Case Name: MILLIMAN, INC., and Rachel Killian, Petitioners, v. Donald ROOF, Deputy Liquidator of Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc., Respondent.
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2018-10-23
Citations: 353 F. Supp. 3d 588
Docket Number: Civil No. 3:18-cv-00012-GFVT
Parties: MILLIMAN, INC., and Rachel Killian, Petitioners,
v.
Donald ROOF, Deputy Liquidator of Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc., Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Supplement 3d
Volume: 353
Pages: 588–606

Head Matter:
MILLIMAN, INC., and Rachel Killian, Petitioners,
v.
Donald ROOF, Deputy Liquidator of Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc., Respondent.
Civil No. 3:18-cv-00012-GFVT
United States District Court, E.D. Kentucky, Central Division. Frankfort.
Signed October 23, 2018
Catharine Luo, Justin N. Kattan, Reid L. Ashinoff, Dentons US LLP, New York, NY, Daniel Luke Morgan, Jason R. Hollon, Stephen Garrett Amato, McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland, PLLC, Lexington, KY, for Petitioners.
Connor B. Egan, Perry M. Bentley, Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC, Lexington, KY, Paul Christopher Harnice, Sarah Jackson Bishop, Stoll Keenon Ogden, Frankfort, KY, for Respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER
Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, United States District Judge Federal judges often find themselves at the intersection of state law and federal law and faced with the dilemma of which direction to turn. Occasionally, an area of state law can circumvent the Founding Fathers' dictate that federal law reign supreme, but only in rare situations. This action is the third and final installment of several related cases, all concerning the same intersection of state law and federal law. After several hearings and many hundreds of pages of briefing, the Court finds that federal law governs. Kentucky's prohibition of arbitration between insolvent insurance companies and third-party contractors does not trump the mandate of the Federal Arbitration Act that valid arbitration agreements must be upheld. For the following reasons, the Liquidator's Motion to Dismiss is DENIED .
I
The Kentucky Health Cooperative (KYHC) sought approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer health plans to Kentucky citizens in 2011 and 2012. During this time, KYHC contracted with Milliman, Inc., whereby Milliman would provide actuarial services to KYHC. [R. 6 at 2.] Through this Consulting Services Agreement (CSA), Milliman agreed to provide consulting services to KYHC. [R. 1-2; R. 1-3.] The CSA included a section where parties agreed to arbitrate claims and disputes arising out of or relating to the CSA. [R. 1-2 at 1; R. 1-3 at 2.]
Similarly, KYHC contracted with CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc., for CGI to perform administrative services [CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. v. Atkins , 3:16-cv-0037-GFVT, R. 71-1], and around the same time, KYHC contracted with Beam Partners, LLC, for Beam Partners to provide management and support services to KYHC [ Beam Partners, LLC v. Atkins , 3:17-cv-00004-GFVT; R. 4-2].
KYHC issued its initial health plan policy on January 1, 2014, but by late 2015, KYHC was insolvent and placed into rehabilitation by Franklin Circuit Court in Franklin County, Kentucky. [R. 6 at 2.] Pursuant to KRS § 304.33-010, et seq. , Franklin Circuit Court placed KYHC into liquidation on January 15, 2016, and appointed H. Brian Maynard, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, as the Liquidator. Id. Jeff Gaither and David Hurt were appointed as Special Deputy Liquidators. Pursuant to the Liquidation Order,
The Liquidator and the Special Deputy Liquidators are hereby authorized to deal with the property, business, and affairs of KYHC and KYHC's estate, and in any necessary forum, to sue or defend for KYHC, or for the benefit of KYHC's policyholders, creditors, or shareholders in the courts and tribunal, agencies or arbitration panels of this states and other states, or in any applicable federal court in the Liquidator's name as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, in his capacity as Liquidator, or a Special deputy in his capacity as Special Deputy Liquidator, or in the name of KYHC.
[R. 6-1 at 9.] Since that time, Nancy G. Atkins has replaced H. Brian Maynard as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, and thus also as the Liquidator. See KRS § 304.33-200. Donald Roof was also appointed as a Deputy Litigator for KYHC on August 14, 2017. [R. 1 at 2.]
On May 13, 2016, the Liquidator sued CGI in Franklin Circuit Court for breach of contract and negligence. [CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. v. Atkins , 3:16-cv-0037-GFVT, R. 71-1 at 2.] The Liquidator refused to honor the arbitration clause, so CGI removed that claim to this Court and filed a Petition to Compel Arbitration. Id. These actions were consolidated in this Court. [CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. v. Atkins , 3:16-cv-0037-GFVT, R. 8.] Six months later, the Liquidator sued Beam Partners and Terry Shilling, along with Janie Miller, Joseph E. Smith, the Officers and Board of Directors of KYHC, and CGI for similar breach of contract and tort claims. [ Beam Partners, LLC v. Atkins , 3:17-cv-00004-GFVT; R. 4-4.] The Liquidator again refused to arbitrate, and CGI removed that action to this Court. [Jeff Gaither, Deputy Liquidator of Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc. v. Beam Partners, LLC, et al. , 3:16-cv-00094-GFVT, R. 1.] Beam Partners then filed a Petition to Compel Arbitration. [ Beam Partners, LLC v. Atkins , 3:17-cv-00004-GFVT; R. 1.]
