because Defendants have acted and are acting

without legal authority, this Court can and must enjoin Commissioner Traylor and HHSC from

taking any further actions to implement the Rates. Plaintiffs believe, moreover, that Defendants,

if they are prevented from implementing the Rates, intend to implement new reimbursement

rates for Pediatric Services and other physical, occupational, and speech therapy services under

the Texas Medicaid program without complying with the requirements of applicable statutes and

regulations, including without limitation, TEX. Gov'T CODE §§ 531.02113, 533.005(a)(21),

2001.022(a), 2001.023(a), and 2006.002, and 1 TAC§§ 353.41 l(a)(5), 355.201(e), (f), 355.8021,

355.8085, and 355.8441.

       35.      Plaintiffs will suffer imminent, irreparable harm without court intervention and

have no adequate remedy at law if Defendants are not immediately enjoined from (1) taking any

action to implement the Rates and (2) taking any action to implement any other new

reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, or speech therapy services under the Texas

Medicaid program without complying with the requirements of applicable Texas statutes and




                                                 11
                                                                                                      346
regulations, including without limitation TEX. Gov'T CODE §§ 531.02113, 533.005(a)(21),

2001.022(a), 2001.023(a), and 2006.002, and 1 TAC§§ 353.411(a)(5), 355.201(e), (f), 355.8021,

355.8085, and 355.8441.

       36.     If not so enjoined, Commissioner Traylor will continue to take actions outside his

legal authority, and HHSC will continue to take actions in violation of applicable Texas law. If

Defendants are not enjoined as requested, KD, TG, ZM, LP, CH, BD, and thousands of other

Texas children receiving Pediatric Services under the Texas Medicaid program will be deprived

of those critical services. Defendants' actions will cause multiple Texas Medicaid providers to

go out of business and/or stop providing Medicaid services. Those actions will, in addition,

create disincentives for Medicaid providers to use preventive care, decrease the quality of care

provided to Medicaid recipients in Texas, and prevent Texas Medicaid beneficiaries from

receiving critical services. If allowed to go into effect, the Rates, or other reimbursement rates

for physical, occupational, or speech therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program

implemented without complying with Texas law, will cause immediate and irreparable damage

to each of the Plaintiffs, other children receiving Pediatric Services under the Texas Medicaid

program, and other Texas Medicaid providers.

       37.     Plaintiffs are willing to post the necessary reasonable bond to facilitate the

injunctive relief requested. Plaintiffs believe that a bond in a nominal amount would be

appropriate.

       38.     The only adequate, effective and complete relief for Plaintiffs is for the Court to

grant injunctive relief immediately restraining and prohibiting Commissioner Traylor and HHSC

and their agents, servants, employees, independent contractors, attorneys, representatives, and

those persons or entities in active concert or participation with them from (1) taking any action to




                                                 12
                                                                                                       347
implement the Rates and (2) taking any action to implement any other reimbursement rates for

physical, occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program without

complying with the requirements of applicable statutes and regulations, including without

limitation TEX. Gov'T CODE §§ 531.02113, 533.005(a)(21), 2001.022(a), 2001.023(a), and

2006.002, and 1 TAC §§ 353.411(a)(5), 355.201(e), (f), 355.8021, 355.8085, and 355.8441 (the

"Injunctive Relief).

         39.      Pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 680 et. seq., and Texas Civil Practice

and Remedies Code §65.001 et. seq., and in order to preserve the status quo during the pendency

of this action, Plaintiffs request (1) a temporary restraining order granting the requested

Injunctive Relief, (2) alternatively, a temporary injunction hearing and an order requiring

Defendants to appear at such hearing and show cause why a temporary injunction should not be

issued, (3) upon hearing, a temporary injunction granting the requested Injunctive Relief, and (4)

upon final hearing, a permanent injunction granting the requested Injunctive Relief.

         40.      Plaintiffs are willing to post the necessary reasonable bond to facilitate the

injunctive relief requested. Plaintiffs believe that a bond in a nominal amount would be

appropriate.

         41.      Plaintiffs incorporate herein by reference the affidavits of Diana D., Karen G.,

Guadalupe P., and Sally L. attached as Exhibits B through E, respectively to Plaintiffs' Original

Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief previously filed herein, 1 and the affidavits of

Michael Reiswig on behalf of Care Options for Kids, Joshua Adams on behalf of Atlas, and J.




1
  To protect the privacy of the children named as Plaintiffs, the original affidavits of their next friends attached to
such petition and filed in the records of the Court were redacted to eliminate identifying information, such as the
next friends' last names and addresses. Non-redacted copies of such affidavits are available and will be provided to
the Court and Defendants if deemed appropriate by the Court.


                                                          13
                                                                                                                          348
Adam Wilcox on behalf of Pathfinder, attached as Exhibits A-1 through A-3, respectively, to this

Petition.

                               VI. CONCLUSION & PRAYER

        WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiffs respectfully request that they be

granted:

        (a)   the declaratory relief as set forth above;

        (b)   the injunctive relief as set forth above;

        (c)   their reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees and expenses; and

        (d)   all other relief to which they may be justly entitled.

                                                      Respectfully submitted,




                                               By:




                                                      ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFFS




                                                 14
                                                                                                   349
                               CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that the foregoing document has been delivered to the following counsel
ofrecords on this, the 81h day of September 2015 by fax and e-mail:

Eugene A. Clayborn
Andrew Lutostanski
Assistant Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General of Texas
P.O. Box 12548, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Facsimile: (512) 457-4614




                                              15
                                                                                                  350
C
                                     Exhibit A
 to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief




  TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
           RATE ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT


 Notice of Proposed Adjustments to Fees, Rates or Charges
for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy provided by
           Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation
  Facilities/Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities {CORF/ORF),
 Home Health Agencies {HHA), and Independent Therapists




            Adjustments are proposed to be effective
                       October 1, 2015




                                                       Public Rate Hearing September 18, 2015 Page 1



                                                                                                       351
                                      Exhibit A
  to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



                     SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS

                            To Be Effective October 1, 2015


Included in this document is information relating to the proposed adjustments to
Medicaid payment rates for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy provided by
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities/Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
(CORF/ORF), Home Health Agencies (HHA), and Independent Therapists. The rates
are proposed to be effective October 1, 2015.

Hearing

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to
receive comments regarding the proposed adjustments to Medicaid rates detailed in this
document on September 18, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in the Public Hearing Room of the John
H. Winters Building at 701 West 51 st Street, Austin, Texas. Entry is through security at
the main entrance of the building facing West 51 st Street. HHSC will consider concerns
expressed at the hearing prior to final rate approval. This public hearing is held in
compliance with the provisions of Human Resources Code §32.0282 and the Texas
Administrative Code, Title 1 (1 TAC), §355.201, which require a public hearing on
proposed payment rate adjustments. Should you have any questions regarding the
information in this document, please contact:

                  Megan Wolfe, Rate Analysis for Acute Care Services
                   Texas Health and Human Services Commission
                        (512) 730-7456; FAX: (512) 730-7475
                       E-mail: megan .wolfe@hhsc.state.tx.us


Background

HHSC is responsible for the reimbursement determination functions for the Texas
Medicaid Program. The proposed rate adjustments presented in this document are
based on direction provided by the 2016-2017 General Appropriations Act, 34th
Legislature, Regular Session, Article II, Rider 50, at pages 11-96 through 11-98 (Health
and Human Services Section, Health and Human Services Commission).

Methodology

The specific administrative rules that govern the establishment of the fees in this
proposal include these rules in 1 TAC:

   •   §355.201 (d)(1 )(A) and (D), which authorize HHSC to adjust rates for medical
       assistance if state law is enacted requiring a rate reduction or restricting the
       availability of appropriated funds.

                                                         Public Rate Hearing September 18, 2015 Page 2



                                                                                                         352
                                      Exhibit A
  to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief




   •   §355.8021, which addresses the reimbursement methodology for home health
       services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies;

   •   §355.8085, which addresses the reimbursement methodology for physicians and
       other practitioners;

   •   §355.8441, which addresses the reimbursement methodology for Early and
       Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services (known in
       Texas as Texas Health Steps).

Proposed Rate Adjustments

As indicated above, the proposed rate adjustments are based on direction provided by
the 2016-2017 General Appropriations Act, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, Article II,
Rider 50, at pages 11-96 through 11-98.

Proposed rate adjustments were calculated based on an analysis of Medicaid fees paid
by other states and previous Texas Medicaid payments for Medicaid-reimbursable
therapy services. Where current Texas Medicaid rates exceed 150 percent of the
median of other states' rates for the same service, a percentage reduction is applied.
An alternative percentage reduction is applied to Texas Medicaid rates that do not
exceed 150 percent of the median of other states' rates for the same service and in
cases where information on other states' rates is not available.

Specific proposed payment rate adjustments are listed in the attachments outlined
below:

Att 1 - CORFORF Therapies
Att 2 - HHA Therapies
Att 3 - Independent Therapists

Written Comments

Written comments regarding the proposed payment rate adjustments may be submitted
in lieu of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5 p.m. the day of the hearing. Written
comments may be sent by U.S. mail to the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400, P.O. Box 149030, Austin,
Texas 78714-9030; by fax to Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7475; or by e-mail to
RADAcuteCare@hhsc.state.tx.us. In addition, written comments may be sent by
overnight mail or hand delivered to Texas Health and Human Services Commission,
Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400, Brown-Heatly Building, 4900 North Lamar,
Austin, Texas 78751.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or
services should contact Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7401 at least 72 hours in advance,
                                                         Public Rate Hearing September 18, 2015 Page 3




                                                                                                         353
                                      Exhibit A
  to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief




so appropriate arrangements can be made.




                                                        Public Rate Hearing September 18, 2015 Page 4




                                                                                                        354
                                                Exhibit A
            to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief


ATTACHMENT 1- COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY/OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION
FACILITY (CORF/ORF) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                 CURRENT                    PROPOSED
                                                                        current                    l'roposea
                                                 Age      Current      Adjusted       Proposed     Adjusted
TOS* Procedure Code     Long Description   **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee   Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1        92507                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $28.67       $28.67
 1        92507                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $28.67       $28.67
 1        92508                 **                0-20      $19.90       $19.90         $14.93       $14.93
 1        92508                 **              21-999      $19.90       $19.90         $14.93       $14.93
 1        92521                 **                0-20     $140.62       $140.62       $105.47       $105.47
 1        92521                 **              21-999     $140.62       $140.62       $105.47       $105.47
 1        92522                 **                0-20     $175.77       $175.77       $131.83       $131.83
 1        92522                 **              21-999     $175.77       $175.77       $131.83       $131.83
 1        92523                 **                0-20     $234.36       $234.36       $175.77       $175.77
 1        92523                 **              21-999     $234.36       $234.36       $175.77       $175.77
 1        92524                 **                0-20     $117.18       $117.18        $87.89       $87.89
 1        92524                 **              21-999     $117.18       $117.18        $87.89       $87.89
 1        92526                 **               0-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        92610                 **               0-999     $234.36       $234.36       $226.27       $226.27
 1        97001                 **                0-20     $167.40       $167.40       $125.55       $125.55
 1        97001                 **              21-999     $167.40       $167.40       $125.55       $125.55
 1        97002                 **                0-20     $150.66       $150.66       $113.00       $113.00
 1        97002                 **              21-999     $150.66       $150.66       $113.00       $113.00
 1        97003                 **                0-20     $167.40       $167.40       $125.55       $125.55
 1        97003                 **              21-999     $167.40       $167.40       $125.55       $125.55
 1        97004                 **                0-20     $150.66       $150.66       $113.00       $113.00
 1        97004                 **              21-999     $150.66       $150.66       $113.00       $113.00
 1        97012                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97012                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97014                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97014                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97016                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97016                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97018                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97018                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97022                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97022                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97024                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97024                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97026                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97026                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $29.84       $29.84
 1        97028                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97028                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97032                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97032                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97033                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97033                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97034                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97034                 **              21-999      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41
 1        97035                 **                0-20      $39.78       $39.78         $38.41       $38.41



                                                                                                          355
                                                    Exhibit A
                to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief


ATTACHMENT 1- COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY/OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION
FACILITY (CORF/ORF) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                             CURRENT                          PROPOSED
                                                                                    current                          l'roposea
                                                             Age      Current      Adjusted             Proposed     Adjusted
TOS* Procedure Code             Long Description   **       Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee         Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
  1          97035                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97036                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97036                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97039                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $29.84           $29.84
  1          97039                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $29.84           $29.84
  1          97110                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97110                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97112                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97112                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97113                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97113                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97116                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $30.08           $30.08
  1          97116                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $30.08           $30.08
  1          97124                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $29.84           $29.84
  1          97124                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $29.84           $29.84
  1          97139                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $39.00           $39.00
  1          97139                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $39.00           $39.00
  1          97140                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $30.84           $30.84
  1          97140                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $30.84           $30.84
  1          97150                        **                 0-20        $19.90           $19.90           $19.21           $19.21
  1          97150                        **                21-999       $19.90           $19.90           $19.21           $19.21
  1          97530                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97530                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97535                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97537                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97542                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97750                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97750                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97760                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.87           $38.87
  1          97761                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97762                        **                 0-20        $40.36           $40.36           $35.09           $35.09
  1          97799                        **                 0-20        $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
  1          97799                        **                21-999       $39.78           $39.78           $38.41           $38.41
                              Physical or manipulative
                               therapy performed for
                              maintenance rather than
  1          S8990                   restoration            0-999        $52.33          $52.33            $39.00          $39.00
  1          S9152          Speech therapy, re-evaluation   0-999       $210.92          $210.92          $203.64          $203.64


*Type of Service (TOS)
  1 Medical Services



**Required Notice: The five-character code included in this notice is obtained from the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®),


                                                                                                                                 356
                                                    Exhibit A
                to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief


ATTACHMENT 1- COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY/OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION
FACILITY (CORF/ORF) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                                 CURRENT                           PROPOSED
                                                                                        current                           l'roposea
                                                                Age        Current     Adjusted              Proposed     Adjusted
TOS* Procedure Code              Long Description **           Range     Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee          Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
copyright 2015 by the American Medical Association (AMA). CPT is developed by the AMA as a listing of descriptive terms and five
character identifying codes and modifiers for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians. The responsibility for
the content of this notice is with HHSC and no endorsement by the AMA is intended or should be implied. The AMA disclaims
responsibility for any consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse or interpretation of information contained in this
notice. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part ofCPT,
and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The
AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained.




                                                                                                                                        357
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    92507                               **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $100.34       $100.34
 1    92507                               **            21-999     $115.46      $115.46      $100.34       $100.34
 1    92508                               **             0-20      $67.57        $67.57       $50.68       $50.68
 1    92508                               **            21-999     $67.57        $67.57       $50.68       $50.68
 1    92521                               **             0-20      $120.00      $120.00       $90.00       $90.00
 1    92521                               **            21-999     $70.33        $70.33       $67.90       $67.90
 1    92522                               **             0-20      $150.00      $150.00      $112.50       $112.50
 1    92522                               **            21-999     $87.92        $87.92       $84.89       $84.89
 1    92523                               **             0-20      $200.00      $200.00      $150.00       $150.00
 1    92523                               **            21-999     $117.22      $117.22      $113.18       $113.18
 1    92524                               **             0-20      $100.00      $100.00       $75.00       $75.00
 1    92524                               **            21-999     $58.61        $58.61       $56.59       $56.59
 1    92526                               **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    92526                               **            21-999     $115.46      $115.46      $111.48       $111.48
 1    92610                               **             0-20      $200.00      $200.00      $193.10       $193.10
 1    92610                               **            21-999     $117.22      $117.22      $113.18       $113.18
 1    97001                               **             0-20      $137.20      $137.20      $102.90       $102.90
 1    97001                               **            21-999     $114.03      $114.03       $85.52       $85.52
 1    97001      AT                       **             0-20      $114.03      $114.03       $85.52       $85.52
 1    97001      AT                       **            21-999     $114.03      $114.03       $85.52       $85.52
 c    97001                               **             0-20      $114.03      $114.03       $85.52       $85.52
 c    97001                               **            21-999     $114.03      $114.03       $85.52       $85.52
 1    97002                               **             0-20      $123.48      $123.48       $92.61       $92.61
 1    97002                               **            21-999     $102.63      $102.63       $76.97       $76.97
 1    97002      AT                       **             0-20      $102.63      $102.63       $76.97       $76.97
 1    97002      AT                       **            21-999     $102.63      $102.63       $76.97       $76.97
 c    97002                               **             0-20      $102.63      $102.63       $76.97       $76.97
 c    97002                               **            21-999     $102.63      $102.63       $76.97       $76.97
 1    97003                               **             0-20      $137.20      $137.20      $102.90       $102.90
 1    97003                               **            21-999     $116.25      $116.25       $89.21       $89.21
 1    97003      AT                       **             0-20      $116.25      $116.25       $89.21       $89.21
 1    97003      AT                       **            21-999     $116.25      $116.25       $89.21       $89.21
 c    97003                               **             0-20      $116.25      $116.25       $89.21       $89.21
 c    97003                               **            21-999     $116.25      $116.25       $89.21       $89.21
 1    97004                               **             0-20      $123.48      $123.48       $92.61       $92.61
 1    97004                               **            21-999     $104.63      $104.63       $78.47       $78.47
 1    97004      AT                       **             0-20      $104.63      $104.63       $78.47       $78.47
 1    97004      AT                       **            21-999     $104.63      $104.63       $78.47       $78.47
 c    97004                               **             0-20      $104.63      $104.63       $78.47       $78.47
 c    97004                               **            21-999     $104.63      $104.63       $78.47       $78.47
 1    97012                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97012      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97012      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97012      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97012      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97012      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44



                                                                                                              358
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97012      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97012      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97012      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97012      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97012      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97012                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97012                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97012      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97012      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97012      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97012      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97014                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97014      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97014      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97014      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97014      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97014      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97014      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97014      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97014      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97014      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97014      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97014                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97014                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97014      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97014      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97014      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97014      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97016                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97016      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97016      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97016      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97016      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97016      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97016      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97016      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97016      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97016      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97016      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97016                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97016                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97016      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97016      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97016      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97016      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97018                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $91.08       $91.08



                                                                                                              359
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97018      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97018      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97018      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97018      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $91.08       $91.08
 c    97018      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $91.08       $91.08
 1    97022                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97022      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97022      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97022      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97022      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97022      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97022      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97022      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97022      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97022      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97022      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97022                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97022                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97022      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97022      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97022      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97022      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97024                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97024      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97024      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97024      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97024      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97024      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97024      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97024      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97024      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97024      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97024      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97024                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97024                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79



                                                                                                              360
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 c    97024      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97024      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97024      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97024      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97026                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97026      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97026      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97026      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97026      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97026      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97026      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97026      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97026      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97026      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97026      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97026                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97026                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97026      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97026      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97026      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97026      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97028                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97028      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97028      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97028      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97028      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97028      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97028      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97028      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97028      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97028      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97028      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97028                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97028                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97028      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97028      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97028      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97028      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97032                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97032      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97032      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97032      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97032      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97032      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97032      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97032      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48



                                                                                                              361
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97032      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97032      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97032      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97032                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97032                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97032      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97032      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97032      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97032      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97033                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97033      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97033      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97033      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97033      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97033      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97033      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97033      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97033      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97033      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97033      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97033                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97033                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97033      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97033      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97033      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97033      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97034      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97034      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97034      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97034      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97035                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97035      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97035      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97035      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97035      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97035      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97035      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97035      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97035      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97035      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97035      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97035                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97035                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97035      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97035      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97035      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44



                                                                                                              362
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 c    97035      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97036      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97036      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97036      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97036      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97039                               **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $90.00       $90.00
 1    97039      AT                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $90.00       $90.00
 1    97039      AT                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $90.00       $90.00
 1    97039      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97039      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 c    97039                               **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $90.00       $90.00
 c    97039                               **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $90.00       $90.00
 1    97110                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97110      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97110      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97110      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97110      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97110      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97110      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97110      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97110      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97110      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97110      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97110                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97110                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97110      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97110      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97110      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97110      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97112                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97112      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97112      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97112      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97112      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97112      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97112      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97112      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97112      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97112      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97112      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97112                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97112                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97112      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97112      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97112      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97112      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44



                                                                                                              363
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97116                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97116      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97116      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97116      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97116      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97116      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97116      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97116      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $120.30       $120.30
 1    97116      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97116      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $120.30       $120.30
 1    97116      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97116                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97116                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97116      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97116      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97116      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97116      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97124                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97124      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97124      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 1    97124      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97124      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97124      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97124      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97124      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97124      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 1    97124      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $101.36       $101.36
 1    97124      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97124                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97124                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05       $84.79       $84.79
 c    97124      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97124      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51       $85.88       $85.88
 c    97124      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 c    97124      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32       $84.24       $84.24
 1    97139                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97139      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97139      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97139      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97139      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97139      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97139      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97139      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97139      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97139      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97139      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97139                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15



