Kenneth Fitch, et al. v. Maryland, et al.
SocialSecurity ERISA DueProcess
Whether the unmistakability doctrine renders a statutory unilateral employment contract illusory and whether Maryland's discriminatory healthcare provisions for illegal aliens violate constitutional protections
Petitioners, retired state employees, filed a complaint alleging that their employer, the State of Maryland, breached a statutory unilateral contract to provide state subsidized prescription drug benefits in retirement. The District Court found a contract existed for certain State retirees. The Fourth Circuit reversed that decision, ruling that a contract was not created based on the unmistakability doctrine. Six months after Petitioners appealed, Maryland established the Qualified Resident Program that will provide access to and subsidize state and federal healthcare programs for illegal aliens. T HE QUESTIONS PRESENTED ARE: 1. Whether the use of the unmistakability doctrine renders a fulfilled statutory unilateral employment contract illusory. 2. Whether Maryland may discriminate in favor of illegal aliens and against State retirees by providing subsidies for prescription drug benefits through Medicare Part D ; and if so, whether the specific discrim inatory provisions of the Qualified Residence Program in Maryland’s Access to Ca re Act are unconstitutional.