Over a year after filing suit against CGI, the Litigator amended the complaint to include actions against Milliman, Inc. [R. 6-2.] Milliman petitioned this Court for arbitration in March, and the Liquidator filed a motion to dismiss, raising many of the same issues raised in CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. v. Atkins and Beam Partners, LLC v. Atkins. [R. 6.] In September, this Court filed contemporaneous Orders in CGI and Beam Partners denying the Liquidator's Motions for Summary Judgment and granting CGI's and Beam Partners' Motions to Compel Arbitration.
II
A
As an initial matter, the Liquidator challenges this Court's ability to hear this action by claiming the prior exclusive jurisdiction doctrine bars jurisdiction. [R. 6 at 5.] The doctrine of prior exclusive jurisdiction states, "If two suits are in rem or quasi in rem, so that the court must have possession or some control over the property in order to grant the relief sought, the jurisdiction of one court must yield to that of the other." Cartwright v. Garner , 751 F.3d 752, 761 (6th Cir. 2014.) This Court must assess "whether the doctrine of prior exclusive jurisdiction applies at the time of filing, and not any time thereafter." Chevalier v. Estate of Barnhart , 803 F.3d 789, 803 (6th Cir. 2015).
In rem jurisdiction involves or determines "the status of a thing, and therefore the rights of persons generally with respect to that thing." Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014). Conversely, in personam jurisdiction involves or determines "the personal rights and obligations of the parties" and is "brought against a person rather than a property." Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014). "A normal action brought by one person against another for breach of contract is a common example of an action in personam. " R.H. Graveson, Conflict of Laws, 98 (7th ed. 1974).
If the Liquidator is successful in its tort claims against Milliman, the Liquidator will likely be able to collect monetary damages from Milliman, thus increasing the amount of assets that can be distributed among its creditors. However, the Liquidator has not provided sufficient case law to convince the Court that this results in an in rem action governed by the prior exclusive jurisdiction doctrine. The cases cited by the Liquidator involve creditors suing the insolvent company, whereas in the tort action here, the insolvent company is the plaintiff. See Gillis v. Keystone Mut. Cas. Co. , 172 F.2d 826 (6th Cir. 1949) ; Blackhawk Heating & Plumbing Co. Inc. v. Geeslin , 530 F.2d 154 (7th Cir. 1976). By the Liquidator's logic, all suits brought by an insolvent company would need to be heard by the court of liquidation simply because those suits could increase assets available for distribution during liquidation.
The Court is not convinced. This is a petition to compel arbitration for a tort claim involving a breach of contract. A favorable result in this matter does not affect the distribution of the liquidated assets held in Franklin Circuit Court. Nor does the Court need to have jurisdiction over the assets to resolve this matter. Thus, the Court finds that the doctrine of prior exclusive jurisdiction does not apply here.
B
The Liquidator also challenges the Court's power to hear this matter, claiming that Milliman has not complied with Kentucky's requirements for pursuing arbitration, and this Court cannot grant or deny relief without Milliman fully complying with Kentucky's arbitration requirements. [R. 6 at 10.] Under the IRLL, no party may institute an action against the liquidator without approval of the court. KRS § 304.33-270(1). However, the Federal Arbitration Act does not require parties to comply with state requirements before seeking a petition from federal court for arbitration. See 9 U.S.C. § 4. Requiring Milliman to comply with the IRLL before petitioning this Court assumes that the IRLL reverse preempts the Federal Arbitration Act in this case. As explained next, it does not.
C
The Liquidator continues to argue that the IRLL reverse preempts the Federal Arbitration Act through the McCarran-Ferguson Act. [R. 6 at 16.] The Court has previously decided that it does not, however, the Court restates its analysis here. See Beam Partners, LLC, v. Atkins , Civil No. 3:17-cv-004-GFVT, 340 F.Supp.3d 627, 2018 WL 4344456 (E.D. Ky. Sept. 11, 2018).
1
The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. ,"manifests a liberal federal policy favoring arbitration agreements." Masco Corp. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co. , 382 F.3d 624, 626 (6th Cir. 2004) (quoting Moses H. Cone Mem'l Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp. , 460 U.S. 1, 24, 103 S.Ct. 927, 74 L.Ed.2d 765 (1983) ) (internal quotation marks omitted). Section 2 of the FAA states that arbitration clauses in commercial contracts "shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract." 9 U.S.C. § 2 ; see also Javitch v. First Union Sec., Inc. , 315 F.3d 619, 624 (6th Cir. 2003). Under § 4, when a party is "aggrieved by the failure of another party to arbitrate under a written agreement for arbitration," that party "may petition a federal court for an order directing that such arbitration proceed in the manner provided for" by the contract. Rent-A-Center, W., Inc. v. Jackson , 561 U.S. 63, 68, 130 S.Ct. 2772, 177 L.Ed.2d 403 (2010) (quoting 9 U.S.C. § 4 ) (internal quotation marks omitted). According to the United States Supreme Court, the FAA "places arbitration agreements on an equal footing with other contracts, and requires courts to enforce them according to their terms." Id. at 67, 130 S.Ct. 2772 (internal citations omitted); see also AT & T Mobility, LLC v. Concepcion , 563 U.S. 333, 339, 131 S.Ct. 1740, 179 L.Ed.2d 742 (2011).