                                                                                                              364
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 c    97139                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97139      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97139      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97139      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97139      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97140                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97140      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97140      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97140      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97140      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97140      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97140      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97140      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $123.36       $123.36
 1    97140      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97140      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $123.36       $123.36
 1    97140      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97140                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97140                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97140      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97140      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97140      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97140      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97150                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97150      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97150      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97150      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97150      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97150      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97150      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97150      GO                       **             0-20      $67.57        $67.57       $65.24       $65.24
 1    97150      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97150      GP                       **             0-20      $67.57        $67.57       $65.24       $65.24
 1    97150      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97150                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97150                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97150      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97150      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97150      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97150      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97530                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97530      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97530      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97530      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97530      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97530      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97530      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44



                                                                                                              365
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97530      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97530      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97530      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97530      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97530                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97530                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97530      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97530      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97530      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97530      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97535                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97535      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97535      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97535      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97535      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97535      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97535      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97535      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97535      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97535      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97535      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97535                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97535                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97535      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97535      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97535      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97535      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97537                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97537      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97537      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97537      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97537      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97537      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97537      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97537      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97537      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97537      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97537      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97537                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97537                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97537      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97537      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97537      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97537      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97542                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97542      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15



                                                                                                              366
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                        CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                          Age       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2        Long Description **   Range    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97542      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97542      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97542      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97542      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97542      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97542      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97542      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97542      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97542      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97542      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97542                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97542                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97542      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97542      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97542      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97542      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97750      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97750      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97750      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97750      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97760      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97760      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97761      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97761      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97762      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97762      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97799                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97799      AT                       **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97799      AT                       **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 1    97799      AT       GO              **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97799      AT       GO              **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97799      AT       GP              **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97799      AT       GP              **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 1    97799      GO                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97799      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 1    97799      GP                       **             0-20      $135.14      $135.14      $130.48       $130.48
 1    97799      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97799                               **             0-20      $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97799                               **            21-999     $113.05      $113.05      $109.15       $109.15
 c    97799      GO                       **             0-20      $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97799      GO                       **            21-999     $114.51      $114.51      $110.56       $110.56
 c    97799      GP                       **             0-20      $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44
 c    97799      GP                       **            21-999     $112.32      $112.32      $108.44       $108.44




                                                                                                              367
                                                      Exhibit A
                  to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief

ATTACHMENT 2 - HOME HEALTH AGENCY (HHA) (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                                          CURRENT                         PROPOSED

                                                                                                Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure Modifier Modifier                                        Age         Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code      1        2                 Long Description **        Range      Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee

                                          Physical or manipulative
                                          therapy performed for
                                          maintenance rather than
  1     S8990                             restoration                  0-999        $57.14           $57.14          $55.17           $55.17
                                          Speech therapy, re-
  1     S9152                             evaluation                   0-20         $180.00         $180.00          $173.79         $173.79
                                          Speech therapy, re-
  1     S9152                             evaluation                  21-999        $105.50         $105.50          $101.86         $101.86

*Type of Service (TOS)
  1 Medical Services
  c Home Health Agency
Modifiers
 AT Acute Treatment
 GO Occupational Therapy
 GP Physical Therapy

**Required Notice: The five-character code included in this notice is obtained from the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®), copyright
2015 by the American Medical Association (AMA). CPT is developed by the AMA as a listing of descriptive terms and five character
identitying codes and modifiers for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians. The responsibility for the content of
this notice is with HHSC and no endorsement by the AMA is intended or should be implied. The AMA disclaims responsibility for any
consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse or interpretation of information contained in this notice. Fee schedules,
relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not
recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no
liability for data contained or not contained.




                                                                                                                                          368
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



ATTACHMENT 3 - INDEPENDENT THERAPIST (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                     CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                            Current                   Proposed
TOS Procedure                              Age     Place of    Current      Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code         Long Description **    Range    Service    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    92507                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25       $28.67       $28.67
 1    92507                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79       $28.67       $28.67
 1    92507                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25       $28.67       $28.67
 1    92507                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79       $28.67       $28.67
 1    92508                **              0-20                 $15.63       $15.63       $11.72       $11.72
 1    92508                **              0-20      P2         $15.63       $15.63       $11.72       $11.72
 1    92508                **             21-999                $15.63       $15.63       $11.72       $11.72
 1    92508                **             21-999     P2         $15.63       $15.63       $11.72       $11.72
 1    92521                **              0-20                 $117.18      $117.18      $87.89       $87.89
 1    92521                **              0-20      P2         $120.00      $120.00      $90.00       $90.00
 1    92521                **             21-999                $117.18      $117.18      $87.89       $87.89
 1    92521                **             21-999     P2         $120.00      $120.00      $90.00       $90.00
 1    92522                **              0-20                 $146.48      $146.48      $109.86      $109.86
 1    92522                **              0-20      P2         $150.00      $150.00      $112.50      $112.50
 1    92522                **             21-999                $146.48      $146.48      $109.86      $109.86
 1    92522                **             21-999     P2         $150.00      $150.00      $112.50      $112.50
 1    92523                **              0-20                 $195.30      $195.30      $146.48      $146.48
 1    92523                **              0-20      P2         $200.00      $200.00      $150.00      $150.00
 1    92523                **             21-999                $195.30      $195.30      $146.48      $146.48
 1    92523                **             21-999     P2         $200.00      $200.00      $150.00      $150.00
 1    92524                **              0-20                 $97.65       $97.65       $73.24       $73.24
 1    92524                **              0-20      P2         $100.00      $100.00      $75.00       $75.00
 1    92524                **             21-999                $97.65       $97.65       $73.24       $73.24
 1    92524                **             21-999     P2         $100.00      $100.00      $75.00       $75.00
 1    92526                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    92526                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    92526                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    92526                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    92610                **              0-999                $195.30      $195.30      $188.56      $188.56
 1    92610                **              0-999     P2         $200.00      $200.00      $193.10      $193.10
 1    97001                **              0-20                 $130.20      $130.20      $97.65       $97.65
 1    97001                **              0-20      P2         $137.20      $137.20      $102.90      $102.90
 1    97001                **             21-999                $130.20      $130.20      $97.65       $97.65
 1    97001                **             21-999     P2         $137.20      $137.20      $102.90      $102.90
 1    97002                **              0-20                 $117.18      $117.18      $87.89       $87.89
 1    97002                **              0-20      P2         $123.48      $123.48      $92.61       $92.61
 1    97002                **             21-999                $117.18      $117.18      $87.89       $87.89
 1    97002                **             21-999     P2         $123.48      $123.48      $92.61       $92.61
 1    97003                **              0-20                 $130.20      $130.20      $97.65       $97.65
 1    97003                **              0-20      P2         $137.20      $137.20      $102.90      $102.90
 1    97003                **             21-999                $130.20      $130.20      $97.65       $97.65
 1    97003                **             21-999     P2         $137.20      $137.20      $102.90      $102.90
 1    97004                **              0-20                 $117.18      $117.18      $87.89       $87.89
 1    97004                **              0-20      P2         $123.48      $123.48      $92.61       $92.61




                                                                                                             369
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



ATTACHMENT 3 - INDEPENDENT THERAPIST (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                     CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                            Current                   Proposed
TOS Procedure                              Age     Place of    Current      Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code         Long Description **    Range    Service    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97004                **             21-999                $117.18      $117.18       $87.89       $87.89
 1    97004                **             21-999     P2         $123.48      $123.48       $92.61       $92.61
 1    97012                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97012                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97012                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97012                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97014                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97014                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97014                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97014                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97016                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97016                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97016                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97016                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97018                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97018                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97018                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97018                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97022                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97022                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97022                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97022                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97024                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97024                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97024                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97024                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97026                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97026                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97026                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $23.44       $23.44
 1    97026                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $25.34       $25.34
 1    97028                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97028                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97028                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97028                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97032                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97032                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97032                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97032                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97033                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97033                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97033                **             21-999                $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97033                **             21-999     P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62
 1    97034                **              0-20                 $31.25       $31.25        $30.17       $30.17
 1    97034                **              0-20      P2         $33.79       $33.79        $32.62       $32.62



                                                                                                             370
                                                  Exhibit A
              to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



ATTACHMENT 3 - INDEPENDENT THERAPIST (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                     CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                            Current                   Proposed
TOS Procedure                              Age     Place of    Current      Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code         Long Description **    Range    Service    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
 1    97034                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97034                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97035                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97035                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97035                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97035                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97036                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97036                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97036                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97036                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97039                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $23.44       $23.44
 1    97039                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $25.34       $25.34
 1    97039                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $23.44       $23.44
 1    97039                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $25.34       $25.34
 1    97110                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97110                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97110                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97110                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97112                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97112                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97112                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97112                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97113                **              0-20                  $36.70       $36.70       $35.43       $35.43
 1    97113                **              0-20      P2          $39.69       $39.69       $38.32       $38.32
 1    97113                **             21-999                 $36.70       $36.70       $35.43       $35.43
 1    97113                **             21-999     P2          $39.69       $39.69       $38.32       $38.32
 1    97116                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.08       $30.08
 1    97116                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $30.08       $30.08
 1    97116                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.08       $30.08
 1    97116                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $30.08       $30.08
 1    97124                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $23.44       $23.44
 1    97124                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $25.34       $25.34
 1    97124                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $23.44       $23.44
 1    97124                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $25.34       $25.34
 1    97139                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97139                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97139                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97139                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
 1    97140                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.84       $30.84
 1    97140                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $30.84       $30.84
 1    97140                **             21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.84       $30.84
 1    97140                **             21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $30.84       $30.84
 1    97150                **              0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
 1    97150                **              0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62



                                                                                                             371
                                                   Exhibit A
               to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



ATTACHMENT 3 - INDEPENDENT THERAPIST (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                              CURRENT                   PROPOSED

                                                                                     Current                   Proposed
TOS Procedure                                       Age     Place of    Current      Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code           Long Description **           Range    Service    Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee
  1    97150                  **                   21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97150                  **                   21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97530                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97530                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97530                  **                   21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97530                  **                   21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97535                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97535                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97537                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97537                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97542                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97542                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97750                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97750                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97750                  **                   21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97750                  **                   21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97760                  **                    0-20                  $32.76       $32.76       $31.63       $31.63
  1    97760                  **                    0-20      P2          $35.42       $35.42       $34.20       $34.20
  1    97761                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97761                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97762                  **                    0-20                  $39.73       $39.73       $35.09       $35.09
  1    97762                  **                    0-20      P2          $42.97       $42.97       $35.09       $35.09
  1    97799                  **                    0-20                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97799                  **                    0-20      P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    97799                  **                   21-999                 $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17
  1    97799                  **                   21-999     P2          $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62

                Physical or manipulative therapy
                  performed for maintenance
  1    S8990         rather than restoration       0-999                  $31.25       $31.25       $30.17       $30.17

                Physical or manipulative therapy
                  performed for maintenance
  1    S8990         rather than restoration     0-999        P2         $33.79       $33.79       $32.62       $32.62
  1    S9152     Speech therapy, re-evaluation   0-20                    $180.00      $180.00      $173.79      $173.79
  1    S9152     Speech therapy, re-evaluation    0-20        P2         $180.00      $180.00      $173.79      $173.79
  1    S9152     Speech therapy, re-evaluation 21-999                    $175.77      $175.77      $169.71      $169.71

*Type of Service (TOS)
  1 !Medical Services
Place of Service
 P2 !Home




                                                                                                                      372
                                                     Exhibit A
                 to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief



ATTACHMENT 3 - INDEPENDENT THERAPIST (proposed to be effective October 1, 2015)

                                                                                         CURRENT                         PROPOSED

                                                                                               Current                  Proposed
TOS Procedure                                           Age        Place of       Current     Adjusted     Proposed     Adjusted
 *    Code               Long Description **           Range       Service      Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee Medicaid Fee

**Required Notice: The five-character code included in this notice is obtained from the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®),
copyright 2015 by the American Medical Association (AMA). CPT is developed by the AMA as a listing of descriptive terms and five
character identifying codes and modifiers for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians. The responsibility for
the content of this notice is with HHSC and no endorsement by the AMA is intended or should be implied. The AMA disclaims
responsibility for any consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse or interpretation of information contained in this
notice. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of
CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical
services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained.




                                                                                                                                           373
D
                                            EXHIBIT 1



STATE OF TEXAS                                   §
                                                 §
TRAVIS COUNTY                                    §

                             AFFIDAVIT OF PAM McDONALD

       On this day, Pam McDonald appeared before me, the undersigned notary public. After I

administered an oath to her, she said the following:

1. My name is Pam McDonald. I am over eighteen (18) years of age and competent to make the
   following statement. The facts stated in this affidavit are within my personal knowledge and
   are true and correct.
2. I am director of the Rate Analysis Department ("RAD" or "Rate Analysis") for the Texas
   Health and Human Services Commission ("HHSC"). I have been employed with HHSC Rate
   Analysis since June of 1992 and prior to June 1992, I was employed with the Rate Analysis
   Department of the legacy Department of Human Services from January 1989 through May
   1992. I have been the Director of Rate Analysis since December 2011. I am familiar with
   general statutory and regulatory provisions controlling HHSC's authority and obligation to set
   payment rates for Medicaid providers, including, for example, 42 U.S. Code §
   1396a(a)(30)(A); Texas Government Code 531.021; Texas Human Resources Code§§ 32.028,
   32.0281, and 32.0282; and state rules at 1 Texas Administrative Code§§ 355.201, 355.8021,
   355.8085, and 355.8441.
3. I am familiar with the lawsuit Diana D. et al. v. Traylor and HHSC, the plaintiffs major
   allegations in this case, and the Court's recent order (September 25, 2015) granting a
   Temporary Injunction in this case.
4. Along with my staff, I was directly involved in proposing the therapy rates which are the
   subject of Plaintiffs' allegations in this lawsuit. I have read the Temporary Injunction in this
   case.   HHSC respectfully disagrees with many conclusions expressed in the Temporary
   Injunction. More importantly, I believe that the HHSC Rate Analysis Department will be
   unable to carry out current HHSC obligations while constrained by the directives in the
   Temporary Injunction, specifically the paragraph at pp. 9-10 ordering HHSC "desist and
   refrain from taking any action to propose or implement any change in reimbursement rates for
   physical, occupational, and speech therapy services under the Texas Medicaid program without




                                                                                                      684
                                               EXHIBIT 1



     conducting a review of payments for providing Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services and
     conducting a review of costs associated with providing Medicaid-reimbursable therapy
     services."
5. Moreover, the Temporary Injunction uses and applies rate-making terminology and regulatory
     provisions in ways which are inconsistent and fundamentally at odds with the rules as written
     and with HHSC's usage of these terms and rules, and in a way which creates confusion and
     interferes with HHSC's duties in administering the Texas Medicaid program.
Basis for HHSC's Action; Rider 50 versus Periodic Rate Review
6. As an initial example, as I have previously testified, the rate change at the center of the dispute
     in this case is the result of HHSC's attempt to implement the legislative direction in Rider 50.
     It is not the result of a periodic rate review. As such, the rate change would be governed by 1
     TAC§ 355.201, not 1 TAC §355.8021. Even if the rate change was governed by 1 TAC§
     355.8021, the Temporary Injunction applies HHSC's rules regarding basic rate-making in a
     fundamentally different and opposing fashion than has been consistently applied by the HHSC
     itself.
7. Pursuant to 1 TAC§ 355.201, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, HHSC may
     adjust rates if the Legislature enacts or implements any state law to restrict, limit, or condition
     the availability of appropriated funds.
8. The Court found that the proposed rates in this case are the result of a "periodic rate review,''
     and therefore required an analysis of the payments and costs associated with providing
     Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services pursuant to 1 TAC § 355.8021(a)(2)(B). However,
     since 2010, this rule has provided that the decision to conduct a periodic rate review is
     permissive and discretionary ("HHSC may conduct periodic rate reviews ... ")(emphasis
     added), which includes the decision to perform a cost analysis. HHSC can and does distinguish
     between periodic rate reviews and other rate reviews; a chart identifying periodic rate reviews
     (identified herein as "Calendar Fee Reviews") is attached as Exhibit "1-A". The Court also
     describes 1 TAC § 355.8021(a)(2)(A) as being a "formula."               From a rate-setting and
     mathematical perspective, it is inaccurate to describe the methodology described under 1 TAC
     § 355.8021(a)(2)(A) as a "formula" because it lacks the necessary precision. The rule was
     amended in 2010 to clarify the discretionary nature of this task. At that time, the rule was also



21   Pa g

                                                                                                           685
                                               EXHIBIT 1



   amended to reflect that, "Payment for these services will be adjusted within available funding."
    1 TAC§ 355.8021(a)(3).
9. From an implementation standpoint, the Temporary Injunction has the effect of rewriting
   HHSC's administrative rule in several important respects. According to the terms of the
   Temporary Injunction, there is no longer a distinction between periodic rate reviews and other
   types of rate reviews HHSC conducts. Instead, according paragraph 27 of the Temporary
   Injunction, 1 TAC § 355.8021(a)(2)(B) governs all therapy rate changes for physical,
   occupational, and speech services under the Texas Medicaid program during the pendency of
   this lawsuit.   Likewise, the cost analysis referenced in 1 TAC § 355.8021(a)(2)(B) is a
   mandatory requirement of all therapy rate changes.        Under the terms of the Temporary
   Injunction, HHSC no longer controls when to conduct a periodic rate review process, as
   distinct from other types of rate reviews. All therapy rate reviews are now subject to the
   heretofore discretionary cost analysis referenced in§ 355.8021(a)(2)(B).
Managed Care Rules Do Not Apply to Fee for Service
10. The Temporary Injunction also mistakenly cites several prov1s10ns from 1 Texas
   Administrative Code Chapter 353. As the title of this chapter suggests, the rules in this chapter
   involve the Medicaid managed care program. Under the Medicaid Managed Care program,
   HHSC pays various managed care organizations (MCOS) a capitated payment, based on a "per
   member per month" (PMPM) fee, to take care of the medical needs of that client. It is my
   understanding that Chapter 353 rules control the MCOs general responsibilities to the HHSC
   and to the client, and that Chapter 353 rules do not control the fee for service program, or the
   Medicaid program as a whole. As a rule, Rate Analysis does not and to my knowledge has
   never incorporated Chapter 353 requirements into its analyses or development of rates
   governing the fee for service program. The implementation of the Temporary Injunction
   appears to cast this practice into doubt.
Terms of the Court's Order
11. Under paragraph 27 of the Temporary Injunction, HHSC is ordered to take no action to propose
   or implement any other change in Medicaid reimbursement rates for physical, occupational,
   and speech therapy services without conducting a review of payments for providing Medicaid-
   reimbursable therapy services and conducting a review of costs associated with providing
   Medicaid-reimbursable therapy services.


31Pagc

                                                                                                       686
                                           EXHIBIT 1



12. This injunction will hamper and obstruct HHSC Rate Analysis in its rate-making process in
   the immediate future, including in some of the following ways:
   •   HCPCS: "HCPCS" refers to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. In terms
       of Rate Analysis' responsibility, during the last few months of the year, HHSC faces an
       annual task of updating hundreds ofHCPCS billing codes. Each code represents a separate
       service for which HHSC must set a payment rate. Typically a few dozen of these will be
       therapy codes. This process can be understood as weeding out obsolete codes and adding
       new codes. Under federal CMS regulations and guidance, at the stmi of each year, HHSC
       must pay under the current and active codes, and cannot continue to pay under an old
       discontinued code. HHSC is only able to pay on a new code if a rate has been adopted and
       set into our payment system. (By way of illustration, an excerpt of a 2015 HCPCS Special
       Bulletin is attached as Exhibit "1-B".)
   •   NCCI (National Correct Coding Initiative):          HHSC is currently in the midst of
       complying with NCCI, which for certain codes requires a switch or conversion of the
       billing unit of service between time-based increments and visits and associated rate-making
       activities. For example, a code may currently be billed as a 15 minutes increment, but be
       required to be billed as a visit under NCCI.
   •   Therapy Assistant Code: HHSC is in the process of exploring the need for a distinct rate
       for Therapy Assistants. If it is determined that a distinct rate for services provided by
       Therapy Assistants is appropriate, a rate will need to be adopted and set into our payment
       system.
   •   Waiver Programs: A strict reading of the order would also require HHSC to apply
       §355.8021(a)(2)(B) in setting rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services
       used in Texas Medicaid waiver programs such as Community Living Assistance and
       Support Services (CLASS), Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas
       Home Living (TxHmL). These programs provide physical, occupational, and speech
       therapy services, and HHSC Rate Analysis currently sets separate hourly rates for each
       type of therapy under §355.502 (Reimbursement Methodology for Common Services in
       Home and Community-Based Services Waivers).
13. Each of the tasks listed above involve an analysis of one or more therapy rates and a
   corresponding rate-setting process.     Therefore, under a strict reading of the Temporary

41 Pa g

                                                                                                     687
                                            EXHIBIT 1



   Injunction, HHSC is now required to perform a cost analysis of each new code. A cost analysis
   is likely to take twelve to twenty-four months to conduct, depending on the type of cost analysis
   to be conducted. If a cost analysis involves implementation of a full cost report procedure,
   with audits required, then 24 months or more is realistic. If a cost report procedure is
   implemented without an audit procedure, then the results will be more susceptible to fraud.
   Implementation of dozens or hundreds of therapy rates under these new restrictions is not
   feasible.
14. I have requested that Rate Analysis staff attempt to quantify the expense of complying with
   the Temporary Injunction, and specifically to implement a cost report procedure for these
   therapy services. An increase in staff would be required. Currently, Rate Analysis Department
   has 123 employees. Three (3) employees work on therapy codes.
15. By way of background, the total paid amount in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014 for all therapy
   services including hospitals, nursing homes and other providers was $722,363,905. The total
   paid amount in SFY 2014 for only HHA's (home health agencies), ORFs (Outpatient
   Rehabilitation Facilities), CORFs (Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities)
   (CORF/ORFs), and Independent Therapists (including Early Childhood Intervention and
   physicians) ("Independents"), was $680,972,826. The division in total paid amount is shown
   below for the 3 provider types.



