No. 24-316

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. Braidwood Management, Inc., et al.

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2024-09-19
Status: Judgment Issued
Type: Paid
Amici (27) Experienced Counsel
Tags: appointments-clause constitutional-defect cost-sharing preventive-services statutory-provision task-force
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw SocialSecurity Securities Immigration Patent Trademark Privacy JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2025-01-10
Related Cases: 24-475 (Vide)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the court of appeals erred in holding that the Task Force's structure violates the Appointments Clause and whether the statutory provision can be severed

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTION PRESENTED The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force), which sits within the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issues clinical recommendations for preventive medical services, such as screenings and medications to prevent serious diseases. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119, health insurance issuers and group health plans must cover certain preventive services recommended by the Task Force without imposing any cost-sharing requirements on patients. 42 U.S.C. 300gg-13(a)(1). The question presented is as follows: Whether the court of appeals erred in holding that the structure of the Task Force violates the Appointments Clause, U.S. Const. Art. II, § 2, Cl. 2, and in declining to sever the statutory provision that it found to unduly insulate the Task Force from the HHS Secretary’s supervision. (I)

Docket Entries

2025-07-29
Judgment Issued.
2025-06-27
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Kavanaugh, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-316_869d.pdf'>opinion</a> of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett, and Jackson, JJ., joined. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Alito and Gorsuch, JJ., joined.
2025-05-05
Supplemental brief of respondent Braidwood Management, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-05-05
Supplemental letter brief of petitioners Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-05-05
Supplemental Brief of Braidwood Management, Inc., et al. submitted.
2025-05-05
Letter Brief of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. submitted.
2025-05-02
Motion of New Civil Liberties Alliance for leave to file amicus brief submitted.
2025-04-24
The parties are directed to file supplemental letter briefs addressing the following question: Whether Congress has “by Law” vested the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services with the authority to appoint members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. U. S. Const. art. II, §2, cl. 2. The briefs should address this Court’s decisions in United States v. Hartwell, 6 Wall. 385 (1868), and United States v. Smith, 124 U. S. 525 (1888). The briefs, not to exceed 15 pages, are to be filed simultaneously with the Clerk and served upon opposing counsel on or before 2 p.m., Monday, May 5, 2025.
2025-04-21
Argued. For petitioners: Hashim M. Mooppan, Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Jonathan F. Mitchell, Austin, Tex.
2025-04-11
Reply of petitioners Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-04-11
Reply of Xavier Becerra, et al. submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Pacific Legal Foundation submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of The Buckeye Institute submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Cato Institute submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Manhattan Institute submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Christian Employers Alliance submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Brief for Texas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia as Amici Curiae in Support of Respondents submitted.
2025-03-27
Amicus brief of Texas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia submitted.
2025-03-27
2025-03-27
2025-03-27
Brief amicus curiae of Christian Employers Alliance filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-27
2025-03-27
2025-03-27
2025-03-26
Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Physicians and Surgeons filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-26
Amicus brief of Association of American Physicians and Surgeons submitted.
2025-03-21
2025-03-21
Amicus brief of Goldwater Institute submitted.
2025-03-20
Brief of respondents Braidwood Management, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-20
Brief of Braidwood Management, Inc., et al. submitted.
2025-03-19
CIRCULATED
2025-03-07
Record received electronically from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and available with the Clerk.
2025-03-03
Amicus brief of American College of Gastroenterology submitted.
2025-03-03
Brief amicus curiae of American College of Gastroenterology filed.
2025-03-03
Brief amicus curiae of American College of Gastroenterology in support of neither party filed.
2025-02-26
Amicus brief of National Alliance of State and Territorial Aids Directors and Other HIV, LGBTQ, and Healthcare Organizations submitted.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of The Center for HIV Law and Policy and Other Leading Health Policy and Reproductive Justice Organizations filed.
2025-02-25
Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
2025-02-25
Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of Public Citizen et al. submitted.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of United States of Care and 47 Other Organizations submitted.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of CHLPI, CIDP, ADA, MRC, CAP, et al. submitted.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of The American Public Health Association, Public Health Deans and Scholars, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Public Health Advocates submitted.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of Gilead Sciences, Inc. submitted.
2025-02-25
Amicus brief of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. submitted.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, et al. filed.
2025-02-25
2025-02-25
2025-02-25
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of American Public Health Association, et al. filed.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of 48 Bipartisan Economic and Other Social Science Scholars filed.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of Chronic Illness and Disability Partnership, et al. filed.
2025-02-25
Brief amicus curiae of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. filed.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute, et al. filed.
2025-02-25
Brief amici curiae of Patient and Physician Professional Organizations filed.
2025-02-25
2025-02-24
2025-02-24
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, April 21, 2025.
2025-02-24
Amicus brief of American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Federation of American Hospitals, America's Essential Hospitals, and Association of American Medical Colleges submitted.
2025-02-18
Brief of petitioners Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al. filed.
2025-02-18
2025-02-18
Brief of petitioners Xavier Becerra, et al. filed.
2025-02-18
Joint Appendix submitted.
2025-02-18
Brief of Xavier Becerra, et al. submitted.
2025-02-18
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.)
2025-01-10
Petition GRANTED.
2024-12-18
Reply of petitioners Xavier Becerra, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2024-12-18
Reply of Xavier Becerra, et al. submitted.
2024-12-18
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/10/2025.
2024-10-21
Brief amici curiae of The American Public Health Association, et al. filed.
2024-10-21
2024-10-21
2024-10-21
Brief of respondents Braidwood Management, Inc., et al. in support filed.
2024-10-21
2024-09-19
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 21, 2024)