Under the FAA, when contracts contain arbitration clauses, federal courts "are to examine the language of the contract in light of the strong federal policy in favor of arbitration," and are required to resolve any ambiguities in the agreement or doubts as to the parties' intentions in favor of arbitration. Stout v. J.D. Byrider , 228 F.3d 709, 714 (6th Cir. 2000) ; see also AT & T Techs., Inc. v. Commc'ns Workers of Am. , 475 U.S. 643, 650, 106 S.Ct. 1415, 89 L.Ed.2d 648 (1986) (explaining that when the contract in question contains an arbitration clause, courts should presume arbitraibility and should not deny an order to arbitrate the grievance "unless it may be said with positive assurance that the arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation that covers the asserted dispute. Doubts should be in favor of coverage.") (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). Despite the presumption in favor of arbitration, however, a party cannot be compelled to arbitrate "any dispute that the party has not agreed to so submit." Bratt Enters., Inc. v. Noble Int'l Ltd. , 338 F.3d 609, 612 (6th Cir. 2003).
Before compelling an unwilling party to settle a dispute by arbitration, the Court must apply a two-part test "to determine whether the dispute is arbitrable; meaning that a valid agreement to arbitrate exists between the parties, and that the specific dispute falls within the substantive scope of that agreement." Javitch , 315 F.3d at 624. Although the FAA "preempts state laws and policies regarding arbitration," in determining whether a valid agreement to arbitrate exists between the parties, the Court should apply state contract law, "provided the contract law applied is general and not specific to arbitration clauses." Fazio v. Lehman Bros., Inc. , 340 F.3d 386, 392-93 (6th Cir. 2003) (citing Doctor's Assoc., Inc. v. Casarotto , 517 U.S. 681, 686-87, 116 S.Ct. 1652, 134 L.Ed.2d 902 (1996) ).
The Sixth Circuit has recognized, however, that even when applying state-law principles of contract interpretation, "due regard must be given to the federal policy favoring arbitration, and ambiguities as to the scope of the arbitration clause itself resolved in favor of arbitration." Bratt Enters., Inc. , 338 F.3d at 613 (quoting Volt Info. Scis., Inc. v. Bd. of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior Univ. , 489 U.S. 468, 475-76, 109 S.Ct. 1248, 103 L.Ed.2d 488 (1989) ). The court then "shall order arbitration upon being satisfied that the making of the agreement for arbitration or the failure to comply therewith is not in issue." Rent-A-Center , 561 U.S. at 68, 130 S.Ct. 2772 (quoting 9 U.S.C. § 4 ) (internal quotations omitted).
Individually and as Chief Executive Officer of KYHC.
Individually and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for KYHC.

Opinion:
Finally, in evaluating motions to compel arbitration, "Courts treat the facts as they would in ruling on a summary judgment." Diversicare Leasing Corp. v. Hutchinson , Civil Action No. 17-42-HRW, 2018 WL 771320, at *2 (E.D. Ky. Feb. 7, 2018) (quoting Kovac v. Superior Dairy, Inc. , 930 F.Supp.2d 857, 864 (N.D. Ohio 2013) ). Accordingly, the party opposing arbitration must show "a genuine issue of material fact as to the validity of the agreement to arbitrate." Great Earth Cos. Inc. v. Simons , 288 F.3d 878, 889 (6th Cir. 2002). The party opposing arbitration also has an evidentiary burden of demonstrating that the arbitration agreement itself, rather than the contract in which it is found, is unenforceable. Green Tree Fin. Corp.-Alabama v. Randolph , 531 U.S. 79, 91-92, 121 S.Ct. 513, 148 L.Ed.2d 373 (2000). In doing so, the party "seeking to avoid arbitration bears the burden of establishing that Congress intended to preclude arbitration of the statutory claims at issue." Id. ; see also Gilmer v. Interstate/Johnson Lane Corp. , 500 U.S. 20, 26, 111 S.Ct. 1647, 114 L.Ed.2d 26 (1991).
The arbitration clause in question is located on the first page of the original CSA and on the second page of the renewed CSA. [R. 1-2 at 1; R. 1-3 at 2.] Specifically, the original CSA includes the following provision:
DISPUTES. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to the engagement of Milliman by Company, the parties agree that the dispute will be resolved by final and binding arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall take place before a panel of three arbitrators. Within 30 days of the commencement of the arbitration, each party shall designate in writing a single neutral and independent arbitrator. The two arbitrators designated by the parties shall then select a third arbitrator. The arbitrators shall have a background in either insurance, actuarial science or law. The arbitrators shall have the authority to permit limited discovery, including depositions, prior to the arbitration hearing, and such discovery shall be conducted consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrators shall have no power or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. The arbitrators may, in their discretion, award the cost of the arbitration, including reasonable attorney fees, to the prevailing party. Any award made may be confirmed in any court having jurisdiction. Any arbitration shall be confidential, and except as required by law, neither party may disclose the content or results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that disclosure is permitted to a party's auditors and legal advisors.