                                                     Total Paid
                                                    Amount 2014

                                  HHA               $360,951,215
                                  Independent
                                  Therapist         $157, 159,307
                                  CORF/ORF          $162,862,303
                                  TOTAL             $680,972,826


16. Most of the therapy services which are at the center of the rate dispute are provided by several
   provider types, including ORFs, CORFs, HHA's, and Independents. Based on data provided
   by HHSC Statistical Data Services, in 2014, HHSC had 261 CORF and ORF providers, 1,616
   HHA's, and 2,400 Independents emolled in Medicaid, for a total of 4,277 providers providing
   therapy services in this class. Based on previous experience, it is reasonable to assume that in
   any given year, HHSC would excuse a fair number of providers from submitting cost reports

SjPagc

                                                                                                       688
                                             EXHIBIT 1



     for various reasons.   Based on these assumptions, HHSC Rate Analysis Department has
     worked up an estimate of the cost of designing and automating cost report forms, training
     providers on cost report completion, processing and auditing submitted cost reports, and
     analyzing data bases built from cost report data to calculate rates. The estimated total annual
     cost would be $5.6 million, all funds, split 50/50 between General Revenue and federal
     funds. The Rate Analysis Department would require an estimated 50.7 full time employees
     (FTEs) to perform these new duties. The vast majority of the new staff and associated costs
     would be required for audit staff to ensure the accuracy of the submitted cost
     reports. Historically, the high administrative costs of using cost reports to calculate rates is
     one of the many reasons HHSC has moved away from that approach to rate-setting for these
     services.


     Executed on October 14, 2015.


                                                       PAM McDONALD




SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me on the \ y-VI\ day of                Oak~                , 2015.


                                                    v!Sa!JLbm) lli/1\ }-0
                                                       Notary Public in and for State of Texas


                                                       Notary's Printed Name




61    a gc


                                                                                                        689
E
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...



                                                       135 S.Ct. 1378
                                              Supreme Court of the United States

                                         Richard ARMSTRONG et al., Petitioners
                                                        v.
                                       EXCEPTIONAL CHILD CENTER, INC., et al.

                          No. 14–15.      |   Argued Jan. 20, 2015.       |   Decided March 31, 2015.

Synopsis
Background: Providers of residential habilitation services to Medicaid-eligible individuals brought action against Director and
Deputy Director of Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) and former IDHW Division of Medicaid Administrator,
challenging IDHW's failure to amend existing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and seeking injunctive relief. The United States
District Court for the District of Idaho, B. Lynn Winmill, Chief Judge, 835 F.Supp.2d 960, granted summary judgment to
providers. Defendants appealed. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 567 Fed.Appx. 496, affirmed.
Certiorari was granted in part.



Holdings: The Supreme Court, Justice Scalia, held that:

[1] the ability to sue to enjoin unconstitutional actions by state officers does not rest upon an implied right of action contained
in the Supremacy Clause, and

[2] Medicaid Act did not authorize providers' private action for injunctive relief to enforce against a State the Act's
reimbursement-rate standard.


Reversed.

Justice Breyer filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment.

Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Kennedy, Ginsburg, and Kagan joined.



 West Headnotes (20)


 [1]    States       Conflicting or conforming laws or regulations
        The Supremacy Clause creates a rule of decision, under which courts must not give effect to state laws that conflict
        with federal laws. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 6, cl. 2.

        4 Cases that cite this headnote


 [2]    Civil Rights       Other particular rights
        Civil Rights       Private Right of Action




                 © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                            1
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

        The Supremacy Clause is not the source of any federal rights, and certainly does not create a cause of action; it instructs
        courts what to do when state and federal law clash, but it is silent regarding who may enforce federal laws in court,
        and in what circumstances they may do so. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 6, cl. 2.

        7 Cases that cite this headnote


 [3]    United States       Necessary and Proper Clause
        Article I vests Congress with broad discretion over the manner of implementing its enumerated powers, by giving
        it authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying them into execution. U.S.C.A. Const.
        Art. 1, § 8, cl. 18.

        1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [4]    United States       Necessary and Proper Clause
        The Necessary and Proper Clause confers upon Congress that discretion, with respect to the means by which the
        powers the Constitution confers are to be carried into execution, which will enable that body to perform the high
        duties assigned to it. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 1, § 8, cl. 18.

        1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [5]    Criminal Law         States
        States       Offenses and punishments
        Under the Supremacy Clause, a court may not convict a criminal defendant of violating a state law that federal law
        prohibits. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 6, cl. 2.

        2 Cases that cite this headnote


 [6]    States       Conflicting or conforming laws or regulations
        Under the Supremacy Clause, a court may not hold a civil defendant liable under state law for conduct that federal
        law requires. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 6, cl. 2.

        Cases that cite this headnote


 [7]    Injunction       On ground of invalidity
        If an individual claims federal law immunizes him from state regulation, the court may issue an injunction upon
        finding the state regulatory actions preempted.

        2 Cases that cite this headnote


 [8]    Federal Courts        Suits for injunctive or other prospective or equitable relief; Ex parte Young doctrine
        Federal Courts        Agencies, officers, and public employees
        Injunction       Injunctions against government officials in general
        Federal courts may in some circumstances grant injunctive relief against state officers or federal officers who are
        violating, or planning to violate, federal law.

        3 Cases that cite this headnote



                 © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                             2
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...


 [9]    Injunction       Injunctions against government officials in general
        In a proper case, injunctive relief may be given in a court of equity to prevent an injurious act by a public officer.

        Cases that cite this headnote


 [10]   Injunction       Equitable nature of remedy
        Injunction       Injunctions against government officials in general
        The ability to sue to enjoin unconstitutional actions by state and federal officers is the creation of courts of equity,
        and reflects a long history of judicial review of illegal executive action.

        1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [11]   Civil Rights      Injunction
        The ability to sue to enjoin unconstitutional actions by state officers does not rest upon an implied right of action
        contained in the Supremacy Clause, and instead is a judge-made remedy. U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 6, cl. 2.

        3 Cases that cite this headnote


 [12]   Injunction       Health care; Medicare and Medicaid
        Providers of residential habilitation services to Medicaid-eligible individuals could not bring an action seeking
        injunctive relief to enforce against a State the Medicaid Act's requirement of setting reimbursement rates sufficient
        to enlist enough providers of health care services; Medicaid Act, by providing an administrative remedy, implicitly
        precluded such a private enforcement action, and the provision that the providers sought to enforce was judicially
        unadministrable. Medicaid Act, §§ 1902(a)(30)(A), 1904, 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 1396a(a)(30)(A), 1396c.

        6 Cases that cite this headnote


 [13]   Federal Courts        Suits for injunctive or other prospective or equitable relief; Ex parte Young doctrine
        Injunction       Injunctions against government officials in general
        The power of federal courts of equity to enjoin unlawful executive action is subject to express and implied statutory
        limitations.

        2 Cases that cite this headnote


 [14]   Equity       Equity follows the law
        Courts of equity can no more disregard statutory and constitutional requirements and provisions than can courts of law.

        1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [15]   Action       Statutory rights of action
        Action       Cumulative or exclusive remedies
        Express provision, in a federal statute, of one method of enforcing a substantive rule suggests that Congress intended
        to preclude others.

        Cases that cite this headnote



              © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                3
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...


 [16]    Statutes       Language
         A long-established practice does not justify a rule that denies statutory text its fairest reading.

         Cases that cite this headnote


 [17]    Statutes       Legislative Construction
         Under the prior-construction canon of statutory interpretation, when judicial interpretations have settled the meaning
         of an existing statutory provision, repetition of the same language in a new statute is presumed to incorporate that
         interpretation.

         2 Cases that cite this headnote


 [18]    Action       Statutory rights of action
         Health       Judicial Review; Actions
         The provision of the Medicaid Act, requiring States to set reimbursement rates sufficient to enlist enough providers of
         health care services, lacks the sort of rights-creating language needed to imply a private right of action to enforce the
         provision. (Per Justice Scalia, with three Justices concurring and one Justice concurring in the judgment.) Medicaid
         Act, § 1902(a)(30)(A), 42 U.S.C.A. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).

         7 Cases that cite this headnote


 [19]    Health       Medicaid and similar programs in general
         United States        Spending
         Spending Clause legislation like Medicaid is much in the nature of a contract. (Per Justice Scalia, with three Justices
         concurring and one Justice concurring in the judgment.) U.S.C.A. Const. Art. 1, § 8, cl. 1; Social Security Act, § 1901
         et seq., 42 U.S.C.A. § 1396 et seq.

         1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [20]    Action       Statutory rights of action
         A private right of action under federal law is not created by mere implication, but must be unambiguously conferred.
         (Per Justice Scalia, with three Justices concurring and one Justice concurring in the judgment.)

         1 Cases that cite this headnote




                                                           *1380 Syllabus *

*       The syllabus constitutes no part of the opinion of the Court but has been prepared by the Reporter of Decisions for the convenience
        of the reader. See United States v. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 U.S. 321, 337, 26 S.Ct. 282, 50 L.Ed. 499.
Providers of “habilitation services” under Idaho's Medicaid plan are reimbursed by the State's Department of Health and
Welfare. Section 30(A) of the Medicaid Act requires Idaho's plan to “assure that payments are consistent with efficiency,
economy, and quality of care” while “safeguard[ing] against unnecessary utilization of ... care and services.” 42 U.S.C. §
1396a(a)(30)(A). Respondents, providers of habilitation services, sued petitioners, Idaho Health and Welfare Department



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                     4
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

officials, claiming that Idaho reimbursed them at rates lower than § 30(A) permits, and seeking to enjoin petitioners to increase
these rates. The District Court entered summary judgment for the providers. The Ninth Circuit affirmed, concluding that the
Supremacy Clause gave the providers an implied right of action, and that they could sue under this implied right of action to
seek an injunction *1381 requiring Idaho to comply with § 30(a).

Held : The judgment is reversed.

567 Fed.Appx. 496, reversed.

Justice SCALIA delivered the opinion of the Court, except as to Part IV, concluding that the Supremacy Clause does not confer
a private right of action, and that Medicaid providers cannot sue for an injunction requiring compliance with § 30(a). Pp. 1383
– 1387.

(a) The Supremacy Clause instructs courts to give federal law priority when state and federal law clash. Gibbons v. Ogden, 9
Wheat. 1, 210, 6 L.Ed. 23. But it is not the “ ‘source of any federal rights,’ ” Golden State Transit Corp. v. Los Angeles, 493
U.S. 103, 107, 110 S.Ct. 444, 107 L.Ed.2d 420, and certainly does not create a cause of action. Nothing in the Clause's text
suggests otherwise, and nothing suggests it was ever understood as conferring a private right of action. Article I vests Congress
with broad discretion over the manner of implementing its enumerated powers. Art I., § 8; McCulloch v. Maryland, 4 Wheat.
316, 421, 4 L.Ed. 579. It is unlikely that the Constitution gave Congress broad discretion with regard to the enactment of laws,
while simultaneously limiting Congress's power over the manner of their implementation, making it impossible to leave the
enforcement of federal law to federal actors. Pp. 1383 – 1384.

(b) Reading the Supremacy Clause not to confer a private right of action is consistent with this Court's preemption jurisprudence.
The ability to sue to enjoin unconstitutional actions by state and federal officers is the creation of courts of equity, and reflects a
long history of judicial review of illegal executive action, tracing back to England. This Court has never held nor suggested that
this judge-made remedy, in its application to state officers, rests upon an implied right of action contained in the Supremacy
Clause. Pp. 1384 – 1385.

(c) Respondents' suit cannot proceed in equity. The power of federal courts of equity to enjoin unlawful executive action is
subject to express and implied statutory limitations. See, e.g., Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44, 74, 116 S.Ct. 1114,
134 L.Ed.2d 252. Here, the express provision of a single remedy for a State's failure to comply with Medicaid's requirements
—the withholding of Medicaid funds by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 42 U.S.C. § 1396c—and the sheer
complexity associated with enforcing § 30(A) combine to establish Congress's “intent to foreclose” equitable relief, Verizon
Md., Inc. v. Public Serv. Comm'n of Md., 535 U.S. 635, 647, 122 S.Ct. 1753, 152 L.Ed.2d 871. Pp. 1384 – 1387.

SCALIA, J., delivered the opinion of the Court with respect to Parts I, II, and III, in which ROBERTS, C.J., and THOMAS,
BREYER, and ALITO, JJ., joined, and an opinion with respect to Part IV, in which ROBERTS, C.J., and THOMAS and
ALITO, JJ., joined. BREYER, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. SOTOMAYOR, J., filed
a dissenting opinion, in which KENNEDY, GINSBURG, and KAGAN, JJ., joined.


Attorneys and Law Firms

Carl J. Withroe, Boise, ID, for Petitioners.

Edwin S. Kneedler for the United States as amicus curiae, by special leave of the Court, supporting the Petitioners.

James M. Piotrowski, Boise, ID, for Respondents.

Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General, Brian Kane, Assistant Chief Deputy, Attorney General, Steven L. Olsen, Chief of
Civil Litigation, Boise, ID, Carl J. Withroe, *1382 Counsel of Record, Deputy Attorney General, Boise, ID, for Petitioners.


                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                 5
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...


James M. Piotrowski, Counsel of Record, Herzfeld & Piotrowski, LLP, Boise, ID, Stephen P. Berzon, Stacey M. Leyton,
Matthew J. Murray, Altshuler Berzon LLP, San Francisco, CA, for Respondents.

Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General, Steven L. Olsen, Chief of Civil Litigation, Carl J. Withroe, Deputy Attorney General,
Boise, ID, Peg M. Dougherty, Deputy Attorney General, Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare, Boise, ID, for Petitioners.

Opinion

Justice SCALIA delivered the opinion of the Court, except as to Part IV.

We consider whether Medicaid providers can sue to enforce § (30)(A) of the Medicaid Act. 81 Stat. 911 (codified as amended
at 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A)).



                                                                 I

Medicaid is a federal program that subsidizes the States' provision of medical services to “families with dependent children
and of aged, blind, or disabled individuals, whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical
services.” § 1396–1. Like other Spending Clause legislation, Medicaid offers the States a bargain: Congress provides federal
funds in exchange for the States' agreement to spend them in accordance with congressionally imposed conditions.

In order to qualify for Medicaid funding, the State of Idaho adopted, and the Federal Government approved, a Medicaid “plan,” §
1396a(a), which Idaho administers through its Department of Health and Welfare. Idaho's plan includes “habilitation services”—
in-home care for individuals who, “but for the provision of such services ... would require the level of care provided in a hospital
or a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded the cost of which could be reimbursed under the State
plan,” § 1396n(c) and (c)(1). Providers of these services are reimbursed by the Department of Health and Welfare.

Section 30(A) of the Medicaid Act requires Idaho's plan to:

  “provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization of, and the payment for, care and services available under
  the plan ... as may be necessary to safeguard against unnecessary utilization of such care and services and to assure that
  payments are consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are sufficient to enlist enough providers so that
  care and services are available under the plan at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general
  population in the geographic area....” 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).

Respondents are providers of habilitation services to persons covered by Idaho's Medicaid plan. They sued petitioners—two
officials in Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare—in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, claiming
that Idaho violates § 30(A) by reimbursing providers of habilitation services at rates lower than § 30(A) permits. They asked
the court to enjoin petitioners to increase these rates.

The District Court entered summary judgment for the providers, holding that Idaho had not set rates in a manner consistent
with § 30(A). Inclusion, Inc. v. Armstrong, 835 F.Supp.2d 960 (2011). The Ninth Circuit affirmed. *1383 567 Fed.Appx. 496
(2014). It said that the providers had “an implied right of action under the Supremacy Clause to seek injunctive relief against the
enforcement or implementation of state legislation.” Id., at 497 (citing Independent Living Center of Southern Cal. v. Shewry,
543 F.3d 1050, 1065 (C.A.9 2008)). We granted certiorari. 573 U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 44, 189 L.Ed.2d 897 (2014).



                                                                II

[1]    [2]   The Supremacy Clause, Art. VI, cl. 2, reads:


                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              6
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...


             “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all
             Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme
             Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or
             Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

It is apparent that this Clause creates a rule of decision: Courts “shall” regard the “Constitution,” and all laws “made in Pursuance
thereof,” as “the supreme Law of the Land.” They must not give effect to state laws that conflict with federal laws. Gibbons
v. Ogden, 9 Wheat. 1, 210, 6 L.Ed. 23 (1824). It is equally apparent that the Supremacy Clause is not the “ ‘source of any
federal rights,’ ” Golden State Transit Corp. v. Los Angeles, 493 U.S. 103, 107, 110 S.Ct. 444, 107 L.Ed.2d 420 (1989) (quoting
Chapman v. Houston Welfare Rights Organization, 441 U.S. 600, 613, 99 S.Ct. 1905, 60 L.Ed.2d 508 (1979)), and certainly
does not create a cause of action. It instructs courts what to do when state and federal law clash, but is silent regarding who
may enforce federal laws in court, and in what circumstances they may do so.

Hamilton wrote that the Supremacy Clause “only declares a truth, which flows immediately and necessarily from the institution
of a Federal Government.” The Federalist No. 33, p. 207 (J. Cooke ed.1961). And Story described the Clause as “a positive
affirmance of that, which is necessarily implied.” 3 Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States § 1831, p. 693
(1833). These descriptions would have been grossly inapt if the Clause were understood to give affected parties a constitutional
(and hence congressionally unalterable) right to enforce federal laws against the States. And had it been understood to provide
such significant private rights against the States, one would expect to find that mentioned in the preratification historical record,
which contained ample discussion of the Supremacy Clause by both supporters and opponents of ratification. See C. Drahozal,
The Supremacy Clause: A Reference Guide to the United States Constitution 25 (2004); The Federalist No. 44, at 306 (J.
Madison). We are aware of no such mention, and respondents have not provided any. Its conspicuous absence militates strongly
against their position.

 [3] [4] Additionally, it is important to read the Supremacy Clause in the context of the Constitution as a whole. Article I
vests Congress with broad discretion over the manner of implementing its enumerated powers, giving it authority to “make all
Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying [them] into Execution.” Art. I, § 8. We have said that this confers upon
the Legislature “that discretion, with respect to the means by which the powers [the Constitution] confers are to be carried into
execution, which will enable that body to perform the high duties assigned to it,” McCulloch v. Maryland, 4 Wheat. 316, 421,
4 L.Ed. 579 (1819). It is unlikely that the Constitution gave Congress such broad discretion with regard to the enactment of
laws, while simultaneously limiting Congress's *1384 power over the manner of their implementation, making it impossible
to leave the enforcement of federal law to federal actors. If the Supremacy Clause includes a private right of action, then the
Constitution requires Congress to permit the enforcement of its laws by private actors, significantly curtailing its ability to
guide the implementation of federal law. It would be strange indeed to give a clause that makes federal law supreme a reading
that limits Congress's power to enforce that law, by imposing mandatory private enforcement—a limitation unheard-of with
regard to state legislatures.

 [5] [6] [7] To say that the Supremacy Clause does not confer a right of action is not to diminish the significant role that
courts play in assuring the supremacy of federal law. For once a case or controversy properly comes before a court, judges are
bound by federal law. Thus, a court may not convict a criminal defendant of violating a state law that federal law prohibits. See,
e.g., Pennsylvania v. Nelson, 350 U.S. 497, 499, 509, 76 S.Ct. 477, 100 L.Ed. 640 (1956). Similarly, a court may not hold a civil
defendant liable under state law for conduct federal law requires. See, e.g., Mutual Pharmaceutical Co. v. Bartlett, 570 U.S.
––––, –––– – ––––, 133 S.Ct. 2466, 2476–2477, 186 L.Ed.2d 607 (2013). And, as we have long recognized, if an individual
claims federal law immunizes him from state regulation, the court may issue an injunction upon finding the state regulatory
actions preempted. Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 155–156, 28 S.Ct. 441, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908).