Attorneys

35 Health Care Access Organizations
Jose Idio Abrigo Jr.Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Amicus
48 Bipartisan Economic and Other Social Science Scholars
Matthew S. HellmanJenner & Block LLP, Amicus
Matthew S. HellmanJenner & Block LLP, Amicus
American College of Gastroenterology
Andrew TauberBryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Amicus
Andrew TauberBryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Amicus
American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Federation of American Hospitals, America's Essential Hospitals, and Association of American Medical Colleges
Chad Ian GolderAmerican Hospital Association, Amicus
Chad Ian GolderAmerican Hospital Association, Amicus
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
Andrew L. Schlafly — Amicus
Andrew L. Schlafly — Amicus
Braidwood Management, Inc., et al.
Jonathan F. MitchellMitchell Law PLLC, Respondent
Jonathan F. MitchellMitchell Law PLLC, Respondent
Cato Institute
Thomas Arthur BerryCato Institute, Amicus
Thomas Arthur BerryCato Institute, Amicus
CHLPI, CIDP, ADA, MRC, CAP, et al.
Benjamin Gross ShatzManatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLP, Amicus
Benjamin Gross ShatzManatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLP, Amicus
Christian Employers Alliance
Erin Morrow HawleyAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
Erin Morrow HawleyAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Kwaku Affawua AkowuahSidley Austin LLP, Amicus
Kwaku Affawua AkowuahSidley Austin LLP, Amicus
Goldwater Institute
Timothy Mason SandefurGoldwater Institute, Amicus
Timothy Mason SandefurGoldwater Institute, Amicus
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute, et al.
Richard Henry Hughes IVEpstein Becker & Green, Amicus
Richard Henry Hughes IVEpstein Becker & Green, Amicus
Illinois
Jane Elinor NotzOffice of the Attorney General, State of Illinois, Amicus
Jane Elinor NotzOffice of the Attorney General, State of Illinois, Amicus
Manhattan Institute
R. Trent McCotterBoyden Gray PLLC, Amicus
R. Trent McCotterBoyden Gray PLLC, Amicus
National Alliance of State and Territorial Aids Directors and Other HIV, LGBTQ, and Healthcare Organizations
Jose Idio Abrigo Jr.Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Amicus
New Civil Liberties Alliance
Margaret Ann LittleNew Civil Liberties Alliance, Amicus
Margaret Ann LittleNew Civil Liberties Alliance, Amicus
Pacific Legal Foundation
Michael PoonPacific Legal Foundation, Amicus
Michael PoonPacific Legal Foundation, Amicus
Public Citizen et al.
Nicolas Anthony SansonePublic Citizen Litigation Group, Amicus
Nicolas Anthony SansonePublic Citizen Litigation Group, Amicus
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al.
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Petitioner
Texas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia
Aaron Lloyd NielsonOffice of the Texas Attorney General, Amicus
Aaron Lloyd NielsonOffice of the Texas Attorney General, Amicus
The American Cancer Society, et al.
Beth W. PetronioK&L Gates LLP, Amicus
Beth W. PetronioK&L Gates LLP, Amicus
The American Public Health Association, Public Health Deans and Scholars, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Public Health Advocates
Andrew John PincusMayer Brown LLP, Amicus
Andrew John PincusMayer Brown LLP, Amicus
The Buckeye Institute
Jay Randall CarsonThe Buckeye Institute, Amicus
Jay Randall CarsonThe Buckeye Institute, Amicus
The Center for HIV Law and Policy and Other Leading Health Policy and Reproductive Justice Organizations
David W. DeBruinJenner and Block, Amicus
David W. DeBruinJenner and Block, Amicus
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
David C. FrederickKellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C., Amicus
David C. FrederickKellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C., Amicus
United States of Care and 47 Other Organizations
Daniel Gordon JarchoAlston & Bird LLP, Amicus
Daniel Gordon JarchoAlston & Bird LLP, Amicus
Xavier Becerra, et al.
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Petitioner
Elizabeth B. Prelogar — Petitioner
Sarah M. HarrisActing Solicitor General, Petitioner