[R. 1-2 at 1-2.] Similarly, the renewed agreement states:
DISPUTES. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to the engagement of Milliman by Company, the parties agree that the dispute will be resolved by final and binding arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall take place before a panel of three arbitrators in Louisville, Kentucky. Within 30 days of the commencement of the arbitration, each party shall designate in writing a single neutral and independent arbitrator. The two arbitrators designated by the parties shall then select a third arbitrator. The arbitrators shall have a background in either insurance, actuarial science or law. The arbitrators shall have the authority to permit limited discovery, including depositions, prior to the arbitration hearing, and such discovery shall be conducted consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrators shall have no power or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. The arbitrators may, in their discretion, award the cost of the arbitration, including reasonable attorney fees, to the prevailing party. Any award made may be confirmed in any court having jurisdiction. Any arbitration shall be confidential, and except as required by law, neither party may disclose the content or results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that disclosure is permitted to a party's auditors and legal advisors.
[R. 1-3 at 2.] The CSA also contains a choice of law clause. The original agreement designated the contract to be governed under the substantive contract law of New York [R. 1-2 at 2], and the renewed CSA designated the State of Kentucky as governing the substantive law [R. 1-3 at 2]. The parties agree, under the FAA, this is a valid arbitration agreement. First, the contract itself is valid. Under New York law, a contract must have "offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual assent, and an intent to be bound." Register.com, Inc. v. Verio, Inc. , 356 F.3d 393, 427 (2d Cir. 2004). In Kentucky, a valid contract must have an offer, an acceptance, "full and complete terms," and sufficient consideration. Energy Home, Div. of S. Energy Homes, Inc. v. Peay , 406 S.W.3d 828, 834 (Ky. 2013). Neither party asserts that the CSA lacks one of these elements. In order to show validity of an arbitration agreement, Kentucky law provides for a burden-shifting framework: the party seeking arbitration satisfies its prima facie burden by simply providing a copy of the written and signed arbitration agreement, then the burden shifts to the opposing party to show a lack of an agreement. MHC Kenworth-Knoxville/Nashville v. M & H Trucking, Inc. , 392 S.W.3d 903, 906 (Ky. 2013). Milliman has provided the agreements [R. 1-2; R. 1-3] and the Liquidator has provided no evidence, much less meet the heavy burden, to suggest no agreement exists. See MHC Kenworth-Knoxville/Nashville , 392 S.W.3d at 906. In New York, a party may not be compelled to arbitrate unless evidence establishes a "clear, explicit, and unequivocal" agreement to arbitrate. Fiveco, Inc. v. Haber , 11 N.Y.3d 140, 863 N.Y.S.2d 391, 893 N.E.2d 807, 810 (2008). Because the agreement contained an arbitration clause, provision, such "clear, explicit, and unequivocal" evidence exists in this case. Id. Therefore, the first part of Javitch is satisfied; a valid agreement between the Liquidator and Milliman exists. Javitch , 315 F.3d at 624.
The next question is whether this dispute falls within the substantive scope of the CSA. Id. Under the FAA, "any doubts concerning the scope of arbitrable issues should be resolved in favor of arbitration." Moses H. Cone Mem'l Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp. , 460 U.S. 1, 24, 103 S.Ct. 927, 74 L.Ed.2d 765 (1983). Here, the arbitration clause is broad: "any dispute arising out of or relating to the engagement of Milliman . will be resolved by final and binding arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association." [R. 1-2 at 1; R. 1-3 at 2.] Thus, absent an express provision in the agreement excluding a specific dispute, and absent "forceful evidence" that the parties intended to exclude a specific dispute, the dispute is governed by the arbitration clause. Highlands Wellmont Health Network, Inc. v. John Deere Health Plan, Inc. , 350 F.3d 568, 577 (6th Cir. 2003). The underlying dispute is a claim by the Liquidator that Milliman breached the CSA, a dispute that clearly relates to the CSA. Further, no language in the agreement and no evidence provided by the parties display an intent to exclude breach of contract claims from the arbitration requirement. Accordingly, the Court finds that the dispute falls within the substantive scope of the CSA. See Javitch , 315 F.3d at 624.
2
Despite its validity under the FAA, New York contract law, and Kentucky contract law, the Liquidator contests the validity of the arbitration agreement as inconsistent with the Kentucky IRLL. The purpose of the IRLL is stated as follows:
(4) Purpose. The purpose of this subtitle is the protection of the interests of insureds, creditors, and the public generally, with minimum interference with the normal prerogative of proprietors, through:
(a) Early detection of any potentially dangerous condition in an insurer, and prompt application of appropriate corrective measures, neither unduly harsh nor subject to the kind of publicity that would needlessly damage or destroy the insurer;
(b) Improved methods for rehabilitating insurers, by enlisting the advice and management expertise of the insurance industry;
(c) Enhanced efficiency and economy of liquidation, through the consolidation of matters relating to the liquidation under the supervision of a single court so as to avoid divergent rulings by a multiplicity of judicial tribunals and through clarification and specification of the law, to minimize legal uncertainty and litigation;
(d) Equitable apportionment of unavoidable loss;
(e) Lessening the problems of interstate rehabilitation and liquidation by facilitating cooperation between states in the liquidation process, and by extension of the scope of personal jurisdiction over debtors of the insurer outside this state;
(f) Regulation of the insurance business by the impact of the law relating to delinquency procedures and substantive rules on the entire insurance business; and
(g) Provision for a comprehensive scheme for the supervision, rehabilitation, and liquidation of insurance companies and those subject to this subtitle as part of the regulation of the business of insurance, insurance industry, and insurers in this state. Proceedings in cases of insurer insolvency and delinquency shall be deemed an integral aspect of the business of insurance and are of vital public interest and concern.