 [8] [9] Respondents contend that our preemption jurisprudence—specifically, the fact that we have regularly considered
whether to enjoin the enforcement of state laws that are alleged to violate federal law—demonstrates that the Supremacy Clause
creates a cause of action for its violation. They are incorrect. It is true enough that we have long held that federal courts may in


                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                               7
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

some circumstances grant injunctive relief against state officers who are violating, or planning to violate, federal law. See, e.g.,
Osborn v. Bank of United States, 9 Wheat. 738, 838–839, 844, 6 L.Ed. 204 (1824); Ex parte Young, supra, at 150–151, 28 S.Ct.
441 (citing Davis v. Gray, 16 Wall. 203, 220, 21 L.Ed. 447 (1873)). But that has been true not only with respect to violations
of federal law by state officials, but also with respect to violations of federal law by federal officials. See American School of
Magnetic Healing v. McAnnulty, 187 U.S. 94, 110, 23 S.Ct. 33, 47 L.Ed. 90 (1902); see generally L. Jaffe, Judicial Control of
Administrative Action 152–196 (1965). Thus, the Supremacy Clause need not be (and in light of our textual analysis above,
cannot be) the explanation. What our cases demonstrate is that, “in a proper case, relief may be given in a court of equity ... to
prevent an injurious act by a public officer.” Carroll v. Safford, 3 How. 441, 463, 11 L.Ed. 671 (1845).

 [10] [11] The ability to sue to enjoin unconstitutional actions by state and federal officers is the creation of courts of equity,
and reflects a long history of judicial review of illegal executive action, tracing back to England. See Jaffe & Henderson, Judicial
Review and the Rule of Law: Historical Origins, 72 L.Q. Rev. 345 (1956). It is a judge-made remedy, and we have never held
or even suggested that, in its application to state officers, it rests upon an implied right of action contained in the Supremacy
Clause. That is because, as even the dissent implicitly acknowledges, post, at 1391 – 1392 (opinion of SOTOMAYOR, J.) it
does not. The Ninth Circuit erred in holding otherwise.



                                                            *1385 III


                                                                 A

 [12] We turn next to respondents' contention that, quite apart from any cause of action conferred by the Supremacy Clause,
this suit can proceed against Idaho in equity.

 [13] [14] The power of federal courts of equity to enjoin unlawful executive action is subject to express and implied statutory
limitations. See, e.g., Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44, 74, 116 S.Ct. 1114, 134 L.Ed.2d 252 (1996). “ ‘Courts
of equity can no more disregard statutory and constitutional requirements and provisions than can courts of law.’ ” I.N.S. v.
Pangilinan, 486 U.S. 875, 883, 108 S.Ct. 2210, 100 L.Ed.2d 882 (1988) (quoting Hedges v. Dixon County, 150 U.S. 182, 192,
14 S.Ct. 71, 37 L.Ed. 1044 (1893); brackets omitted). In our view the Medicaid Act implicitly precludes private enforcement of
§ 30(A), and respondents cannot, by invoking our equitable powers, circumvent Congress's exclusion of private enforcement.
See Douglas v. Independent Living Center of Southern Cal., Inc., 565 U.S. ––––, –––– – ––––, 132 S.Ct. 1204, 1212–1213,
182 L.Ed.2d 101 (2012) (ROBERTS, C.J., dissenting).

 [15] Two aspects of § 30(A) establish Congress's “intent to foreclose” equitable relief. Verizon Md., Inc. v. Public Serv.
Comm'n of Md., 535 U.S. 635, 647, 122 S.Ct. 1753, 152 L.Ed.2d 871 (2002). First, the sole remedy Congress provided for
a State's failure to comply with Medicaid's requirements—for the State's “breach” of the Spending Clause contract—is the
withholding of Medicaid funds by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 42 U.S.C. § 1396c. As we have elsewhere
explained, the “express provision of one method of enforcing a substantive rule suggests that Congress intended to preclude
others.” Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275, 290, 121 S.Ct. 1511, 149 L.Ed.2d 517 (2001).

The provision for the Secretary's enforcement by withholding funds might not, by itself, preclude the availability of equitable
relief. See Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy v. Stewart, 563 U.S. 247, –––– – ––––, n. 3, 131 S.Ct. 1632, 1638–1639,
n. 3, 179 L.Ed.2d 675 (2011). But it does so when combined with the judicially unadministrable nature of § 30(A)'s text. It is
difficult to imagine a requirement broader and less specific than § 30(A)'s mandate that state plans provide for payments that are
“consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care,” all the while “safeguard[ing] against unnecessary utilization of ...
care and services.” Explicitly conferring enforcement of this judgment-laden standard upon the Secretary alone establishes,
we think, that Congress “wanted to make the agency remedy that it provided exclusive,” thereby achieving “the expertise,
uniformity, widespread consultation, and resulting administrative guidance that can accompany agency decisionmaking,” and
avoiding “the comparative risk of inconsistent interpretations and misincentives that can arise out of an occasional inappropriate


                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              8
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

application of the statute in a private action.” Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 292, 122 S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002)
(BREYER, J., concurring in judgment). The sheer complexity associated with enforcing § 30(A), coupled with the express
provision of an administrative remedy, § 1396c, shows that the Medicaid Act precludes private enforcement of § 30(A) in the
courts.



                                                                     B

The dissent agrees with us that the Supremacy Clause does not provide an implied right of action, and that Congress may
displace the equitable relief that is traditionally available to enforce federal *1386 law. It disagrees only with our conclusion
that such displacement has occurred here.

 [16] The dissent insists that, “because Congress is undoubtedly aware of the federal courts' long-established practice of
enjoining preempted state action, it should generally be presumed to contemplate such enforcement unless it affirmatively
manifests a contrary intent.” Post, at 1392 (emphasis added). But a “long-established practice” does not justify a rule that denies
statutory text its fairest reading. Section 30(A), fairly read in the context of the Medicaid Act, “display[s] a[n] intent to foreclose”
the availability of equitable relief. Verizon, supra, at 647, 122 S.Ct. 1753. We have no warrant to revise Congress's scheme
simply because it did not “affirmatively” preclude the availability of a judge-made action at equity. See Seminole Tribe, supra,
at 75, 116 S.Ct. 1114 (inferring, in the absence of an “affirmative” statement by Congress, that equitable relief was unavailable).

Equally unavailing is the dissent's reliance on § 30(A)'s history. Section 30(A) was amended, on December 19, 1989, to include
what the dissent calls the “equal access mandate,” post, at 1394—the requirement that reimbursement rates be “sufficient to
enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under the plan at least to the extent that such care and services
are available to the general population in the geographic area.” § 6402(a), 103 Stat. 2260. There existed at the time another
provision, known as the “Boren Amendment,” that likewise imposed broad requirements on state Medicaid plans. 42 U.S.C. §
1396a(a)(13)(A) (1982 ed., Supp. V). Lower courts had interpreted the Boren Amendment to be privately enforceable under §
1983. From this, the dissent infers that, when Congress amended § 30(A), it could not “have failed to anticipate” that § 30(A)'s
broad language—or at least that of the equal access mandate—would be interpreted as enforceable in a private action. Thus,
concludes the dissent, Congress's failure to expressly preclude the private enforcement of § 30(A) suggests it intended not to
preclude private enforcement. Post, at 1395.

 [17] This argument appears to rely on the prior-construction canon; the rule that, when “judicial interpretations have settled
the meaning of an existing statutory provision, repetition of the same language in a new statute” is presumed to incorporate that
interpretation. Bragdon v. Abbott, 524 U.S. 624, 645, 118 S.Ct. 2196, 141 L.Ed.2d 540 (1998). But that canon has no application
here. The language of the two provisions is nowhere near identical; and even if it had been, the question whether the Boren
Amendment permitted private actions was far from “settled.” When Congress amended § 30(A) in 1989, this Court had already
granted certiorari to decide, but had not yet decided, whether the Boren Amendment could be enforced through a § 1983 suit.
See Baliles v. Virginia Hospital Assn., 493 U.S. 808, 110 S.Ct. 49, 107 L.Ed.2d 18 (1989) (granting certiorari). Our decision
permitting a § 1983 action did not issue until June 14, 1990—almost six months after the amendment to § 30(A). Wilder v.
Virginia Hospital Assn., 496 U.S. 498, 110 S.Ct. 2510. * The existence of a granted petition for *1387 certiorari demonstrates
quite clearly that the question whether the Boren Amendment could be privately enforced was un settled at the time of § 30(A)'s
1989 amendment—so that if Congress was aware of the parallel (which is highly doubtful) the course that awareness would
have prompted (if any) would not have been legislative silence but rather express specification of the availability of private
enforcement (if that was what Congress intended).

*       Respondents do not claim that Wilder establishes precedent for a private cause of action in this case. They do not assert a § 1983
        action, since our later opinions plainly repudiate the ready implication of a § 1983 action that Wilder exemplified. See Gonzaga Univ.




                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                        9
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

        v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 283, 122 S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002) (expressly “reject[ing] the notion,” implicit in Wilder, “that our
        cases permit anything short of an unambiguously conferred right to support a cause of action brought under § 1983”).
Finally, the dissent speaks as though we leave these plaintiffs with no resort. That is not the case. Their relief must be sought
initially through the Secretary rather than through the courts. The dissent's complaint that the sanction available to the Secretary
(the cut-off of funding) is too massive to be a realistic source of relief seems to us mistaken. We doubt that the Secretary's
notice to a State that its compensation scheme is inadequate will be ignored.



                                                                    IV

 [18] The last possible source of a cause of action for respondents is the Medicaid Act itself. They do not claim that, and rightly
so. Section 30(A) lacks the sort of rights-creating language needed to imply a private right of action. Sandoval, supra at 286–
287, 121 S.Ct. 1511. It is phrased as a directive to the federal agency charged with approving state Medicaid plans, not as
a conferral of the right to sue upon the beneficiaries of the State's decision to participate in Medicaid. The Act says that the
“Secretary shall approve any plan which fulfills the conditions specified in subsection (a),” the subsection that includes § 30(A).
42 U.S.C. § 1396a(b). We have held that such language “reveals no congressional intent to create a private right of action.”
Sandoval, supra at 289, 121 S.Ct. 1511; see also Universities Research Assn., Inc. v. Coutu, 450 U.S. 754, 772, 101 S.Ct. 1451,
67 L.Ed.2d 662 (1981). And again, the explicitly conferred means of enforcing compliance with § 30(A) by the Secretary's
withholding funding, § 1396c, suggests that other means of enforcement are precluded, Sandoval, supra, at 290, 121 S.Ct. 1511.

 [19] [20] Spending Clause legislation like Medicaid “is much in the nature of a contract.” Pennhurst State School and
Hospital v. Halderman, 451 U.S. 1, 17, 101 S.Ct. 1531, 67 L.Ed.2d 694 (1981). The notion that respondents have a right
to sue derives, perhaps, from the fact that they are beneficiaries of the federal-state Medicaid agreement, and that intended
beneficiaries, in modern times at least, can sue to enforce the obligations of private contracting parties. See 13 R. Lord, Williston
on Contracts §§ 37:12–37.13, pp. 123–135 (4th ed.2013). We doubt, to begin with, that providers are intended beneficiaries (as
opposed to mere incidental beneficiaries) of the Medicaid agreement, which was concluded for the benefit of the infirm whom
the providers were to serve, rather than for the benefit of the providers themselves. See Pharmaceutical Research and Mfrs.
of America v. Walsh, 538 U.S. 644, 683, 123 S.Ct. 1855, 155 L.Ed.2d 889 (2003) (THOMAS, J., concurring in judgment).
More fundamentally, however, the modern jurisprudence permitting intended beneficiaries to sue does not generally apply
to contracts between a private party and the government, Astra USA, Inc. v. Santa Clara County, 563 U.S. ––––, ––––, 131
S.Ct. 1342, 1347–1348, 179 L.Ed.2d 457 (2011); see Williston, supra, at §§ 37:35–37:36, at 256–271; 9 J. Murray, Corbin
on Contracts § 45.6, p. 92 (rev. ed.2007)—much less to contracts between two governments. Our precedents establish that a
private right of action under federal law is not created by mere implication, but must *1388 be “unambiguously conferred,”
Gonzaga, 536 U.S., at 283, 122 S.Ct. 2268. Nothing in the Medicaid Act suggests that Congress meant to change that for the
commitments made under § 30(A).

***

The judgment of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is reversed.

It is so ordered.



Justice BREYER, concurring in part and concurring in the judgment.
I join Parts I, II, and III of the Court's opinion.

Like all other Members of the Court, I would not characterize the question before us in terms of a Supremacy Clause “cause of
action.” Rather, I would ask whether “federal courts may in [these] circumstances grant injunctive relief against state officers



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                    10
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

who are violating, or planning to violate, federal law.” Ante, at 1384; post, at 1391 – 1392 (SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting). I
believe the answer to this question is no.

That answer does not follow from the application of a simple, fixed legal formula separating federal statutes that may underlie
this kind of injunctive action from those that may not. “[T]he statute books are too many, the laws too diverse, and their
purposes too complex, for any single legal formula to offer” courts “more than general guidance.” Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, 536
U.S. 273, 291, 122 S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002) (BREYER, J., concurring in judgment). Rather, I believe that several
characteristics of the federal statute before us, when taken together, make clear that Congress intended to foreclose respondents
from bringing this particular action for injunctive relief.

For one thing, as the majority points out, § 30(A) of the Medicaid Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A), sets forth a federal mandate
that is broad and nonspecific. See ante, at 1385. But, more than that, § 30(A) applies its broad standards to the setting of rates.
The history of ratemaking demonstrates that administrative agencies are far better suited to this task than judges. More than a
century ago, Congress created the Interstate Commerce Commission, the first great federal regulatory rate-setting agency, and
endowed it with authority to set “reasonable” railroad rates. Ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379 (1887). It did so in part because judicial efforts
to maintain reasonable rate levels had proved inadequate. See I. Sharfman, Railway Regulation: An Analysis of the Underlying
Problems in Railway Economics from the Standpoint of Government Regulation 43–44 (1915).

Reading § 30(A) underscores the complexity and nonjudicial nature of the rate-setting task. That provision requires State
Medicaid plans to “assure that payments are consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are sufficient to enlist
enough providers” to assure “care and services” equivalent to that “available to the general population in the geographic area.”
§ 1396a(a)(30)(A). The methods that a state agency, such as Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare, uses to make this
kind of determination may involve subsidiary determinations of, for example, the actual cost of providing quality services,
including personnel and total operating expenses; changes in public expectations with respect to delivery of services; inflation;
a comparison of rates paid in neighboring States for comparable services; and a comparison of any rates paid for comparable
services in other public or private capacities. See App. to Reply to Brief in Opposition 16; Idaho Code Ann. § 56–118 (2012).

At the same time, § 30(A) applies broadly, covering reimbursements provided to approximately 1.36 million doctors, serving
 *1389 over 69 million patients across the Nation. See Dept. of Health and Human Servs., Office of Inspector General, Access
to Care: Provider Availability in Medicaid Managed Care 1, 5 (Dec.2014). And States engage in time-consuming efforts to
obtain public input on proposed plan amendments. See, e.g., Kansas Medicaid: Design and Implementation of a Public Input
and Stakeholder Consult Process (Sept. 16, 2011) (prepared by Deloitte Consulting, LLP) (describing public input on Kansas'
proposed Medicaid amendments).

I recognize that federal courts have long become accustomed to reviewing for reasonableness or constitutionality the rate-setting
determinations made by agencies. See 5 U.S.C. § 706; FPC v. Hope Natural Gas Co., 320 U.S. 591, 602–606, 64 S.Ct. 281, 88
L.Ed. 333 (1944). But this is not such an action. Instead, the lower courts here, relying on the rate-setting standard articulated
in Orthopaedic Hospital v. Belshe, 103 F.3d 1491 (C.A.9 1997), required the State to set rates that “approximate the cost of
quality care provided efficiently and economically.” Id., at 1496. See Inclusion, Inc. v. Armstrong, 835 F.Supp.2d 960, 963–
964 (D.Idaho 2011), aff'd, 567 Fed.Appx. 496 (C.A.9 2014). To find in the law a basis for courts to engage in such direct rate-
setting could set a precedent for allowing other similar actions, potentially resulting in rates set by federal judges (of whom
there are several hundred) outside the ordinary channel of federal judicial review of agency decisionmaking. The consequence,
I fear, would be increased litigation, inconsistent results, and disorderly administration of highly complex federal programs that
demand public consultation, administrative guidance and coherence for their success. I do not believe Congress intended to
allow a statute-based injunctive action that poses such risks (and that has the other features I mention).

I recognize that courts might in particular instances be able to resolve rate-related requests for injunctive relief quite easily. But
I see no easy way to separate in advance the potentially simple sheep from the more harmful rate-making goats. In any event,
this case, I fear, belongs in the latter category. See Belshe, supra, at 1496. Compare Brief for Respondents 2, n. 1 (claiming



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              11
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

that respondents seek only to enforce federally approved methodology), with Brief for United States as Amicus Curiae 5, n.
2 (the relevant methodology has not been approved). See also Idaho Code Ann. § 56–118 (describing in general terms what
appears to be a complex rate-setting methodology, while leaving unclear the extent to which Idaho is bound to use, rather than
merely consider, actual provider costs).

For another thing, like the majority, I would ask why, in the complex rate-setting area, other forms of relief are inadequate.
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services concludes that a State is failing to follow legally required federal rules, the
Secretary can withhold federal funds. See ante, at 1385 (citing 42 U.S.C. § 1396c). If withholding funds does not work, the
federal agency may be able to sue a State to compel compliance with federal rules. See Tr. of Oral Arg. 23, 52 (Solicitor General
and respondents acknowledging that the Federal Government might be able to sue a State to enjoin it from paying less than
what § 30(A) requires). Cf., e.g., Arizona v. United States, 567 U.S. ––––, 132 S.Ct. 2492, 183 L.Ed.2d 351 (2012) (allowing
similar action in another context).

Moreover, why could respondents not ask the federal agency to interpret its rules to respondents' satisfaction, to modify those
rules, to promulgate new rules or to enforce old ones? See *1390 5 U.S.C. § 553(e). Normally, when such requests are denied,
an injured party can seek judicial review of the agency's refusal on the grounds that it is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of
discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.” §§ 702, 706(2)(A). And an injured party can ask the court to “compel
agency action unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed.” §§ 702, 706(1). See also Tr. of Oral Arg. 15–16 (arguing that
providers can bring an action under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) whenever a waiver program is renewed or can
seek new agency rulemaking); Japan Whaling Assn. v. American Cetacean Soc., 478 U.S. 221, 230, n. 4, 231, 106 S.Ct. 2860,
92 L.Ed.2d 166 (1986) (APA challenge to the Secretary of Commerce's failure to act).

I recognize that the law may give the federal agency broad discretionary authority to decide when and how to exercise or to
enforce statutes and rules. See Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497, 527, 127 S.Ct. 1438, 167 L.Ed.2d 248 (2007). As a result,
it may be difficult for respondents to prevail on an APA claim unless it stems from an agency's particularly egregious failure to
act. But, if that is so, it is because Congress decided to vest broad discretion in the agency to interpret and to enforce § 30(A).
I see no reason for this Court to circumvent that congressional determination by allowing this action to proceed.



Justice SOTOMAYOR, with whom Justice KENNEDY, Justice GINSBURG, and Justice KAGAN join, dissenting.
Suits in federal court to restrain state officials from executing laws that assertedly conflict with the Constitution or with a
federal statute are not novel. To the contrary, this Court has adjudicated such requests for equitable relief since the early days
of the Republic. Nevertheless, today the Court holds that Congress has foreclosed private parties from invoking the equitable
powers of the federal courts to require States to comply with § 30(A) of the Medicaid Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A). It does
so without pointing to the sort of detailed remedial scheme we have previously deemed necessary to establish congressional
intent to preclude resort to equity. Instead, the Court relies on Congress' provision for agency enforcement of § 30(A)—an
enforcement mechanism of the sort we have already definitively determined not to foreclose private actions—and on the mere
fact that § 30(A) contains relatively broad language. As I cannot agree that these statutory provisions demonstrate the requisite
congressional intent to restrict the equitable authority of the federal courts, I respectfully dissent.