KRS § 304.33-010(4). The IRLL grants exclusive jurisdiction to Franklin Circuit Court "to entertain, hear, or determine all matters in any way relating to any delinquency proceeding under this subtitle, including but not limited to all disputes involving purported assets of the insurer." KRS § 304.33-040(3)(a). Once a delinquency proceeding has been initiated, the provisions of the IRLL "shall govern those proceedings, and all conflicting contractual provisions contained in any contract between the insurer which is subject to the delinquency proceeding and any third party shall be deemed subordinated to the provisions of this subtitle." KRS § 304.33-010(6). The Liquidator argues, therefore, that the breach of contract claim, which is subject to the arbitration agreement in the CSA, must be submitted to the Franklin Circuit Court as part of the ongoing delinquency proceedings, and this Court should not compel arbitration. [R. 6.]
3
Typically, when a state law conflicts with a federal law, such as the apparent conflict here between the exclusive jurisdiction given to the Franklin Circuit Court by the IRLL and the preference for arbitration expressed by the FAA, the federal law preempts the state law, rendering the state law without effect. U.S. CONST. art. VI, cl. 2 ; Altria Group, Inc. v. Good , 555 U.S. 70, 76, 129 S.Ct. 538, 172 L.Ed.2d 398 (2008). However, the McCarran-Ferguson Act carved out an exception to this general rule in instances where state laws regulate the "business of insurance." 15 U.S.C. § 1011 et seq. Congress sought, under the Commerce Clause as derived in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, to prevent general federal laws from interfering with state insurance regulations. See AmSouth Bank v. Dale , 386 F.3d 763, 780 (6th Cir. 2004) ; Am. Ins. Ass'n v. Garamendi , 539 U.S. 396, 428, 123 S.Ct. 2374, 156 L.Ed.2d 376 (2003). McCarran-Ferguson establishes situations of "reverse preemption," where a state law preempts the federal law. "No Act of Congress shall be construed to invalidate, impair, or supersede any law enacted by any State for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance, or which imposes a fee or tax upon such business, unless such Act specifically relates to the business of insurance...." 15 U.S.C. § 1012(b). In order for the McCarran-Ferguson Act to reverse preempt a federal law, (1) the state statute must have been enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance, (2) the federal statute in question must not specifically relate to the business of insurance, and (3) the application of the federal law would "invalidate, impair, or supersede" the state statute. Humana Inc. v. Forsyth , 525 U.S. 299, 307, 119 S.Ct. 710, 142 L.Ed.2d 753 (1999).
But determining whether a law "regulates the business of insurance" has proved difficult. The Supreme Court has identified three criteria, none of which is itself determinative, to determine whether a particular practice is part of the "business of insurance": "first , whether the practice has the effect of transferring or spreading a policyholder's risk; second , whether the practice is an integral part of the policy relationship between the insurer and the insured; and third , whether the practice is limited to entities within the insurance industry." Union Labor Life Ins. Co. v. Pireno , 458 U.S. 119, 129, 102 S.Ct. 3002, 73 L.Ed.2d 647 (1982) (citing to Group Life & Health Ins. Co. v. Royal Drug Co. , 440 U.S. 205, 99 S.Ct. 1067, 59 L.Ed.2d 261 (1979) ). When determining whether a law was enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance, the Supreme Court explains that the law must "possess the 'end, intention, or aim' of adjusting, managing or controlling the business of insurance." U.S. Dept. of the Treasury v. Fabe , 508 U.S. 491, 505, 113 S.Ct. 2202, 124 L.Ed.2d 449 (1993) (quoting Black's Law Dictionary 1236, 1286 (6th ed. 1990) ). Laws enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance necessarily include more than just practices of the business of insurance. Id. In Fabe , the Court determined that an Ohio statute was "aimed at protecting or regulating the performance of an insurance contract," and thus "enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance." Id. (quotations and citations omitted).
The Liquidator claims application of the McCarran-Ferguson Act results in the IRLL reverse preempting the FAA, and therefore, this Court should deny Milliman's petition to compel arbitration. [R. 6 at 14.] The Liquidator relies heavily on a Kentucky case, Ernst & Young, LLP v. Clark , 323 S.W.3d 682 (Ky. 2010). The Court thus begins with a discussion of this case.