                                                                I


                                                                A

That parties may call upon the federal courts to enjoin unconstitutional government action is not subject to serious dispute.
Perhaps the most famous exposition of this principle is our decision in Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 28 S.Ct. 441, 52 L.Ed.
714 (1908), from which the doctrine derives its usual name. There, we held that the shareholders of a railroad could seek an



               © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                             12
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

injunction preventing the Minnesota attorney general from enforcing a state law setting maximum railroad rates because the
Eleventh Amendment did not provide the officials with immunity from such an action and the federal court had the “power” in
equity to “grant a temporary injunction.” Id., at 148, 28 S.Ct. 441. This Court had earlier recognized similar equitable authority
in Osborn v. Bank of United States, 9 Wheat. 738, 6 L.Ed. 204 (1824), in which a federal court issued an injunction prohibiting
an Ohio official from *1391 executing a state law taxing the Bank of the United States. Id., at 838–839. We affirmed in
relevant part, concluding that the case was “cognizable in a Court of equity,” and holding it to be “proper” to grant equitable
relief insofar as the state tax was “repugnant” to the federal law creating the national bank. Id., at 839, 859. More recently, we
confirmed the vitality of this doctrine in Free Enterprise Fund v. Public Company Accounting Oversight Bd., 561 U.S. 477,
130 S.Ct. 3138, 177 L.Ed.2d 706 (2010). There, we found no support for the argument that a challenge to “ ‘governmental
action under the Appointments Clause or separation-of-powers principles' ” should be treated “differently than every other
constitutional claim” for which “equitable relief ‘has long been recognized as the proper means for preventing entities from
acting unconstitutionally.’ ” Id., at 491, n. 2, 130 S.Ct. 3138.

A suit, like this one, that seeks relief against state officials acting pursuant to a state law allegedly preempted by a federal
statute falls comfortably within this doctrine. A claim that a state law contravenes a federal statute is “basically constitutional in
nature, deriving its force from the operation of the Supremacy Clause,” Douglas v. Seacoast Products, Inc., 431 U.S. 265, 271–
272, 97 S.Ct. 1740, 52 L.Ed.2d 304 (1977), and the application of preempted state law is therefore “unconstitutional,” Crosby
v. National Foreign Trade Council, 530 U.S. 363, 388, 120 S.Ct. 2288, 147 L.Ed.2d 352 (2000); accord, e.g., McCulloch v.
Maryland, 4 Wheat. 316, 436, 4 L.Ed. 579 (1819) (that States have “no power” to enact laws interfering with “the operations
of the constitutional laws enacted by Congress” is the “unavoidable consequence of that supremacy which the constitution
has declared”; such a state law “is unconstitutional and void”). We have thus long entertained suits in which a party seeks
prospective equitable protection from an injurious and preempted state law without regard to whether the federal statute at issue
itself provided a right to bring an action. See, e.g., Foster v. Love, 522 U.S. 67, 118 S.Ct. 464, 139 L.Ed.2d 369 (1997) (state
election law that permitted the winner of a state primary to be deemed the winner of election to Congress held preempted by
federal statute setting date of congressional elections); Shaw v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 463 U.S. 85, 103 S.Ct. 2890, 77 L.Ed.2d
490 (1983) (state law preempted in part by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974); Railroad Transfer
Service, Inc. v. Chicago, 386 U.S. 351, 87 S.Ct. 1095, 18 L.Ed.2d 143 (1967) (city ordinance imposing licensing requirements
on motor carrier transporting railroad passengers held preempted by federal Interstate Commerce Act); Campbell v. Hussey,
368 U.S. 297, 82 S.Ct. 327, 7 L.Ed.2d 299 (1961) (state law requiring labeling of certain strains of tobacco held preempted
by the federal Tobacco Inspection Act); Railway Co. v. McShane, 22 Wall. 444, 22 L.Ed. 747 (1875) (state taxation of land
possessed by railroad company held invalid under federal Act of July 2, 1864). Indeed, for this reason, we have characterized
“the availability of prospective relief of the sort awarded in Ex parte Young ” as giving “life to the Supremacy Clause.” Green
v. Mansour, 474 U.S. 64, 68, 106 S.Ct. 423, 88 L.Ed.2d 371 (1985).

Thus, even though the Court is correct that it is somewhat misleading to speak of “an implied right of action contained in the
Supremacy Clause,” ante, at 1384, that does not mean that parties may not enforce the Supremacy Clause by bringing suit to
enjoin preempted state action. As the Court also recognizes, we “have long held that federal courts may in some circumstances
grant injunctive relief against state officers who are violating, or planning *1392 to violate, federal law.” Ante, at 1384.



                                                                  B

Most important for purposes of this case is not the mere existence of this equitable authority, but the fact that it is exceedingly
well established—supported, as the Court puts it, by a “long history.” Ante, at 1384 – 1385. Congress may, if it so chooses,
either expressly or implicitly preclude Ex parte Young enforcement actions with respect to a particular statute or category of
lawsuit. See, e.g., 28 U.S.C. § 1341 (prohibiting federal judicial restraints on the collection of state taxes); Seminole Tribe of
Fla. v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44, 75–76, 116 S.Ct. 1114, 134 L.Ed.2d 252 (1996) (comprehensive alternative remedial scheme can
establish Congress' intent to foreclose Ex parte Young actions). But because Congress is undoubtedly aware of the federal courts'
long-established practice of enjoining preempted state action, it should generally be presumed to contemplate such enforcement



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              13
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

unless it affirmatively manifests a contrary intent. “Unless a statute in so many words, or by a necessary and inescapable
inference, restricts the court's jurisdiction in equity, the full scope of that jurisdiction is to be recognized and applied.” Porter
v. Warner Holding Co., 328 U.S. 395, 398, 66 S.Ct. 1086, 90 L.Ed. 1332 (1946).

In this respect, equitable preemption actions differ from suits brought by plaintiffs invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or an implied
right of action to enforce a federal statute. Suits for “redress designed to halt or prevent the constitutional violation rather
than the award of money damages” seek “traditional forms of relief.” United States v. Stanley, 483 U.S. 669, 683, 107 S.Ct.
3054, 97 L.Ed.2d 550 (1987). By contrast, a plaintiff invoking § 1983 or an implied statutory cause of action may seek a
variety of remedies—including damages—from a potentially broad range of parties. Rather than simply pointing to background
equitable principles authorizing the action that Congress presumably has not overridden, such a plaintiff must demonstrate
specific congressional intent to create a statutory right to these remedies. See Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 290, 122
S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002); Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275, 286, 121 S.Ct. 1511, 149 L.Ed.2d 517 (2001); see
also Golden State Transit Corp. v. Los Angeles, 493 U.S. 103, 114, 110 S.Ct. 444, 107 L.Ed.2d 420 (1989) (KENNEDY, J.,
dissenting) (Because a preemption claim does not seek to enforce a statutory right, “[t]he injured party does not need § 1983
to vest in him a right to assert that an attempted exercise of jurisdiction or control violates the proper distribution of powers
within the federal system”). For these reasons, the principles that we have developed to determine whether a statute creates an
implied right of action, or is enforceable through § 1983, are not transferable to the Ex parte Young context.



                                                                 II

In concluding that Congress has “implicitly preclude[d] private enforcement of § 30(A),” ante, at 1384 – 1385, the Court ignores
this critical distinction and threatens the vitality of our Ex parte Young jurisprudence. The Court identifies only a single prior
decision—Seminole Tribe—in which we have ever discerned such congressional intent to foreclose equitable enforcement of a
statutory mandate. Ante, at 1384 – 1385. Even the most cursory review of that decision reveals how far afield it is from this case.

In Seminole Tribe, the plaintiff Indian Tribe had invoked Ex parte Young in seeking to compel the State of Florida to *1393
“negotiate in good faith with [the] tribe toward the formation of a compact” governing certain gaming activities, as required by a
provision of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(3). 517 U.S., at 47, 116 S.Ct. 1114. We rejected this effort,
observing that “Congress passed § 2710(d)(3) in conjunction with the carefully crafted and intricate remedial scheme set forth
in § 2710(d)(7).” Id., at 73–74, 116 S.Ct. 1114. That latter provision allowed a tribe to sue for violations of the duty to negotiate
180 days after requesting such negotiations, but specifically limited the remedy that a court could grant to “an order directing
the State and the Indian tribe to conclude a compact within 60 days,” and provided that the only sanction for the violation of
such an order would be to require the parties to “submit a proposed compact to a mediator.” Id., at 74, 116 S.Ct. 1114; §§
2710(d)(7)(B)(i), (iii), (iv). The statute further directed that if the State should fail to abide by the mediator's selected compact,
the sole remedy would be for the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the tribe, to prescribe regulations governing
gaming. See 517 U.S., at 74–75, 116 S.Ct. 1114; § 2710(d)(7)(B)(vii). We concluded that Congress must have intended this
procedural route to be the exclusive means of enforcing § 2710(d)(3). As we explained: “If § 2710(d)(3) could be enforced in
a suit under Ex parte Young, § 2710(d)(7) would have been superfluous; it is difficult to see why an Indian tribe would suffer
through the intricate scheme of § 2710(d)(7) when more complete and more immediate relief would be available under Ex parte
Young.” 517 U.S., at 75, 116 S.Ct. 1114.

What is the equivalent “carefully crafted and intricate remedial scheme” for enforcement of § 30(A)? The Court relies on two
aspects of the Medicaid Act, but, whether considered separately or in combination, neither suffices.

First, the Court cites 42 U.S.C. § 1396c, which authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withhold
federal Medicaid payments to a State in whole or in part if the Secretary determines that the State has failed to comply with the
obligations set out in § 1396a, including § 30(A). See ante, at 1385 – 1386. But in striking contrast to the remedial provision
set out in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, § 1396c provides no specific procedure that parties actually affected by a State's



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              14
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

violation of its statutory obligations may invoke in lieu of Ex parte Young—leaving them without any other avenue for seeking
relief from the State. Nor will § 1396c always provide a particularly effective means for redressing a State's violations: If the
State has violated § 30(A) by refusing to reimburse medical providers at a level “sufficient to enlist enough providers so that
care and services are available” to Medicaid beneficiaries to the same extent as they are available to “the general population,”
agency action resulting in a reduced flow of federal funds to that State will often be self-defeating. § 1396a(30)(A); see Brief for
Former HHS Officials as Amici Curiae 18 (noting that HHS is often reluctant to initiate compliance actions because a “state's
non-compliance creates a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't scenario where the withholding of state funds will lead to
depriving the poor of essential medical assistance”). Far from rendering § 1396c “superfluous,” then, Ex parte Young actions
would seem to be an anticipated and possibly necessary supplement to this limited agency-enforcement mechanism. Seminole
Tribe, 517 U.S., at 75, 116 S.Ct. 1114. Indeed, presumably for these reasons, we recently rejected the very contention the Court
now accepts, holding that “[t]he fact that the Federal Government can exercise oversight of a federal spending program *1394
and even withhold or withdraw funds ... does not demonstrate that Congress has displayed an intent not to provide the more
complete and more immediate relief that would otherwise be available under Ex parte Young.” Virginia Office for Protection
and Advocacy v. Stewart, 563 U.S. 247, –––– – ––––, n. 3, 131 S.Ct. 1632, 1638–1639, n. 3, 179 L.Ed.2d 675 (2011) (internal
quotation marks omitted).

Section 1396c also parallels other provisions scattered throughout the Social Security Act that likewise authorize the withholding
of federal funds to States that fail to fulfill their obligations. See, e.g., §§ 609(a), 1204, 1354. Yet, we have consistently
authorized judicial enforcement of the Act. See Maine v. Thiboutot, 448 U.S. 1, 6, 100 S.Ct. 2502, 65 L.Ed.2d 555 (1980)
(collecting cases). Rosado v. Wyman, 397 U.S. 397, 90 S.Ct. 1207, 25 L.Ed.2d 442 (1970), provides a fitting illustration. There,
we considered a provision of the Social Security Act mandating that, in calculating benefits for participants in the Aid to Families
with Dependent Children Program, States make adjustments “ ‘to reflect fully changes in living costs.’ ” Id., at 412, 90 S.Ct.
1207 (quoting § 602(a)(23) (1964 ed., Supp. IV)). We expressed no hesitation in concluding that federal courts could require
compliance with this obligation, explaining: “It is ... peculiarly part of the duty of this tribunal, no less in the welfare field than
in other areas of the law, to resolve disputes as to whether federal funds allocated to the States are being expended in consonance
with the conditions that Congress has attached to their use.” Id., at 422–423, 90 S.Ct. 1207. We so held notwithstanding the
existence of an enforcement provision permitting a federal agency to “make a total or partial cutoff of federal funds.” See id.,
at 406, n. 8, 90 S.Ct. 1207 (citing § 1316).

Second, perhaps attempting to reconcile its treatment of § 1396c (2012 ed.) with this longstanding precedent, the Court focuses
on the particular language of § 30(A), contending that this provision, at least, is so “judicially unadministrable” that Congress
must have intended to preclude its enforcement in private suits. Ante, at 1385. Admittedly, the standard set out in § 30(A) is
fairly broad, requiring that a state Medicaid plan:

  “provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization of, and the payment for, care and services available under
  the plan ... as may be necessary to safeguard against unnecessary utilization of such care and services and to assure that
  payments are consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are sufficient to enlist enough providers so that
  care and services are available under the plan at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general
  population in the geographic area.” § 1396a(a)(30)(A).

But mere breadth of statutory language does not require the Court to give up all hope of judicial enforcement—or, more
important, to infer that Congress must have done so.

In fact, the contention that § 30(A)'s language was intended to foreclose private enforcement actions entirely is difficult to
square with the provision's history. The specific equal access mandate invoked by the plaintiffs in this case—that reimbursement
rates be “sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under the plan at least to the extent that
such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area”—was added to § 30(A) in 1989. 103 Stat.
2260. At that time, multiple Federal Courts of Appeals had held that the so-called Boren Amendment to the Medicaid Act was
enforceable pursuant *1395 to § 1983—as we soon thereafter concluded it was. See Wilder v. Virginia Hospital Assn., 496




                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                               15
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

U.S. 498, 504–505, 524, 110 S.Ct. 2510, 110 L.Ed.2d 455 (1990). The Boren Amendment employed language quite similar
to that used in § 30(A), requiring that a state plan:

    “provide ... for payment ... of the hospital services, nursing facility services, and services in an intermediate care facility for the
    mentally retarded provided under the plan through the use of rates ... which the State finds, and makes assurances satisfactory
    to the Secretary, are reasonable and adequate to meet the costs which must be incurred by efficiently and economically
    operated facilities in order to provide care and services in conformity with applicable State and Federal laws, regulations,
    and quality and safety standards and to assure that individuals eligible for medical assistance have reasonable access ... to
    inpatient hospital services of adequate quality.” § 1396a(a)(13)(A) (1982 ed., Supp. V).

It is hard to believe that the Congress that enacted the operative version of § 30(A) could have failed to anticipate that it might
be similarly enforceable. Even if, as the Court observes, the question whether the Boren Amendment was enforceable under §
1983 was “unsettled at the time,” ante, at 1386 (emphasis deleted), surely Congress would have spoken with far more clarity
had it actually intended to preclude private enforcement of § 30(A) through not just § 1983 but also Ex parte Young.

Of course, the broad scope of § 30(A)'s language is not irrelevant. But rather than compelling the conclusion that the provision
is wholly unenforceable by private parties, its breadth counsels in favor of interpreting § 30(A) to provide substantial leeway
to States, so that only in rare and extreme circumstances could a State actually be held to violate its mandate. The provision's
scope may also often require a court to rely on HHS, which is “comparatively expert in the statute's subject matter.” Douglas v.
Independent Living Center of Southern Cal., Inc., 565 U.S. ––––, ––––, 132 S.Ct. 1204, 1214, 182 L.Ed.2d 101 (2012). When
the agency has made a determination with respect to what legal standard should apply, or the validity of a State's procedures for
implementing its Medicaid plan, that determination should be accorded the appropriate deference. See, e.g., Chevron U.S.A.,
Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 104 S.Ct. 2778, 81 L.Ed.2d 694 (1984); Skidmore v. Swift &
Co., 323 U.S. 134, 65 S.Ct. 161, 89 L.Ed. 124 (1944). And if faced with a question that presents a special demand for agency
expertise, a court might call for the views of the agency, or refer the question to the agency under the doctrine of primary
jurisdiction. See Rosado, 397 U.S., at 406–407, 90 S.Ct. 1207; Pharmaceutical Research and Mfrs. of America v. Walsh, 538
U.S. 644, 673, 123 S.Ct. 1855, 155 L.Ed.2d 889 (2003) (BREYER, J., concurring in part and concurring in judgment). Finally,
because the authority invoked for enforcing § 30(A) is equitable in nature, a plaintiff is not entitled to relief as of right, but only
in the sound discretion of the court. See Amoco Production Co. v. Gambell, 480 U.S. 531, 542, 107 S.Ct. 1396, 94 L.Ed.2d 542
(1987). Given the courts' ability to both respect States' legitimate choices and defer to the federal agency when necessary, I see
no basis for presuming that Congress believed the Judiciary to be completely incapable of enforcing § 30(A). *

*        That is not to say that the Court of Appeals in this case necessarily applied § 30(A) correctly. Indeed, there are good reasons to think
         the court construed § 30(A) to impose an overly stringent obligation on the States. While the Ninth Circuit has understood § 30(A)
         to compel States to “rely on responsible cost studies,” and to reimburse for services at rates that “approximate the cost of quality care
         provided efficiently and economically,” Orthopaedic Hospital v. Belshe, 103 F.3d 1491, 1496 (1997), other courts have read § 30(A)
         to require only that rates be high enough to ensure that services are available to Medicaid participants. See Pennsylvania Pharmacists
         Assn. v. Houstoun, 283 F.3d 531, 538 (C.A.3 2002); Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. v. Hood, 235 F.3d 908, 928–929 (C.A.5
         2000); Methodist Hospitals, Inc. v. Sullivan, 91 F.3d 1026, 1030 (C.A.7 1996). This Court declined to grant certiorari to address
         whether the Ninth Circuit's reading of § 30(A) is correct. See 573 U.S. ––––, 135 S.Ct. 44, 189 L.Ed.2d 897 (2014). But Justice
         BREYER, in his concurrence, appears to mistake that question about the merits of the Ninth Circuit's standard for the question this
         Court actually granted certiorari to address—that is, whether § 30 is judicially enforceable at all. See ante, at 1389 – 1390 (opinion
         concurring in part and concurring in judgment). To answer that question, one need only recognize, as Justice BREYER does, that
         “federal courts have long become accustomed to reviewing for reasonableness or constitutionality the rate-setting determinations
         made by agencies.” Ante, at 1389. A private party who invokes the jurisdiction of the federal courts in order to enjoin a state agency's
         implementation of rates that are so unreasonably low as to violate § 30(A) seeks a determination of exactly this sort.
         ***
 *1396 In sum, far from identifying a “carefully crafted ... remedial scheme” demonstrating that Congress intended to foreclose
Ex parte Young enforcement of § 30(A), Seminole Tribe, 517 U.S., at 73–74, 116 S.Ct. 1114 the Court points only to two
provisions. The first is § 1396c, an agency-enforcement provision that, given our precedent, cannot preclude private actions.



                  © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                        16
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1378 (2015)
191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247...

The second is § 30(A) itself, which, while perhaps broad, cannot be understood to manifest congressional intent to preclude
judicial involvement.

The Court's error today has very real consequences. Previously, a State that set reimbursement rates so low that providers were
unwilling to furnish a covered service for those who need it could be compelled by those affected to respect the obligation
imposed by § 30(A). Now, it must suffice that a federal agency, with many programs to oversee, has authority to address such
violations through the drastic and often counterproductive measure of withholding the funds that pay for such services. Because
a faithful application of our precedents would have led to a contrary result, I respectfully dissent.


All Citations

135 S.Ct. 1378, 191 L.Ed.2d 471, 83 USLW 4231, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 305,247, 15 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 3122, 2015
Daily Journal D.A.R. 3598, 25 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 184

End of Document                                                   © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.




                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              17
F
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254



                                                       509 F.3d 697
                                               United States Court of Appeals,
                                                        Fifth Circuit.

           EQUAL ACCESS FOR EL PASO, INC.; Monica Rivero, as next friend of Kevin Rivero; Patricia
           Duarte Melendez, in her individual capacity and as next friend of Orandie Jahssar Melendez–
            Duarte; Jessilyn Nagel, as next friend of Heidi Armstrong and McKenna Armstrong; Ruth
           Gallegos, in her individual capacity and as next friend of Amber Villegas, Plaintiffs–Appellees,
                                                          v.
                     Albert HAWKINS, Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services
                    Commission, individually and in his official capacity, Defendant–Appellant.

                                              No. 06–50599.     |    Dec. 10, 2007.