AIK Comp was a self-insured workers compensation group, annually audited by an independent certified public accountant. Id. at 685-86. From 1999 to 2003, Ernst & Young contracted with AIK Comp to perform this audit, and that contract included an arbitration clause. Id. The audits performed by Ernst & Young indicated that AIK Comp was "financially sound," maintaining sufficient assets to cover claims of its insured workers. Id. at 686. In 2004, however, AIK Comp contracted with a different accounting firm, which discovered AIK Comp was actually operating in a deficit and unable to pay claims. Id. AIK was placed in rehabilitation in Franklin Circuit Court under the IRLL. Id. During rehabilitation, the appointed Rehabilitator sued Ernst & Young, alleging the audits were negligently prepared. Id. Ernst & Young moved to compel arbitration in Franklin Circuit Court. Id. at 687.
The Kentucky Supreme Court found the arbitration agreements were facially valid, but ultimately unenforceable. Id. The court applied the factors of Humana Inc. v. Forsyth , and determined that "the IRLL's broad grant of exclusive jurisdiction to the Franklin Circuit Court in matters relating to the delinquency of insurance companies preempts and supersedes the Federal Arbitration Act and its policy favoring arbitration. Id. at 688. Under the first step, the court stated, "There can be no reasonable doubt that the IRLL, of which KRS 304.33-010(6) is a part, was enacted to regulate the 'business of insurance.' " Id. The breach of contract claims brought by the Rehabilitator, though not insurance contracts between the insurer and the insured, related to the audits mandated by Kentucky insurance law to monitor the solvency of the insurance company. Id. at 689. Next, the court acknowledged that the FAA did not specifically relate to the business of insurance. Id. In considering whether the third part of the Forsyth test was satisfied, the court determined that, because "arbitration is inconsistent with parts of the IRLL," the FAA would invalidate, impair, or supersede the IRLL, thus commanding reverse preemption. Id. The prescribed purpose of the IRLL is "enhanced efficiency and economy of liquidation, through the consolidation of matters relating to the liquidation under the supervision of a single court so as to avoid divergent rulings by a multiplicity of judicial tribunals," and the court found arbitration would impair this purpose. Id.
When a federal court hears a case based on diversity jurisdiction, the court must apply the state law of the forum state as established by the state's highest court and legislature. Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins , 304 U.S. 64, 77-78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938). If, when applying the law of the forum state, there is a definitive state law precedent, the Court is bound by that precedent. Foster v. Caterpillar Tractor Co. , 714 F.2d 654, 656 (6th Cir. 1983). However, a state court's interpretation on an issue of federal law is "entitled to no deference whatsoever." First Am. Title Co. v. Devaugh , 480 F.3d 438, 455 (6th Cir. 2007). The interpretation of the Kentucky IRLL is a matter of state law, but the application of the FAA and Humana Inc. v. Forsyth is an inquiry of federal law. Federalism does not require this Court to follow the holdings of the Kentucky Supreme Court with regard to federal questions. Kuhnle Bros., Inc. v. Cty. of Geauga , 103 F.3d 516, 520 (6th Cir. 1997). At most, the decision in Ernst & Young is non-binding, persuasive authority, which this Court is free to reject or to follow, based on an independent interpretation of federal law. Commodities Exp. Co. v. Detroit Int'l Bridge Co. , 695 F.3d 518, 528 (6th Cir. 2012). The Sixth Circuit has also expressed reservation in applying Ernst & Young , noting that the reverse preemption doctrine should be applied narrowly. Atkins v. CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. , 724 F. App'x 383, 392 (6th Cir. 2018).
For reverse preemption under the McCarran-Ferguson Act, the Court must initially find that the state statute was enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance.
Humana Inc. v. Forsyth , 525 U.S. 299, 307, 119 S.Ct. 710, 142 L.Ed.2d 753 (1999). The parties first disagree as to the scope of this analysis. Milliman looks at the individual statutes, claiming that KRS § 304.33-010(5) - (6) regulate contracts with third parties and, while regulating management of a business, do not regulate the insurance business itself.
The Liquidator disagrees, pointing to the entire IRLL and stating that the business of insurance "necessarily encompasses more than just the 'business of insurance.' " U.S. Dept. of the Treasury v. Fabe , 508 U.S. 491, 505, 113 S.Ct. 2202, 124 L.Ed.2d 449 (1993). The assumption that KRS § 304.33-010(5) - (6) necessarily were enacted for the purpose of regulating the business of insurance just by virtue of being included in the IRLL is just too broad.
Analyzing the IRLL as a whole in this situation presents an opportunity for state legislatures to bypass the Supremacy Clause and federal law simply by including an unrelated provision into an act that generally regulates insurance. While KRS § 304.33-010(5) - (6) are not entirely unrelated to the IRLL, the Court rejects the Kentucky Supreme Court's finding that simply because a statute is included in the IRLL, the statute was enacted to regulate the "business of insurance." Ernst & Young , 323 S.W.3d at 688.