Synopsis
Background: Medicaid recipients, providers and association purporting to represent interests of both such groups brought
action alleging that state health and human services commission (HHSC) set deficient Medicaid reimbursement rates in violation
of the Medicaid Act, the Supremacy Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause. The United States District Court for the Western
District of Texas, Philip R. Martinez, J., 428 F.Supp.2d 585, granted in part and denied in part HHSC's motion to dismiss.
HHSC appealed.



Holdings: The Court of Appeals, Dennis, Circuit Judge, held that:

[1] Medicaid recipients had standing to assert claim under Equal Access provision of Medicaid Act, and

[2] Medicaid Act's Equal Access provision does not confer individual private rights that are enforceable under § 1983.


Reversed and remanded.



 West Headnotes (9)


 [1]    Health      Standing
        Medicaid recipients had standing to assert claim against state Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) under
        Equal Access provision of Medicaid Act, since asserted injury of insufficient access to medical care and service was
        fairly traceable to HHSC's alleged conduct of setting Medicaid reimbursement rates too low. Social Security Act, §
        1902(a)(30)(A), 42 U.S.C.A. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).

        8 Cases that cite this headnote


 [2]    Federal Courts         Jurisdiction
        Federal Courts         Pleading
        The Court of Appeals reviews de novo the district court's disposition of a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter
        jurisdiction or for failure to state a claim. Fed.Rules Civ.Proc.Rules 12(b)(1), 12(b)(6), 28 U.S.C.A.


               © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                           1
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254


        4 Cases that cite this headnote


 [3]    Civil Rights      Nature and elements of civil actions
        Section 1983 imposes liability on anyone who, under color of state law, deprives a person of any rights, privileges,
        or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws. 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        6 Cases that cite this headnote


 [4]    Civil Rights      Rights Protected
        The § 1983 remedy encompasses violations of rights secured by federal statutory as well as constitutional law. 42
        U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        4 Cases that cite this headnote


 [5]    Civil Rights      Rights Protected
        In order to seek redress through § 1983, a plaintiff must assert the violation of a federal right, not merely a violation
        of federal law. 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        6 Cases that cite this headnote


 [6]    Civil Rights      Rights Protected
        A claim based on a statutory violation is enforceable under § 1983 only when the statute creates rights, privileges, or
        immunities in the particular plaintiff. 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        1 Cases that cite this headnote


 [7]    Civil Rights      Rights Protected
        A statutory provision fails to confer enforceable rights under § 1983 when it entirely lacks the sort of rights-creating
        language critical to showing the requisite Congressional intent to create new rights, when it speaks only in terms of
        institutional policy and practice, not individual concerns, and when it has an aggregate focus and is not concerned
        with whether the needs of any particular person have been satisfied. 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        6 Cases that cite this headnote


 [8]    Civil Rights      Rights Protected
        Once a plaintiff demonstrates that a statute confers an individual right, the right is presumptively enforceable by §
        1983. 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        2 Cases that cite this headnote


 [9]    Civil Rights      Public Services, Programs, and Benefits
        Medicaid Act's Equal Access provision does not confer individual private rights that are enforceable under § 1983.
        Social Security Act, § 1902(a)(30)(A), 42 U.S.C.A. § 1396a(a)(30)(A); 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983.

        6 Cases that cite this headnote




              © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                              2
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254




Attorneys and Law Firms

*699 Thomas Hart Watkins (argued), Brown McCarroll, Austin, TX, for Plaintiffs–Appellees.

Miguel A. Torres, El Paso, TX, for Rivero.

Rance Lamar Craft, Austin, TX, for Hawkins.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Before DENNIS, CLEMENT and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

Opinion

DENNIS, Circuit Judge:

This case requires us to determine whether, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Gonzaga University v. Doe, 536 U.S.
273, 122 S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002), Medicaid recipients in El Paso County, Texas, may bring an action under 42
U.S.C. § 1983 1 to challenge whether the methods and procedures of the Texas State Medicaid Plan (“Plan”) assure that the
payments for care and services available under the Plan are sufficient to provide them with access to medical assistance “at
least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area” as required by 42
U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A). More specifically, the question presented is whether the so-called “Equal Access” requirement of
§ 1396a(a)(30)(A) is enforceable in an action pursuant to § 1983 so as to afford declaratory and injunctive relief because the
Medicaid payment rates for the El Paso area are deficiently priced to enlist enough providers to make medical assistance under
the Plan available to the Medicaid recipients in the El Paso area at least to the extent that such care and services are available
to the general (non-Medicaid) population in that area.

1      Section 1983 provides in relevant part:
            Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of
            Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to
            the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured
            in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress ....
         42 U.S.C. § 1983.



                                     I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND


                                                                     A.

Medicaid is a cooperative federal-state program through which the federal government provides financial assistance to states
so that they may furnish medical care to needy individuals. See 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq. Although participation in the program
is voluntary, participating states must comply with certain requirements imposed by the Medicaid Act, id., and regulations
promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”). To qualify for federal assistance, a state must
submit to the Secretary and have approved a “plan for medical assistance,” § 1396a(a), that contains a comprehensive statement
describing the nature and scope of the state's Medicaid program. 42 C.F.R. § 430.10 (2007). The state plan is required to provide,
among other things, methods and procedures for the payment of care and services under the plan necessary to assure their
availability to the Medicaid population to the same extent as they are available to the general population in that geographic
area. 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).




               © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                          3
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254

Section 1396a(a)(30)(A)of the Medicaid Act sets out the requirement that Medicaid *700 recipients must be assured of “equal
access” to medical assistance with the general populace in respect to plan-specified care and services, in pertinent part, as
follows:

            A State plan for medical assistance must ... provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization
            of, and the payment for, care and services available under the plan ... as may be necessary ... to assure
            that payments ... are sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under
            the plan at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the
            geographic area ....

42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A).

The state of Texas has elected to participate in the Medicaid program and has designated the Health and Human Services
Commission (“HHSC”), of which defendant Hawkins is the commissioner, to administer its Plan. The Texas Medicaid program
is financed through a joint federal-state arrangement, in which every $1 of state funds disbursed for Medicaid is matched
by approximately $2 of federal funds. The HHSC compensates Medicaid providers through two programs: (1) the traditional
fee-for-service program; and (2) the managed care program. Under the fee-for-service program, health care professionals
are reimbursed based on fee schedules established by HHSC. These fee schedules, which assign discrete codes, and in turn
monetary values, to hundreds of different medical procedures, are in effect and consistent statewide. Under the managed care
program, HHSC administers payments to participating managed care providers, such as health maintenance organizations, using
capitation or per-head rates, which are fixed amounts paid to the participating providers on a per-member, per-month basis. The
capitation rates vary according to market medical service prices in each geographic area.



                                                                  B.

Plaintiff Equal Access for El Paso is a nonprofit corporation located in El Paso County, Texas, composed of individuals
interested in the provision of health care in the El Paso geographic area. Its purpose is to develop health care resources and
access to health care in that area. On October 24, 2003, Equal Access for El Paso, on behalf of its members, many of whom it
alleges are Medicaid recipients and health care professionals and other providers directly and adversely impacted by HHSC's
actions, and on behalf of the patients of its member health care professionals and providers, brought suit in the United States
District Court for the Western District of Texas against HHSC. 2 Also joining in this suit were several individual Medicaid
recipients residing in El Paso, who sued as individuals on their own behalf and on behalf of their respective children, as well
as three health care providers (a doctor, a hospital, and a health maintenance organization) suing on their own behalf and
on behalf of their Medicaid recipient patients/enrollees. 3 Together, these plaintiffs allege that HHSC set deficient Medicaid
reimbursement and capitation rates, resulting in inadequate access to medical services for Medicaid recipients who live in the
El Paso area as compared *701 to the rest of the State and as compared to individuals covered by private insurance in the El
Paso area. This follows, plaintiffs contend, because the inadequate reimbursement and capitation rates, when combined with
the relatively high percentage of Medicaid recipients in the El Paso area, has created a financial incentive for physicians to
relocate and practice in other communities in the State and for physicians practicing in the El Paso area to seek out patients
covered by employer-sponsored insurance.

2      Plaintiffs amended their complaint on June 24, 2004, but the named parties remain the same.
3      The district court dismissed the claims of both the individual providers and the provider members of Equal Access for El Paso,
       finding that the providers did not have a private right of action under 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(30)(A). The dismissal of those claims
       is not before this court on interlocutory appeal.
[1] In the district court, plaintiffs originally brought suit under § 1983, alleging violations of six provisions of the Medicaid
Act, the Supremacy Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. HHSC then filed a motion to



               © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                    4
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254

dismiss pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and, in the alternative,
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim. The district court denied HHSC's 12(b)(1) motion, finding
that the plaintiffs had standing, but granted its 12(b)(6) motion, dismissing all of the plaintiffs' claims with the exception of the
recipients' claim under § 1396a(a)(30)(A)' s “Equal Access” provision. The district court denied the defendant's motion with
respect to the Equal Access claim because the court determined that this particular statutory provision confers on Medicaid
recipients an individual federal right enforceable through § 1983. 4 On interlocutory appeal, HHSC contends that, in light of
the Supreme Court's decision in Gonzaga, the Equal Access provision does not create a federal right of action enforceable
through § 1983. 5

4      The district court was obliged to so decide by our prior decision in Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries Inc. v. Hood, 235 F.3d 908
       (5th Cir.2000), in which we held that the Equal Access provision of § 1396a(30)(A) gave Medicaid recipients, but not providers, a
       federal statutory right enforceable under § 1983. In view of the fact that the Supreme Court's intervening decision in Gonzaga, 536
       U.S. at 273, 122 S.Ct. 2268, may have partially overruled Evergreen, however, the district court elected to certify that question to us
       rather than to proceed immediately to determine whether declaratory and injunctive relief was appropriate.
5      HHSC also challenges on appeal the district court's determination that the Medicaid-recipient plaintiffs in this action have standing
       to assert a claim under the Equal Access provision. We agree with the district court's extensive analysis that plaintiffs' asserted injury
       —insufficient access to medical care and services—is fairly traceable to HHSC's conduct and will likely be redressed if they are
       granted the declaratory and injunctive relief that they have requested. Several courts have recognized the direct connection between
       Medicaid recipients' access to medical care and services and low reimbursement rates. See, e.g., Okla. Chapter of the Am. Acad. of
       Pediatrics v. Fogarty, 366 F.Supp.2d 1050, 1106–07 (N.D.Okla.2005); Memisovski ex rel. Memisovski v. Maram, No. 92–C–1982,
       2004 WL 1878332, at *42 (N.D.Ill. Aug.23, 2004) (unreported); Clayworth v. Bonta, 295 F.Supp.2d 1110, 1116 (E.D.Cal.2003),
       rev'd on other grounds, 140 Fed.Appx. 677 (9th Cir.2005); Clark v. Kizer, 758 F.Supp. 572, 577 (E.D.Cal.1990), aff'd in relevant
       part, Clark v. Coye, 967 F.2d 585 (9th Cir.1992); Thomas v. Johnston, 557 F.Supp. 879, 903–04 (W.D.Tex.1983). Moreover, we
       take judicial notice of the fact that HHSC has itself expressly recognized this connection in its bi-annual Consolidated Budget that it
       submitted to the Texas Legislature in October 2006, wherein it argued that “[r]ate increases for physicians would promote access to
       care for Medicaid clients that would likely erode without the increase.” TEX. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVS. COMM'N, CONSOL.
       BUDGET FINANCIAL YEAR R 2008–2009, at 54 (2006). We therefore have no difficulty concluding that the recipient plaintiffs
       have standing to assert their Equal Access provision claim.



                                                    II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

 [2] This court reviews de novo the district court's disposition of a motion to dismiss *702 under either Rule 12(b)(1) or
Rule 12(b)(6). See Bombardier Aerospace Employee Welfare Benefits Plan v. Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, 354 F.3d 348,
351 (5th Cir.2003).



                                                            III. DISCUSSION

 [3] [4] [5] “ ‘Section 1983 imposes liability on anyone who, under color of state law, deprives a person “of any rights,
privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws.” ’ ” Blessing v. Freestone, 520 U.S. 329, 340, 117 S.Ct. 1353,
137 L.Ed.2d 569 (1997) (internal quotations omitted). The § 1983 remedy encompasses violations of rights secured by federal
statutory as well as constitutional law. Maine v. Thiboutot, 448 U.S. 1, 4, 100 S.Ct. 2502, 65 L.Ed.2d 555 (1980). In order to
seek redress through § 1983, therefore, “a plaintiff must assert the violation of a federal right, not merely a violation of federal
law.” Blessing, 520 U.S. at 340, 117 S.Ct. 1353 (emphasis in original) (citing Golden State Transit Corp. v. Los Angeles, 493
U.S. 103, 106, 110 S.Ct. 444, 107 L.Ed.2d 420 (1989)).

In Gonzaga, the Supreme Court noted that some language in its prior opinions had suggested that something less than an
unambiguously conferred right is enforceable by § 1983. 536 U.S. at 282, 122 S.Ct. 2268. As an example, the Court quoted from



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                           5
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254

Blessing: “ ‘Congress must have intended that the provision in question benefit the plaintiff,’ ‘the plaintiff must demonstrate
that the right assertedly protected by the statute is not so “vague and amorphous” that its enforcement would strain judicial
competence,’ and ‘the provision giving rise to the asserted right must be couched in mandatory, rather than precatory, terms.’ ”
Id. (quoting Blessing, 520 U.S. at 340–41, 117 S.Ct. 1353). On the other hand, the Court pointed out that Blessing, in the same
paragraph, emphasized that “it is only violations of rights, not laws, which give rise to § 1983 actions.” Id. at 283, 122 S.Ct.
2268 (citing Blessing, 520 U.S. at 340, 117 S.Ct. 1353). Consequently, the Court in Gonzaga concluded that “[t]his confusion
has led some courts to interpret Blessing as allowing plaintiffs to enforce a statute under § 1983 so long as the plaintiff falls
within the general zone of interest that the statute is intended to protect ....” Id.

After reviewing its previous decisions in some detail, the Supreme Court in Gonzaga expressly rejected “the notion that our
cases permit anything short of an unambiguously conferred right to support a cause of action brought under § 1983.” Id. The
Court then declared:

    Section 1983 provides a remedy only for the deprivation of “rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution
    and laws” of the United States. Accordingly, it is rights, not the broader or vaguer “benefits” or “interests,” that may be
    enforced under the authority of that section.

Id. (emphasis in original).

 [6] Further, the Court in Gonzaga set forth some of the factors from its prior cases that are indications of Congressional intent
to make statutory provisions enforceable under § 1983. “[A] claim based on a statutory violation is enforceable under § 1983
only when the statute creates ‘rights, privileges, or immunities' in the particular plaintiff.” Id. at 285, 122 S.Ct. 2268 (quoting
Golden State Transit Corp., 493 U.S. at 108 n. 4, 110 S.Ct. 444). Such inquiries simply require a determination as to whether
Congress intended to confer individual rights upon a class of beneficiaries. Id. (citing Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275,
289, 121 S.Ct. 1511, 149 L.Ed.2d 517 (2001); *703 Wright v. Roanoke Redevelopment and Hous. Auth., 479 U.S. 418, 423,
107 S.Ct. 766, 93 L.Ed.2d 781 (1987); California v. Sierra Club, 451 U.S. 287, 294, 101 S.Ct. 1775, 68 L.Ed.2d 101 (1981)).

 [7] On the contrary, the Gonzaga Court observed, a statutory provision fails to confer enforceable rights when it “entirely
lack[s] the sort of ‘rights-creating’ language critical to showing the requisite Congressional intent to create new rights,” id. at
287, 122 S.Ct. 2268 (citing Alexander, 532 U.S. at 288–289, 121 S.Ct. 1511; Cannon v. Univ. of Chi., 441 U.S. 677, 690 n.
13, 99 S.Ct. 1946, 60 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)); when it “speak [s] only in terms of institutional policy and practice, not individual”
concerns, id. at 288, 122 S.Ct. 2268; and when it has “an ‘aggregate’ focus [and is] not concerned with ‘whether the needs of
any particular person have been satisfied,’ ” id. (citing Blessing, 520 U.S. at 343–44, 117 S.Ct. 1353).

 [8] In Gonzaga, the Court explained that plaintiffs under § 1983 do not have the burden of showing an intent to create a
private remedy because § 1983 generally supplies a remedy for the vindication of rights secured by federal statutes. Thus, once
a plaintiff demonstrates that a statute confers an individual right, the right is presumptively enforceable by § 1983. 6 Id. at
284, 122 S.Ct. 2268.

6       The Court in Gonzaga further explained that “[t]he State may rebut this presumption by showing that Congress ‘specifically foreclosed
        a remedy under § 1983.’ ” Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 285 n. 4, 122 S.Ct. 2268, 153 L.Ed.2d 309 (2002) (quoting Smith v.
        Robinson, 468 U.S. 992, 1004–05, n. 9, 104 S.Ct. 3457, 82 L.Ed.2d 746 (1984)). “The State's burden is to demonstrate that Congress
        shut the door to private enforcement either expressly, through ‘specific evidence from the statute itself,’ [Wright, 479 U.S. at 423,
        107 S.Ct. 766], or ‘impliedly, by creating a comprehensive enforcement scheme that is incompatible with individual enforcement
        under § 1983,’ [Blessing, 520 U.S. at 341, 117 S.Ct. 1353]. See also Middlesex County Sewerage Auth. v. National Sea Clammers
        Ass'n, 453 U.S. 1, 20, 101 S.Ct. 2615, 69 L.Ed.2d 435 (1981).” Id. But the Court added that these questions did not arise in Gonzaga
        due to its conclusion that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act “confers no individual rights and thus cannot give rise to
        a presumption of enforceability under § 1983.” Id.
           Similarly, in the present case, the question of whether the State of Texas may rebut such a presumption does not arise due to our
           conclusion that the Equal Access provision confers no individual right within the context of this case enforceable under § 1983.



                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                       6
Equal Access for El Paso, Inc. v. Hawkins, 509 F.3d 697 (2007)
Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254

 [9] Applying the foregoing principles, we conclude that the Medicaid Act's Equal Access provision, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)
(30)(A), does not confer individual private rights that are enforceable under § 1983. The provision does not contain sufficient
“rights-creating” language critical to showing unambiguously the requisite Congressional intent to create individualized rights
for Medicaid recipients and health care providers. Even when read in the context of the entire statute, the Equal Access provision
does not create rights for individuals or an identifiable class. It speaks only to the state and the Secretary in their functions
of proposing and approving a state plan calculated to “enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under
the plan at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area.” §
1396a(a)(30)(A). Thus, like the provisions at issue in Gonzaga and Blessing, the Equal Access provision speaks only in terms
of institutional policy and practice, has an “aggregate” rather than an individualized focus, and is not concerned with whether
the needs of any particular person or class of individuals have been satisfied. It therefore does not create a private individual
right enforceable under § 1983.

 *704 Before Gonzaga, we held in Evergreen, 235 F.3d 908, 927–29 (5th Cir.2000), that Medicaid recipients, but not providers,
may bring actions under § 1983 to enforce the Equal Access provision against a state administrator of a Medicaid state plan.
It is evident, however, that the Supreme Court in Gonzaga abrogated Evergreen in respect to such suits by recipients while
confirming it insofar as it disallows § 1983 actions by providers under the Equal Access provision.

We may no longer, as we did in Evergreen, resolve the ambiguities in Blessing, Wilder, and the Equal Access provision in favor
of finding a Congressional intent to authorize Medicaid recipients to bring Equal Access provision suits under § 1983. We are
forced by Gonzaga to abjure the notion that anything short of an unambiguously conferred private individual “right,” rather than
the broader or vaguer “benefits” or “interests,” may be enforced under § 1983. Accordingly, we may not follow Evergreen's
essential inference that, because Congress's aim in the Medicaid Act was to protect the interests of health care recipients as its
primary, ultimate beneficiaries, Congress necessarily meant for recipients to enforce the Equal Access provision in private suits
under § 1983. The Equal Access provision has a clearly aggregate and systemic focus that deals with institutional policy and
procedures, rather than an individualized focus concerned with whether the needs of any particular person or class of recipients
have been satisfied. Consequently, we conclude that the Equal Access provision, which plausibly invests the Secretary with the
exclusive power and duty of carrying it into effect, does not necessarily or unambiguously create, in addition, private rights in
recipients to enforce Equal Access by individual or class suits under § 1983. Accord Mandy R. v. Owens, 464 F.3d 1139, 1148
(10th Cir.2006); Westside Mothers v. Olszewski, 454 F.3d 532, 542–43 (6th Cir.2006); Sanchez v. Johnson, 416 F.3d 1051,
1059–61 (9th Cir.2005); Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance v. Ferguson, 362 F.3d 50, 57 (1st Cir.2004). Contra Pediatric
Specialty Care, Inc. v. Ark. Dep't of Human Servs., 443 F.3d 1005, 1014–16 (8th Cir.2006), vacated on other grounds, Selig v.
Pediatric Specialty Care, Inc., 551 U.S. 1142, 127 S.Ct. 3000, 168 L.Ed.2d 724 (2007).



                                                      IV. CONCLUSION

For these reasons, the district court's judgment partially denying the defendant's motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' Equal Access
provision claim under § 1983 is REVERSED and the case is REMANDED to the district court with directions to enter a
judgment dismissing all claims with prejudice.


All Citations

509 F.3d 697, Med & Med GD (CCH) P 302,254

End of Document                                                     © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.




                © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.                                                  7
G
    CONFERENCE
  COMMITTEE REPORT
        3RD Printing




       H.B. NO. 1
GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS
         BILL
                                                          TABLE OF CONTENTS


RECAPITULATION - ALL ARTICLES ............................................................................................. ix

ARTICLE I - GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Arts, Commission on the....................................................................................................................... I-1
Attorney General, Office of the ............................................................................................................ I-3
Bond Review Board ............................................................................................................................ I-12
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas............................................................................ I-13
Comptroller of Public Accounts ......................................................................................................... I-16
Fiscal Programs - Comptroller of Public Accounts ............................................................................ I-22
     Informational Listing of Funds Appropriated to the Comptroller for Social Security BRP ....... I-27
Emergency Communications, Commission on State .......................................................................... I-28
Emergency Services Retirement System, Texas ................................................................................. I-31
Employees Retirement System ........................................................................................................... I-32
Ethics Commission, Texas .................................................................................................................. I-36
Facilities Commission......................................................................................................................... I-38
Finance Authority, Public ................................................................................................................... I-46
Governor, Office of the ....................................................................................................................... I-51
Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor........................................................................ I-52
Historical Commission........................................................................................................................ I-61
Information Resources, Department of ............................................................................................... I-66
Library & Archives Commission ........................................................................................................ I-72
Pension Review Board ........................................................................................................................ I-76
Preservation Board .............................................................................................................................. I-77
Risk Management, State Office of ...................................................................................................... I-80
Secretary of State ................................................................................................................................ I-82
Veterans Commission ......................................................................................................................... I-85
Retirement and Group Insurance ..................................................................................................... ...I-89
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay .................................................................................... I-90
Bond Debt Service Payments.............................................................................................................. I-90
Lease Payments ................................................................................................................................... I-91
Recapitulation - Article I - General Revenue...................................................................................... I-92
Recapitulation - Article I - General Revenue - Dedicated .................................................................. I-93
Recapitulation - Article I - Federal Funds .......................................................................................... I-94
Recapitulation - Article I - Other Funds ............................................................................................. I-95
Recapitulation - Article I - All Funds ................................................................................................. I-96

ARTICLE II - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Aging and Disability Services, Department of .................................................................................... II-1
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Department of ....................................................................... II-18
Family and Protective Services, Department of................................................................................. II-30
State Health Services, Department of ................................................................................................ II-47
Health and Human Services Commission .......................................................................................... II-76
Retirement and Group Insurance ..................................................................................................... II-107
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................. II-108
Bond Debt Service Payments........................................................................................................... II-108
Lease Payments ................................................................................................................................ II-109
Special Provisions Relating to All Health and Human Services Agencies ...................................... II-109
Recapitulation - Article II - General Revenue ................................................................................. II-135
Recapitulation - Article II - General Revenue - Dedicated .............................................................. II-136
Recapitulation - Article II - Federal Funds ...................................................................................... II-137
Recapitulation - Article II - Other Funds ......................................................................................... II-138
Recapitulation - Article II - All Funds ............................................................................................. II-139

ARTICLE III - EDUCATION

Education Agency, Texas ................................................................................................................... III-1
Blind and Visually Impaired, School for the .................................................................................... III-21
Deaf, School for the .......................................................................................................................... III-25
Special Provisions for the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired /
School for the Deaf ........................................................................................................................... III-27
Teacher Retirement System .............................................................................................................. III-28
Optional Retirement Program ........................................................................................................... III-33
Group Insurance Contributions, Higher Education Employees ........................................................ III-34
Higher Education Coordinating Board ............................................................................................. III-39
Higher Education Fund ..................................................................................................................... III-56
The University of Texas System Administration .............................................................................. III-56
Available University Fund ................................................................................................................ III-58
                                                                             i
                                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                  (Continued)

Available National Research University Fund.................................................................................. III-61
Permanent Fund Supporting Military and Veterans Exemptions ..................................................... III-62
The University of Texas at Arlington ............................................................................................... III-62
The University of Texas at Austin .................................................................................................... III-65
The University of Texas at Dallas..................................................................................................... III-69
The University of Texas at El Paso................................................................................................... III-71
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley................................................................................. III-74
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ................................................................................. III-78
The University of Texas at San Antonio........................................................................................... III-80
The University of Texas at Tyler ...................................................................................................... III-83
Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices .............................................. III-85
Texas A&M University..................................................................................................................... III-86
Texas A&M University at Galveston................................................................................................ III-88
Prairie View A&M University .......................................................................................................... III-90
Tarleton State University .................................................................................................................. III-93
Texas A&M University - Central Texas ........................................................................................... III-95
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi .......................................................................................... III-97
Texas A&M University - Kingsville............................................................................................... III-100
Texas A&M University – San Antonio........................................................................................... III-102
Texas A&M International University ............................................................................................. III-104
West Texas A&M University ......................................................................................................... III-106
Texas A&M University - Commerce .............................................................................................. III-109
Texas A&M University - Texarkana .............................................................................................. III-111
University of Houston System Administration ............................................................................... III-113
University of Houston ..................................................................................................................... III-115
University of Houston - Clear Lake ................................................................................................ III-117
University of Houston - Downtown ................................................................................................ III-119
University of Houston - Victoria .................................................................................................... III-121
Midwestern State University........................................................................................................... III-122
University of North Texas System Administration......................................................................... III-125
University of North Texas .............................................................................................................. III-126
University of North Texas at Dallas ............................................................................................... III-128
Stephen F. Austin State University ................................................................................................. III-130
Texas Southern University .............................................................................................................. III-132
Texas Tech University System Administration .............................................................................. III-135
Texas Tech University .................................................................................................................... III-136
Angelo State University .................................................................................................................. III-138
Texas Woman’s University............................................................................................................. III-140
Texas State University System ....................................................................................................... III-143
Lamar University ............................................................................................................................ III-144
Lamar Institute of Technology........................................................................................................ III-146
Lamar State College - Orange ......................................................................................................... III-148
Lamar State College - Port Arthur .................................................................................................. III-150
Sam Houston State University ........................................................................................................ III-151
Texas State University .................................................................................................................... III-154
Sul Ross State University................................................................................................................ III-156
Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College ............................................................................... III-158
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ................................................................. III-160
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston .................................................................. III-163
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston........................................................... III-167
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio .................................................... III-171
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center ............................................................... III-175
The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler ............................................................................. III-179
Texas A&M University System Health Science Center ................................................................. III-182
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth ................................................... III-187
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center .............................................................................. III-191
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso ............................................................. III-194
Public Community/Junior Colleges ................................................................................................ III-198
Texas State Technical College System Administration .................................................................. III-207
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen..................................................................................... III-210
Texas State Technical College - West Texas .................................................................................. III-211
Texas State Technical College - Marshall ...................................................................................... III-213
Texas State Technical College - Waco ........................................................................................... III-214
Special Provisions Relating Only to Components of Texas State Technical College .................... III-216
Texas A&M Agrilife Research ....................................................................................................... III-218
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service ......................................................................................... III-221
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station ................................................................................ III-224
Texas A&M Transportation Institute .............................................................................................. III-226
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service .................................................................................. III-229
Texas A&M Forest Service ............................................................................................................ III-231
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory ............................................................... III-234

                                                                           ii
                                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                   (Continued)

Retirement and Group Insurance .................................................................................................... III-236
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................ III-237
Bond Debt Service Payments.......................................................................................................... III-237
Lease Payments ............................................................................................................................... III-238
Special Provisions Relating Only to State Agencies of Higher Education ..................................... III-238
Recapitulation - Article III - General Revenue ............................................................................... III-262
Recapitulation - Article III - General Revenue - Dedicated ........................................................... III-264
Recapitulation - Article III - Federal Funds .................................................................................... III-266
Recapitulation - Article III - Other Funds ....................................................................................... III-267
Recapitulation - Article III - All Funds........................................................................................... III-268

ARTICLE IV - THE JUDICIARY

Supreme Court of Texas .................................................................................................................... IV-1
Court of Criminal Appeals ................................................................................................................. IV-3
First Court of Appeals District, Houston ........................................................................................... IV-6
Second Court of Appeals District, Fort Worth .................................................................................. IV-8
Third Court of Appeals District, Austin............................................................................................. IV-9
Fourth Court of Appeals District, San Antonio ............................................................................... IV-10
Fifth Court of Appeals District, Dallas ............................................................................................ IV-11
Sixth Court of Appeals District, Texarkana ..................................................................................... IV-12
Seventh Court of Appeals District, Amarillo ................................................................................... IV-13
Eighth Court of Appeals District, El Paso ....................................................................................... IV-14
Ninth Court of Appeals District, Beaumont..................................................................................... IV-16
Tenth Court of Appeals District, Waco ........................................................................................... IV-17
Eleventh Court of Appeals District, Eastland .................................................................................. IV-18
Twelfth Court of Appeals District, Tyler ......................................................................................... IV-19
Thirteenth Court of Appeals District, Corpus Christi - Edinburg .................................................... IV-20
Fourteenth Court of Appeals District, Houston ............................................................................... IV-21
Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council ................................................................. IV-22
Office of Capital Writs..................................................................................................................... IV-28
State Prosecuting Attorney, Office of the ........................................................................................ IV-29
State Law Library ............................................................................................................................ IV-30
Commission on Judicial Conduct, State .......................................................................................... IV-32
Judiciary Section, Comptroller’s Department .................................................................................. IV-33
Retirement and Group Insurance ..................................................................................................... IV-37
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................. IV-38
Lease Payments ................................................................................................................................ IV-38
Special Provisions - Judiciary .......................................................................................................... IV-39
Recapitulation - Article IV - General Revenue ................................................................................ IV-40
Recapitulation - Article IV - General Revenue - Dedicated ............................................................ IV-41
Recapitulation - Article IV - Federal Funds..................................................................................... IV-42
Recapitulation - Article IV - Other Funds ....................................................................................... IV-43
Recapitulation - Article IV - All Funds ........................................................................................... IV-44

ARTICLE V - PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alcoholic Beverage Commission......................................................................................................... V-1
Criminal Justice, Department of .......................................................................................................... V-4
Fire Protection, Commission on......................................................................................................... V-21
Jail Standards, Commission on .......................................................................................................... V-23
Juvenile Justice Department............................................................................................................... V-24
Law Enforcement, Commission on.................................................................................................... V-36
Military Department........................................................................................................................... V-39
Public Safety, Department of ............................................................................................................. V-44
Retirement and Group Insurance ....................................................................................................... V-60
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................... V-60
Bond Debt Service Payments............................................................................................................. V-61
Lease Payments .................................................................................................................................. V-61
Special Provisions Relating to Public Safety and Criminal Justice Agencies ................................... V-61
Recapitulation - Article V - General Revenue ................................................................................... V-62
Recapitulation - Article V - General Revenue - Dedicated................................................................ V-63
Recapitulation - Article V - Federal Funds ........................................................................................ V-64
Recapitulation - Article V - Other Funds ........................................................................................... V-65
Recapitulation - Article V - All Funds ............................................................................................... V-66

ARTICLE VI - NATURAL RESOURCES

Agriculture, Department of ................................................................................................................ VI-1
Animal Health Commission ............................................................................................................. VI-10
Commission on Environmental Quality........................................................................................... VI-13

                                                                           iii
                                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                  (Continued)

General Land Office and Veterans’ Land Board ............................................................................. VI-24
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission ..................................................... VI-30
Parks and Wildlife Department ........................................................................................................ VI-32
Railroad Commission....................................................................................................................... VI-45
Soil and Water Conservation Board................................................................................................. VI-50
Water Development Board .............................................................................................................. VI-53
Retirement and Group Insurance ..................................................................................................... VI-61
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................. VI-62
Bond Debt Service Payments........................................................................................................... VI-62
Lease Payments ................................................................................................................................ VI-62
Recapitulation - Article VI - General Revenue ................................................................................ VI-64
Recapitulation - Article VI - General Revenue - Dedicated ............................................................ VI-65
Recapitulation - Article VI - Federal Funds..................................................................................... VI-66
Recapitulation - Article VI - Other Funds ....................................................................................... VI-67
Recapitulation - Article VI - All Funds ........................................................................................... VI-68

ARTICLE VII - BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Housing and Community Affairs, Department of ............................................................................. VII-1
Lottery Commission, Texas .............................................................................................................. VII-7
Motor Vehicles, Department of ...................................................................................................... VII-11
Transportation, Department of ........................................................................................................ VII-14
Workforce Commission, Texas....................................................................................................... VII-31
     Reimbursements to the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Account .............................. VII-45
Retirement and Group Insurance .................................................................................................... VII-46
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ................................................................................ VII-47
Bond Debt Service Payments.......................................................................................................... VII-47
Lease Payments ............................................................................................................................... VII-47
Recapitulation - Article VII - General Revenue ............................................................................. VII-49
Recapitulation - Article VII - General Revenue - Dedicated .......................................................... VII-50
Recapitulation - Article VII - Federal Funds .................................................................................. VII-51
Recapitulation - Article VII - Other Funds ..................................................................................... VII-52
Recapitulation - Article VII - All Funds ......................................................................................... VII-53

ARTICLE VIII - REGULATORY

Administrative Hearings, State Office of......................................................................................... VIII-1
Chiropractic Examiners, Board of ................................................................................................... VIII-5
Dental Examiners, Texas State Board of ......................................................................................... VIII-7
Funeral Service Commission ........................................................................................................... VIII-9
Geoscientists, Board of Professional ............................................................................................. VIII-11
Health Professions Council ............................................................................................................ VIII-13
Injured Employee Counsel, Office of ............................................................................................ VIII-14
Insurance, Department of ............................................................................................................... VIII-16
Insurance Counsel, Office of Public .............................................................................................. VIII-24
Land Surveying, Board of Professional ......................................................................................... VIII-26
Licensing and Regulation, Department of ..................................................................................... VIII-27
Texas Medical Board ..................................................................................................................... VIII-32
Nursing, Texas Board of ................................................................................................................ VIII-36
Optometry Board ........................................................................................................................... VIII-39
Pharmacy, Board of ....................................................................................................................... VIII-40
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners, Executive Council of ............................. VIII-43
Plumbing Examiners, Board of ...................................................................................................... VIII-45
Podiatric Medical Examiners, Board of ......................................................................................... VIII-46
Psychologists, Board of Examiners of ........................................................................................... VIII-48
Racing Commission ....................................................................................................................... VIII-49
Securities Board ............................................................................................................................. VIII-53
Utility Commission of Texas, Public ............................................................................................. VIII-55
Utility Counsel, Office of Public ................................................................................................... VIII-59
Veterinary Medical Examiners, Board of ...................................................................................... VIII-60
Retirement and Group Insurance ................................................................................................... VIII-62
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ............................................................................... VIII-63
Lease Payments .............................................................................................................................. VIII-63
Special Provisions Relating to All Regulatory Agencies ............................................................... VIII-63
Recapitulation - Article VIII - General Revenue ........................................................................... VIII-67
Recapitulation - Article VIII - General Revenue - Dedicated........................................................ VIII-68
Recapitulation - Article VIII - Federal Funds ................................................................................ VIII-69
Recapitulation - Article VIII - Other Funds ................................................................................... VIII-70
Recapitulation - Article VIII - All Funds ....................................................................................... VIII-71



                                                                           iv
                                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                (Continued)

ARTICLE IX - GENERAL PROVISIONS

GENERAL PROVISIONS LEGISLATIVE INTENT ...................................................................... IX-1
   Sec. 1.01. Limitations ............................................................................................................... IX-1

PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLAN ................................ IX-1
   Sec. 2.01. Position Classification Plan...................................................................................... IX-1
              Classified Positions for the 2016-17 Biennium........................................................ IX-1
              Schedule A Classification Salary Schedule ........................................................... IX-17
              Schedule B Classification Salary Schedule ............................................................ IX-17
              Schedule C Classification Salary Schedule ............................................................ IX-18

SALARY ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS ......................... IX-18
   Sec. 3.01. Salary Rates............................................................................................................ IX-18
   Sec. 3.02. Salary Supplementation ......................................................................................... IX-19
   Sec. 3.03. Salary Limits .......................................................................................................... IX-19
   Sec. 3.04. Scheduled Exempt Positions. ................................................................................. IX-19
   Sec. 3.05. Evening, Night, Weekend Shift Pay: Registered Nurses and Licensed
              Vocational Nurses .................................................................................................. IX-21
   Sec. 3.06. Recruitment and Retention Bonuses ...................................................................... IX-21
   Sec. 3.07. Equity Adjustments ................................................................................................ IX-21
   Sec. 3.08. Classification Study on Scheduled Exempt Positions ............................................ IX-22
   Sec. 3.09. Method of Salary Payments ................................................................................... IX-22
   Sec. 3.10. Exception - Contracts Less than 12 Months........................................................... IX-22
   Sec. 3.11. Exceptions for Certain Employees ......................................................................... IX-22
   Sec. 3.12. Exceptions for Salary Schedule C .......................................................................... IX-22
   Sec. 3.13. Matching Retirement and Certain Insurance .......................................................... IX-22

GRANT-MAKING PROVISIONS.................................................................................................. IX-23
   Sec. 4.01. Grant Restriction .................................................................................................... IX-23
   Sec. 4.02. Grants ..................................................................................................................... IX-23
   Sec. 4.03. Grants for Political Polling Prohibited ................................................................... IX-23
   Sec. 4.04. Limitation on Grants to Units of Local Government ............................................. IX-23

TRAVEL REGULATIONS ............................................................................................................. IX-24
   Sec. 5.01. Travel Definitions. ................................................................................................. IX-24
   Sec. 5.02. General Travel Provisions ...................................................................................... IX-24
   Sec. 5.03. Transportation Expenses ........................................................................................ IX-24
   Sec. 5.04. Transportation in Personally Owned or Leased Aircraft........................................ IX-24
   Sec. 5.05. Travel Meals and Lodging Expenses ..................................................................... IX-24
   Sec. 5.06. Special Provisions Regarding Travel Expenses ..................................................... IX-25
   Sec. 5.07. Travel and Per Diem of Board or Commission Members ...................................... IX-25
   Sec. 5.08. Travel of Advisory Committee Members .............................................................. IX-25

GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON EXPENDITURES ....................................................................... IX-26
   Sec. 6.01. Unexpended Balance .............................................................................................. IX-26
   Sec. 6.02. Interpretation of Estimates ..................................................................................... IX-26
   Sec. 6.03. Excess Obligations Prohibited ............................................................................... IX-26
   Sec. 6.04. Interpretation of Legislative Intent......................................................................... IX-26
   Sec. 6.05. Comptroller’s Duty to Pay ..................................................................................... IX-27
   Sec. 6.06. Last Quarter Expenditures...................................................................................... IX-27
   Sec. 6.07. Employee Benefit and Debt Service Items ............................................................ IX-27
   Sec. 6.08. Benefits Paid Proportional by Fund ....................................................................... IX-27
   Sec. 6.09. Appropriations from Special Funds ....................................................................... IX-28
   Sec. 6.10. Limitation on State Employment Levels ................................................................ IX-28
   Sec. 6.11. Purchases of Postage .............................................................................................. IX-31
   Sec. 6.12. Expenditures for State-Federal Relations............................................................... IX-31
   Sec. 6.13. Performance Rewards and Penalties ...................................................................... IX-31
   Sec. 6.14. Bookkeeping Entries .............................................................................................. IX-32
   Sec. 6.15. Accounting for State Expenditures ........................................................................ IX-32
   Sec. 6.16. Fee Increase Notification ....................................................................................... IX-32
   Sec. 6.17. Consolidated Funds ................................................................................................ IX-32
   Sec. 6.18. Demographic and Statistical Studies ...................................................................... IX-32
   Sec. 6.19. Cost Allocations ..................................................................................................... IX-33
   Sec. 6.20. Use of Appropriations to Contract for Audits ........................................................ IX-33
   Sec. 6.21. Limitations on Use of Appropriated Funds ............................................................ IX-33
   Sec. 6.22. Informational Items ................................................................................................ IX-33
   Sec. 6.23. Appropriations from State Tax Revenue ................................................................ IX-33
   Sec. 6.24. Deposit and Notification Requirement for Certain RESTORE Act Funds ............ IX-33



                                                                         v
                                                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                               (Continued)