Furthermore, upon consideration of the Pireno factors, the Court finds that KRS § 304.33-010(5) - (6) was not enacted for the purpose of regulating the "business of insurance." The outcome of this litigation does not affect the policy holders of KYHC, there is no transfer or spreading of insurance policy risk, and this has no direct effect on the relationship between KYHC and its insured policy holders. Union Labor Life Ins. Co. v. Pireno , 458 U.S. 119, 129, 102 S.Ct. 3002, 73 L.Ed.2d 647 (1982). This litigation involves a contract dispute between a business and its management company, not an insurance contract. Fabe , 508 U.S. at 505, 113 S.Ct. 2202. Simply because the business is an insurance company and has become insolvent is not relevant to the regulation of the business of insurance. See id. at 506, 113 S.Ct. 2202.
Both parties agree that the FAA does not specifically relate to the business of insurance, so the Court now turns to whether the application of the FAA would "invalidate, impair, or supersede" the state statute. Humana Inc. v. Forsyth , 525 U.S. 299, 307, 119 S.Ct. 710, 142 L.Ed.2d 753 (1999). In the Sixth Circuit, this element is to be "evaluated narrowly, not broadly." Atkins , 724 F. App'x at 392. The Kentucky Supreme Court did not provide a robust analysis, merely assuming that because the clause in the FAA was inconsistent with KRS § 304.33-010(5) - (6), then the FAA would supersede the IRLL. Ernst & Young , 323 S.W.3d at 689. This Court disagrees. Arbitration does not deprive the Liquidator of any substantive rights, only altering the forum in which the Liquidator may pursue those rights. Mandating arbitration in this case does not alter the disposition of claims of the policy holders and does not "invalidate, impair, or supersede" the IRLL as a whole. The arbitration of the Liquidator's claims against third party contractors does not impair the delinquency proceedings in state court, nor does it invalidate the protections of the IRLL.
The Liquidator cites to several cases where courts found that the McCarran-Ferguson Act allowed a state's insurance law to reverse preempt the FAA. However, each of these cases involved the contract between an insured and an insurer. See Stephens v. American Intern. Ins. Co. , 66 F.3d 41 (2d Cir. 1995) ; Munich Am. Reins. Co. v. Crawford , 141 F.3d 585 (5th Cir. 1998) ; Davister Corp. v. United Republic Life Ins. Co. , 152 F.3d 1277 (10th Cir. 1998) ; Standard Security Life Ins. Co. v. West , 267 F.3d 821 (8th Cir. 2001) ; Mut. Reinsurance Bureau v. Great Plains Mut. Ins. Co., Inc. , 969 F.2d 931 (10th Cir. 1992). Had this case involved a policy holder or a party covered under an insurance policy issued by KYHC, this litigation would be the concern contemplated by Union Labor Life Ins. Co. v. Pireno , and mandating arbitration would change the substantive rights of the parties involved, however, this is not the case. Therefore, the Court finds that the McCarran-Ferguson Act does not allow reverse-preemption of the FAA when the Liquidator of an insurance company brings suit against a third-party independent contractor for tort or breach of contract claims.
D
In the alternative, the Liquidator requests this Court stay the current matter pending resolution of the liquidation proceeding in Franklin Circuit Court under the principles of Colorado River Water Conservation Dist. v. United States. The Supreme Court has recognized that situations exist where a federal court should abstain from exercising jurisdiction over a case that "involves substantially the same issues and substantially the same parties as a parallel case in state court." Total Renal Care, Inc. v. Childers Oil Co. , 743 F.Supp.2d 609, 612 (E.D. Ky. 2010) (citing Colorado River Water Conservation Dist. v. United States , 424 U.S. 800, 817-21, 96 S.Ct. 1236, 47 L.Ed.2d 483 (1976) ). However, because "federal courts have a strict duty to exercise the jurisdiction that is conferred upon them by Congress," Quackenbush v. Allstate Ins. Co. , 517 U.S. 706, 716, 116 S.Ct. 1712, 135 L.Ed.2d 1 (1996), abstention "is an extraordinary and narrow exception to the duty of a District Court to adjudicate a controversy properly before it." Colorado River , 424 U.S. at 813, 96 S.Ct. 1236 (quoting Cty. Of Allegheny v. Frank Mashuda Co. , 360 U.S. 185, 188-89, 79 S.Ct. 1060, 3 L.Ed.2d 1163 (1959) ); see also Gray v. Bush , 628 F.3d 779, 783 (6th Cir. 2010). For this reason, "Only the 'clearest of justifications' will support abstention." RSM Richter, Inc. v. Behr Am., Inc. , 729 F.3d 553, 557 (6th Cir. 2013) (quoting Rouse v. DaimlerChrysler Corp. , 300 F.3d 711, 715 (6th Cir. 2002) ).