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... IX-34
   Sec. 7.01. Budgeting and Reporting ....................................................................................... IX-34
   Sec. 7.02. Annual Reports and Inventories ............................................................................. IX-35
   Sec. 7.03. Notification to Members of the Legislature ........................................................... IX-35
   Sec. 7.04. Contract Notification: Amounts Greater than $50,000 .......................................... IX-35
   Sec. 7.05. Reports and References .......................................................................................... IX-35
   Sec. 7.06. Internal Assessments on Utilization of Historically Underutilized
              Businesses .............................................................................................................. IX-36
   Sec. 7.07. Historically Underutilized Business Policy Compliance ....................................... IX-36
   Sec. 7.08. Reporting of Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Key Measures ............. IX-36
   Sec. 7.09. Fraud Reporting ..................................................................................................... IX-37
   Sec. 7.10. Reporting Requirement for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Funds ........................... IX-37
   Sec. 7.11. Border Security ...................................................................................................... IX-37
   Sec. 7.12. Notification of Certain Purchases or Contract Awards, Amendments,
              and Extensions ....................................................................................................... IX-38
   Sec. 7.13. Notification of Certain Expenditures Related to Mitigation of
              Adverse Environmental Impacts ............................................................................ IX-40

OTHER APPROPRIATION AUTHORITY ................................................................................... IX-40
   Sec. 8.01. Acceptance of Gifts of Money ............................................................................... IX-40
   Sec. 8.02. Reimbursements and Payments.............................................................................. IX-40
   Sec. 8.03. Surplus Property ..................................................................................................... IX-41
   Sec. 8.04. Refunds of Deposits ............................................................................................... IX-42
   Sec. 8.05. Vending Machines ................................................................................................. IX-42
   Sec. 8.06. Pay Station Telephones .......................................................................................... IX-42
   Sec. 8.07. Appropriation of Collections for Seminars and Conferences ................................ IX-42
   Sec. 8.08. Appropriation of Bond Proceeds ............................................................................ IX-43
   Sec. 8.09. CMIA Interest Payments ........................................................................................ IX-43
   Sec. 8.10. Appropriation of Receipts: Credit, Charge, Debit Card, or Electronic
              Cost Recovery Service Fees ................................................................................... IX-43
   Sec. 8.11. Employee Meal Authorization ............................................................................... IX-43
   Sec. 8.12. Bank Fees and Charges .......................................................................................... IX-43
   Sec. 8.13. Appropriation of Specialty License Plate Receipts ................................................ IX-43
   Sec. 8.14. Cost Recovery of Testing Fees............................................................................... IX-43
   Sec. 8.15. Cost Recovery of Fees ........................................................................................... IX-44

INFORMATION RESOURCES PROVISIONS ............................................................................. IX-44
    Sec. 9.01. Purchases of Information Resources Technologies................................................ IX-44
    Sec. 9.02. Quality Assurance Review of Major Information Resources Projects................... IX-44
    Sec. 9.03. Biennial Operating Plan and Information Resources Strategic Plan
               Approval................................................................................................................. IX-45
    Sec. 9.04. Information Technology Replacement ................................................................... IX-45
    Sec. 9.05. Texas.gov Project: Occupational Licenses............................................................. IX-46
    Sec. 9.06. Texas.gov Project: Cost Recovery Fees ................................................................. IX-46
    Sec. 9.07. Payments to the Department of Information Resources......................................... IX-46
    Sec. 9.08. Computer Inventory Report ................................................................................... IX-47
    Sec. 9.09. Server Consolidation Status Update....................................................................... IX-47
    Sec. 9.10. Prioritization of Cybersecurity and Legacy System Projects ................................. IX-48
    Sec. 9.11. Cybersecurity Initiatives ........................................................................................ IX-48
    Sec. 9.12. Surplus Information Technology Hardware ........................................................... IX-49

HEALTH-RELATED PROVISIONS.............................................................................................. IX-49
   Sec. 10.01. Full Application for Health Coverage ............................................................... IX-49
   Sec. 10.02. Appropriation of Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments to
               State - Owned Hospitals .................................................................................... IX-49
   Sec. 10.03. Informational Listing on Use of Tobacco Settlement Receipts ........................ IX-49
   Sec. 10.04. Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan and Coordinated
               Expenditures ...................................................................................................... IX-51
   Sec. 10.05. Funding for Autism Services ............................................................................ IX-53

PROVISIONS RELATED TO REAL PROPERTY ........................................................................ IX-54
   Sec. 11.01. Limitation on Use of Funds for Personal Residences ....................................... IX-54
   Sec. 11.02. Reporting Related to State Owned Housing ..................................................... IX-54
   Sec. 11.03. Statewide Capital Planning ............................................................................... IX-54
   Sec. 11.04. Efficient Use of State Owned and Leased Space .............................................. IX-55
   Sec. 11.05. State Agency Emergency Leases ...................................................................... IX-55
   Sec. 11.06. Prepayment of Annual Lease Costs................................................................... IX-56
   Sec. 11.07. Efficient Use of State Property to House State Facilities .................................. IX-56




                                                                       vi
                                                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                               (Continued)

PROVISIONS RELATED TO PROPERTY ................................................................................... IX-56
   Sec. 12.01. Aircraft .............................................................................................................. IX-56
   Sec. 12.02. Publication or Sale of Printed, Recorded, or Electronically Produced
               Matter or Records .............................................................................................. IX-57
   Sec. 12.03. Limitation on Expenditures for Purchases and Conversions of
               Alternative Fuel Vehicles .................................................................................. IX-57
   Sec. 12.04. Transfer of Master Lease Purchase Program Payments .................................... IX-57

FEDERAL FUNDS ......................................................................................................................... IX-58
   Sec. 13.01. Federal Funds/Block Grants .............................................................................. IX-58
   Sec. 13.02. Report of Additional Funding ........................................................................... IX-58
   Sec. 13.03. Report of Expanded Operational Capacity ........................................................ IX-58
   Sec. 13.04. Reports to Comptroller ...................................................................................... IX-58
   Sec. 13.05. Deposit and Expenditure Limitations ................................................................ IX-58
   Sec. 13.06. Reimbursements from Federal Funds................................................................ IX-59
   Sec. 13.07. Limitations on Positions .................................................................................... IX-59
   Sec. 13.08. Funding Reductions........................................................................................... IX-59
   Sec. 13.09. Unexpended Balances ....................................................................................... IX-59
   Sec. 13.10. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
               or Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) ............................................................ IX-59
   Sec. 13.11. Definition, Appropriation, Reporting and Audit of
               Earned Federal Funds ........................................................................................ IX-60
   Sec. 13.12. Reporting of Federal Homeland Security Funding ........................................... IX-62

AGENCY DISCRETIONARY TRANSFER PROVISIONS ......................................................... IX-62
   Sec. 14.01. Appropriation Transfers .................................................................................... IX-62
   Sec. 14.02. Transfers for Contract Services ......................................................................... IX-63
   Sec. 14.03. Limitation on Expenditures – Capital Budget ................................................... IX-63
   Sec. 14.04. Disaster Related Transfer Authority.................................................................. IX-65
   Sec. 14.05. Unexpended Balance Authority Between Fiscal Years within
               The Same Biennium .......................................................................................... IX-66

AGENCY NON-DISCRETIONARY TRANSFER PROVISIONS ................................................ IX-67
   Sec. 15.01. Reimbursements for Unemployment Benefits .................................................. IX-67
   Sec. 15.02. Payments to the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) ............................ IX-68
   Sec. 15.03. Contingency Appropriation Reduction ............................................................. IX-69
   Sec. 15.04. Appropriation Transfers: Billings for Statewide Allocated Costs ..................... IX-70

LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND JUDGMENTS PROVISIONS .............................................. IX-70
   Sec. 16.01. Court Representation and Outside Legal Counsel............................................. IX-70
   Sec. 16.02. Contingent Fee Contract for Legal Services ..................................................... IX-71
   Sec. 16.03. Proceeds of Litigation ....................................................................................... IX-72
   Sec. 16.04. Judgments and Settlements ............................................................................... IX-72
   Sec. 16.05. Incidents Report: State Supported Living Centers
               and State Hospitals ............................................................................................ IX-74
   Sec. 16.06. Professional and Legal Services ........................................................................ IX-74

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ................................................................................................ IX-74
    Sec. 17.01. Contingency Rider............................................................................................. IX-74
    Sec. 17.02. Limitation on Substitution of General Obligation Bond
                Funded Projects ................................................................................................. IX-74
    Sec. 17.03. Interagency Contract to Coordinate Use of PARIS Data to Assist
                Veterans and Achieve Savings for State ........................................................... IX-74
    Sec. 17.04. Payroll Contribution for Group Health Insurance ............................................. IX-75
    Sec. 17.05. Appropriation for Salary Increases for Certain State Employees
                in Salary Schedule C ......................................................................................... IX-75
    Sec. 17.06. Veterans Services at Other State Agencies ....................................................... IX-76
    Sec. 17.07. Agency Coordination for Youth Prevention and Intervention Services ............ IX-76
    Sec. 17.08. Additional Payroll Contribution for Retirement Contribution .......................... IX-76
    Sec. 17.09. Border Security – Informational Listing ........................................................... IX-77

CONTINGENCY AND OTHER PROVISIONS ............................................................................ IX-79
Recapitulation – Article IX - General Provisions – General Revenue............................................. IX-99
Recapitulation – Article IX – General Provisions – General Revenue – Dedicated ...................... IX-100
Recapitulation – Article IX - General Provisions – Federal Funds............................................... IX-101
Recapitulation – Article IX – General Provisions – Other Funds .................................................. IX-102
Recapitulation – Article IX – General Provisions – All Funds ...................................................... IX-103

CONTINGENCY PROVISIONS: ARTICLE AND AGENCY INDEX ....................................... IX-104



                                                                      vii
                                                            TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                      (Continued)


ARTICLE X - THE LEGISLATURE

Senate ................................................................................................................................................... X-1
House of Representatives ..................................................................................................................... X-2
Legislative Council .............................................................................................................................. X-4
Uniform State Laws, Commission on .................................................................................................. X-5
State Auditor’s Office .......................................................................................................................... X-5
Legislative Reference Library.............................................................................................................. X-6
Retirement and Group Insurance ......................................................................................................... X-7
Social Security and Benefit Replacement Pay ..................................................................................... X-8
Lease Payments .................................................................................................................................... X-8
Special Provisions Relating to the Legislature..................................................................................... X-8
Recapitulation - Article X - General Revenue ..................................................................................... X-9
Recapitulation - Article X - Other Funds ........................................................................................... X-10
Recapitulation - Article X - All Funds ............................................................................................... X-11

ARTICLE XI – SAVINGS CLAUSE................................................................................... XI-1

ARTICLE XII – EMERGENCY CLAUSE..................................................................................... XI-1




                                                                              viii
                     HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
                                              (Continued)


     (HHSC) in Goal B, Medicaid, and Goal C, Children's Health Insurance Program, HHSC may
     implement the following quality-based reforms in the Medicaid and CHIP programs:

     a.    develop quality-based outcome and process measures that promote the provision of efficient,
           quality health care and that can be used to implement quality-based payments for acute and
           long-term care services across delivery models and payment systems;

     b.    implement quality-based payment systems for compensating a health care provider or facility
           participating in the Medicaid and CHIP programs;

     c.    implement quality-based payment initiatives to reduce potentially preventable readmissions
           and potentially preventable complications; and

     d.    implement a bundled payment initiative in the Medicaid program, including a shared savings
           component for providers that meet quality-based outcomes. The executive commissioner
           may select high-cost and/or high-volume services to bundle and may consider the
           experiences of other payers and other state of Texas programs that purchase healthcare
           services in making the selection.

     e.    Under the Health and Human Services Commission's authority in 1 T.A.C. Sec. 355.307(c),
           the commission may implement a Special Reimbursement Class for long term care
           commonly referred to as "small house facilities." Such a class may include a rate
           reimbursement model that is cost neutral and that adequately addresses the cost differences
           that exist in a nursing facility constructed and operated as a small house facility, as well as
           the potential for off-setting cost savings through decreased utilization of higher cost
           institutional and ancillary services. The payment increment may be based upon a provider
           incentive payment rate.

     Required Reporting: The commission shall provide annual reports to the Governor's Office of
     Budget, Planning, and Policy and Legislative Budget Board on December 1, 2015 and December
     1, 2016 that include (1) the quality-based outcome and process measures developed; (2) the
     progress of the implementation of quality-based payment systems and other related initiatives; (3)
     outcome and process measures by health service region; and (4) cost-effectiveness of quality-
     based payment systems and other related initiatives.

47. Texas Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities. Out of General Revenue Funds
    appropriated above in Strategy A.1.1, Enterprise Oversight and Policy, the Health and Human
    Services Commission shall expend an amount not to exceed $200,000 each fiscal year for salaries,
    travel expenses, and other costs in order to support the Office for Prevention of Developmental
    Disabilities. Grants and donations for the Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental
    Disabilities received through the authority provided by Article IX, Sec. 8.01, Acceptance of Gifts
    of Money, are not subject to this limit and shall be expended as they are received as a first source,
    and General Revenue shall be used as a second source to support the office.

48. Supplemental Payments. It is the intent of the Legislature that when the Health and Human
    Services Commission calculates supplemental payments, data be collected to provide transparency
    regarding claims associated with the supplemental payment program. An independent audit of the
    program, including a review of regional affiliations, uncompensated care claims for both
    uninsured and insured individuals, and contractual agreements, and a report with findings should
    be completed and distributed annually on March 1 to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the
    Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Finance Committee members, the House
    Appropriations Committee members, and the Legislative Budget Board.

49. Prevent Eligibility Determination Fraud. It is the intent of the Legislature that to prevent fraud
    and to maximize efficiencies, the Health and Human Services Commission shall use technology to
    identify the risk for fraud associated with applications for benefits. Within the parameters of state
    and federal law, the commission shall set appropriate verification and documentation requirements
    based on the application's risk to ensure agency resources are targeted to maximize fraud reduction
    and case accuracy.

50. Medicaid Funding Reduction and Cost Containment.

     a.    Included in appropriations above in Goal B, Medicaid, is a reduction of $186,500,000 in
           General Revenue Funds and $249,349,498 in Federal Funds in fiscal year 2016 and
           $186,500,000 in General Revenue Funds and $247,220,930 in Federal Funds in fiscal year

A529-Conf-2-B                                  II-96                                         May 25, 2015
                   HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
                                            (Continued)


         2017, a biennial total of $373,000,000 in General Revenue Funds and $496,570,428 in
         Federal Funds. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is authorized to
         transfer these reductions between fiscal years and to allocate these reductions among health
         and human services agencies as listed in Article II of this Act, pursuant to the requirement to
         submit a plan included in Subsection (d) of this rider.

    b.   This reduction shall be achieved through the implementation of the plan described under
         subsection (d) which may include any or all of the following initiatives:

          (1)   Continue strengthening and expanding prior authorization and utilization reviews,

          (2)   Incentivize appropriate neonatal intensive care unit utilization and coding,

          (3)   Fully implement dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid integrated care model and long-
                term services and supports quality payment initiative,

          (4)   Maximize co-payments in Medicaid programs,

          (5)   Increase fraud, waste, and abuse prevention and detection,

          (6)   Explore changes to premium structure for managed care organizations and contracting
                tools to reduce costs and increase efficiency,

          (7)   Renegotiate more efficient contracts, including reducing the administrative contract
                profit margin and establish rebate provisions where possible,

          (8)   Develop a dynamic premium development process for managed care organizations that
                has an ongoing methodology for reducing inappropriate utilization, improving
                outcomes, reducing unnecessary spending, and increasing efficiency,

          (9)   Implement fee-for-service payment changes and managed care premium adjustments
                that incentivize the most appropriate and effective use of services,

          (10) Improve birth outcomes, including improving access to information and payment
               reform,

          (11) Increase efficiencies in the vendor drug program,

          (12) Increase third party recoupments,

          (13) Create a pilot program on motor vehicle subrogation,

          (14) Assess options to reduce costs for retroactive Medicaid claims,

          (15) Review the cost effectiveness of including children with disabilities in dental managed
               care,

          (16) Review and determine the benefits of providing the managed care-organizations with
               the ability to create a pharmacy lock-in program, and

          (17) Implement additional initiatives identified by HHSC.

    c.   HHSC shall reform reimbursement methodology to be in line with industry standards,
         policies, and utilization for acute care therapy services (including physical, occupational, and
         speech therapies) while considering stakeholder input and access to care. Out of the amount
         in subsection (a), in each fiscal year at least $50,000,000 in General Revenue Funds savings
         should be achieved through rate reductions and $25,000,000 in General Revenue Funds
         savings may be achieved through various medical policy initiatives listed in items (1)-(10),
         below. If $25,000,000 in savings is not achieved through various medical policy initiatives in
         fiscal year 2016, the amount of unrealized savings (the difference between $25,000,000 in
         General Revenue Funds and savings actually achieved in fiscal year 2016) should be
         achieved through additional rate reductions in fiscal year 2017 while continuing any




A529-Conf-2-B                                II-97                                         May 25, 2015
                    HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
                                             (Continued)


           initiatives implemented in fiscal year 2016 that have been found to produce savings. HHSC
           may achieve savings through various medical policy initiatives, taking into consideration the
           following:

           (1)   Clarifying policy language regarding co-therapy definition, documentation, and billing
                 requirements,

           (2)   Clarifying who can participate in therapy sessions in policy that interns, aides,
                 students, orderlies and technicians can participate in therapy sessions when they are
                 directly and appropriately supervised according to provider licensure requirements,
                 but they are not eligible to enroll as providers and bill Texas Medicaid for services,

           (3)   Consolidate Traditional, Comprehensive Care Program and Home Health Agency
                 therapy policies into one policy,

           (4)   Require a primary care or treating physician to initiate a signed order or referral prior
                 to an initial therapy evaluation. The initial evaluation may require prior authorization
                 and the signed order or referral must be dated prior to the evaluation,

           (5)   Require a primary care or treating physician to order the therapy services based on the
                 outcomes of the evaluation,

           (6)   Clarify medical necessity for therapy services to ensure prior authorization staff who
                 are reviewing requests are using guidelines based on the nationally recognized
                 standards of care,

           (7)   Require licensed Medicaid enrolled therapists to document and support decisions for
                 continued therapy based on professional assessment of a client's progress relative to
                 their individual treatment plan and in concert with the client's primary care physician
                 and the individual and/or family,

           (8)   Ensure appropriate duration of services by aligning authorization periods with national
                 standards,

           (9)   Streamline prior authorization processes, and

           (10) Implement policies that ensure services are provided in the most cost-efficient and
                medically appropriate setting, and implementation of other medical or billing policy
                changes.

      d.   HHSC shall develop a plan to allocate the reductions required by Subsection (a) of this rider
           by taking actions such as those suggested under Subsection (b) and (c) of this rider to the
           budgets of the health and human services agencies as listed in Chapter 531, Government
           Code. The plan shall include reduction amounts by strategy and fiscal year and shall be
           submitted in writing before December 1, 2015 to the Legislative Budget Board, the
           Governor, and the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

51. Improve Efficiencies in Benefit Applications. Out of funds appropriated above, in order to
    improve efficiencies, the Health and Human Services Commission shall promote online
    submissions of applications for benefits administered by the agency. HHSC shall develop
    standards and technical requirements to allow organizations to electronically submit applications.
    It is the intent of the Legislature that HHSC only expend funds or utilize agency resources to
    partner with entities whose role in submitting benefit applications has been statutorily established,
    or with entities that provide in-person assistance using the agency's website for clients.

52. Dental and Orthodontia Providers in the Texas Medicaid Program. It is the intent of the
    Legislature that the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) use funds appropriated
    above in Strategy G.1.1, Office of Inspector General, to strengthen the capacity of the HHSC
    Inspector General to detect, investigate, and prosecute abuse by dentists and orthodontists who
    participate in the Texas Medicaid program. Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that HHSC
    conduct more extensive reviews of medical necessity for orthodontia services in the Medicaid
    program.




A529-Conf-2-B                                  II-98                                         May 25, 2015
H
42 U.S.C. § 1396a

(30)(A) provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization of, and the
payment for, care and services available under the plan (including but not limited to
utilization review plans as provided for in section 1396b(i)(4) of this title) as may be
necessary to safeguard against unnecessary utilization of such care and services and to
assure that payments are consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are
sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under the plan
at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in
the geographic area;


42 U.S.C. § 1396c

If the Secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency
administering or supervising the administration of the State plan approved under this
subchapter, finds--
(1) that the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of
section 1396a of this title; or
(2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any
such provision;

the Secretary shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be made to the
State (or, in his discretion, that payments will be limited to categories under or parts of the
State plan not affected by such failure), until the Secretary is satisfied that there will no
longer be any such failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied he shall make no further
payments to such State (or shall limit payments to categories under or parts of the State
plan not affected by such failure).