In order to determine whether abstention under Colorado River is appropriate, the Court must first determine whether there are parallel actions proceeding in both state and federal courts. Romine v. Compuserve Corp. , 160 F.3d 337, 339 (6th Cir. 1998). If "the parities are substantially similar," and "the claims raised in both suits are predicated on the same allegations as to the same material facts," the actions "will come close enough to count as parallel." Preferred Care of Del., Inc. v. VanArsdale , 676 F. App'x 388, 393 (6th Cir. 2017) (quoting Romine , 160 F.3d at 340 ). The Liquidator points to Preferred Care of Delaware, Inc. to show that this case, albeit concerning arbitration, is parallel to Gaither v. Beam. [R. 6 at 25.] While the subject of arbitration does not foreclose abstention under Colorado River , the parallel cases of Preferred Care of Delaware both turned on the same legal question: whether, under the alternative dispute resolution agreement, VanArsdale had to arbitrate his claims against Preferred Care. Preferred Care , 676 F. App'x at 394. Both here and in Gaither v. Beam , the initial question involves the enforceability of the arbitration clause. This finding, however, does not end the analysis. When actions are parallel, the Court must then balance eight separate factors to determine whether abstention would be appropriate:
(1) whether the state court has assumed jurisdiction over any res or property; (2) whether the federal forum is less convenient to the parties; (3) avoidance of piecemeal litigation; . (4) the order in which jurisdiction was obtained . (5) whether the source of governing law is state or federal . (6) the adequacy of the state court action to protect the federal plaintiff's rights . (7) the relative progress of the state and federal proceedings . and (8) the presence or absence of concurrent jurisdiction....
Romine , 160 F.3d at 340-41. These factors are not a checklist, but rather considerations for the Court when using its discretion to abstain in a matter.
First, this action does not involve res or property. The res involved in the liquidation proceedings in Franklin Circuit Court are not at issue in this case. Additionally, the federal forum is located less than a quarter of a mile from the state forum, providing no more or less convenience to the parties. Furthermore, the state court action would not adequately protect Milliman's rights, given that Kentucky precedent is dictated by Ernst & Young , which allows for reverse preemption of the FAA and denial of Milliman's petition for arbitration. Thus, the first, second, and sixth factors squarely oppose abstention.
Factors three, four, and seven relate to the parallel proceeding in state court. Here, there is no danger of piecemeal litigation. While similar, the contracts involved in Gaither v. Beam are all different, and all include different provisions and protections. Resolving the contract dispute between the Liquidator and Milliman does not impact the resolution of other disputes and brings no danger of disparate judgments. Again, arbitration in this matter does not affect the liquidation proceedings and the policy holders. Thus, because there is no danger of piecemeal litigation, the third factor does not encourage abstention.
While Franklin Circuit Court first obtained jurisdiction, the primary focus of the litigation in the parallel proceeding has concerned the liability of Janie Miller and Joseph Smith, neither of which are a party to this matter in federal court. [R. 14 at 40-41.] This Court has spent the last two years hearing oral arguments and conducting briefing on this specific arbitration issue, while the parties indicate that the Franklin Circuit Court has not yet considered it. So, while factor four favors abstention, the time spent debating this issue in federal court far exceeds the time devoted to this issue in state court, and factor seven strongly weighs against abstention. Factors five and eight relate to the jurisdiction and choices of law in both forums. Both forums have concurrent jurisdiction, and both courts could rule on the enforceability of arbitration. The issues relating to contract law and the IRLL are matters of Kentucky law, while the questions involving the McCarran-Ferguson Act and the FAA are matters of federal law. The Franklin Circuit Court could certainly rule on this issue, but so can this Court. Such factors do not clearly support abstention.
Without the "clearest of justifications" that abstention is proper, the Court has a duty to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by Congress.
RSM Richter, Inc. v. Behr Am., Inc. , 729 F.3d 553, 557 (6th Cir. 2013) ; Quackenbush v. Allstate Ins. Co. , 517 U.S. 706, 716, 116 S.Ct. 1712, 135 L.Ed.2d 1 (1996). After weighing all eight factors, only factor four suggests abstention is appropriate, while several other factors strongly oppose abstention. Accordingly, the Court finds that the narrow exception to jurisdiction provided by Colorado River abstention does not apply to this matter.
III
This court has "no more right to decline the exercise of jurisdiction which is given, than to usurp that which is not given." Cohens v. Virginia , 19 U.S. 264, 404, 6 Wheat. 264, 19 U.S. 264 (1821). Absent "exceptional circumstances," the Court has a duty to exercise its jurisdiction, and no such circumstances occur in this case. Nor does the Liquidator present any other situation where abstention or dismissal is appropriate here. The parties agreed to arbitrate and are thus bound by their contract. Accordingly, and the Court being sufficiently advised, it is hereby ORDERED as follows:
1. The Petition to Compel Arbitration by Petitioners Milliman, Inc. and Rachel Killian [R. 1 ] is GRANTED ;
2. The Liquidator's Motion to Dismiss [R. 6 ] is DENIED ;
3. The Oral Argument in this matter, scheduled for November 14, 2018, [R. 22 ] is CANCELLED;
4. Milliman, Inc.'s Motion for Hearing regarding the date of oral argument [R. 23 ] is DENIED AS MOOT;
5. The Liquidator is hereby COMPELLED to resolve her claims in arbitration;
6. Pursuant to 9 U.S.C. § 3, further proceedings in this matter are STAYED pending arbitration; and
7. The State Court matter, insofar as it relates to the claims between the Liquidator and Milliman, Inc., is STAYED pending arbitration.
While this matter was not filed until 2018, the Court has thoroughly considered and decided identical conflicts between the FAA and the IRLL in two companion cases: Atkins v. CGI Techs. & Sols., Inc. , 3:16-cv-00037-GFVT and Beam Partners, LLC, v. Atkins , 3:17-cv-0004-GFVT.