Document: 450 U.S. 147 101 S.Ct. 1032 67 L.Ed.2d 132 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES et al.v.FLORIDA NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION al. No. 80-532. March 2, 1981. Rehearing Denied April 20, See 451 933, 2008. M. Stephen Turner, Culpepper, Beatty & Tallahassee, Fla., for petitioners. A. Thomas Mihok, Dempsey Slaughter, P.A., Orlando, Shaw Warner, Miami, respondents. Bill Allain, Atty. Gen., Jim R. Bruce, II, Sp. Asst. State of Miss., Jackson, Francis X. Bellotti, Mitchell J. Sikora, Jr., Scott Smith, Attys. Com. Mass., Boston, Warren Spannaus, William P. Marshall, Minn., St. Paul, Tyrone C. Fahner, Springfield, Ill., James O'Connell, David Schlanger, Chicago petitioners as amici curiae. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioners, the Florida Department Health and Rehabilitative Services its Secretary, seek review a decision United States Court Appeals Fifth Circuit ordering them to make payments various nursing homes. These represent amount that was found have underpaid these homes in course Medicaid reimbursements from July 1, 1976, October 18, 1977. Because we conclude court below misapplied prevailing standard finding waiver State's immunity under Eleventh Amendment, grant writ certiorari reverse. 2 * In 1972, Congress amended Program provide every "skilled facility intermediate care facility" must be reimbursed by participating on "cost related basis." 86 Stat. 1426, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13)(E). This amendment take effect ibid., had altering some reimbursement arrangements based "flat rates" established States. Regulations implementing this change were not promulgated Health, Education, Welfare (HEW) until 1976. As result, regulations provided HEW would enforce new related" requirement January 1978. 45 CFR 250.30(a)(3)(iv) (1976).1 3 1977, respondents, an association individual southern Florida, brought suit federal against Secretary They argued delay enforcement created inconsistent with statutory directive cost-related begin addition prospective relief, they sought retroactive relief form difference between received since amounts system. The District Southern held invalid, relying previous Golden Isles Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Califano, 442 F.Supp. 201 (1977), aff'd 616 F.2d 1355 (CA5), cert. denied sub nom. Taylor Con- valescent Inc., 449 872, 562, 66 466 (1980). two cases consolidated consideration availability such barred Amendment. 4 On appeal, affirmed ruling but reversed Court's determination (1980).2 acknowledged monetary is forbidden Amendment "if consented state." Id., at 1362. It requisite consent, however, acts State. First, law provides "body corporate" capacity "sue sued," Fla.Stat. 402.34 (1979). F.2d, 1363. general sovereign immunity, specific Amendment's agreement which agreed "recognize abide all Federal Laws, Regulations, Guidelines applicable participation administration of, Title XIX Program." Ibid. "By contracting appellants bound laws program, state has expressly waived regarding any action providers alleging breach laws." II 5 analysis case controlled our Edelman Jordan, 415 651, 94 1347, 39 662 (1974). There applied 150 grants welfare benefits discussed proper latter issue stated "we will find only where 'by most express language or overwhelming implications text [will] leave no room other reasonable construction.' " 673, S.Ct., 1361, quoting Murray Wilson Distilling Co., 213 151, 171, 29 458, 464, 53 L.Ed. 742 (1909). We added "mere fact participates program through Government assistance operation system public aid sufficient establish consent part sued courts." U.S., 1361. 6 holding below, case, cannot reconciled principles set out Edelman. recognized, "does constitute constitutional court." Smith Reeves, 178 436, 441, 20 919, 921, 44 1140 (1900). And explicitly obey administering can hardly deemed immunity. merely customary condition State, already neither itself, nor concomitant law, waive protection Amendment.3 673-674, 1360-1361. 7 therefore reverse below. 8 so ordered. 9 Justice BRENNAN, dissenting. 10 I dissent affirm judgment Appeals. citizens officials. circumstance am view, expressed 687, 1367, (1974), "may invoke bars suits States." MARSHALL dissents Appeals, substantially reasons his 688, 1368, 11 BLACKMUN also MARSHALL'S 12 STEVENS, concurring. 13 square conflict 662. Apparently recognizing fact, respondents urge hear argument question whether should overruled.1 less easily answered than do my Brothers, whom Members when decided. Each voted today consistently vote itself. 14 arguments favor overruling are appealing, particularly because share opinion MARSHALL, incorrectly decided.2 previously reliedon rather slender grounds distinguishing Edelman,3 wiser judges might forthrightly urged rejection precedent.4 joined overrule Monroe Pape, 365 167, 81 473, 492, insofar it concerned financial responsibility municipal corporations. Monell New York City Dept. Social Services, 436 658, 714, 98 2018, 2048, 56 611, (STEVENS, J., concurring part). Moreover, reflections former doctrine stare decisis suggest hesitated stands impediment providing adequate remedy injured their government.5 Nevertheless, greater force countervailing arguments. 15 note did announce rule fundamentally odds current understanding scope constitutionally protected civil rights,6 rest upon discredited interpretation relevant historical documents.7 Rather, limited significance been few years. Its limiting jurisdiction courts restrictive may mitigate impact unambiguously conditioning programs defense. represents endorsed finest Judges;8 characterized unreasonable egregiously incorrect.9 16 Of even importance, concern about potential damage legal caused frequent sudden reversals direction appear occasioned nothing more significant identity personnel.10 Granting zigzag sometimes best course.11 firmly convinced profound obligation give recently decided strongest presumption validity. Thatpresumption supported much desire foster appearance certainty impartiality justice, interest facilitating labors judges.12 essential thread mantle affords individual. Citizens confidence rules rely affairs—particularly prepared those power doing so—are opinions small group men who temporarily occupy high office.13 unpopular beleaguered individual—not man power—who greatest stake integrity law.14 17 For me, adverse consequences adhering arguably erroneous precedent far serious further unravelling decisis. join disposition. commentary accompanying regulations, noted able accumulate needed data time meet deadline reason, required 1978, "encouraged each soon possible." 41 Fed.Reg. 27305 (1976). remained appeal. produced separate petitions certiorari. first, denied, (1980), involved jurisdictional venue issues. present petition relates relief. Petitioners argue accomplished statute. Fla.Const., Art. 10, 13. No here. addition, worth noting 1976 repealed provision requiring Pub.L. 94-552, 90 2540. repeal made Respondents initially Appeals' distinguishable denied. However, after Solicitor General, behalf Human recommended summarily lower court's decision, requested instead consider Supplemental Brief Respondent Nursing Homes 4-13. sat member three-judge rejected essentially same accepted Mothers Childrens Rights Organization Sterrett, 70 F. 138 (ND Ind., Apr. 14, 1972) aff'd, 409 809, 93 68, 34 70; cited Edelman, 670, n.13, 1359, n.13. quite certain if Member Fitzpatrick Bitzer, 427 445, 458-460, 96 2666, 2672-2673, 49 614 concurring). 1949 Cardozo lecture, Douglas stated: "The idea body stay put flux interesting phenomenon Frank explored Law Modern Mind. He points how is—in fields too—that continue chant immutability order 'cover up transformation, deny reality change, conceal truth adaptation behind verbal disguise fixity universality.' But blunt, open, direct truer democratic traditions. reflects candor Cardozo. principle full disclosure place government does market place. A judiciary discloses what why breed understanding. enduring awe." W. Douglas, Stare Decisis 30-31 (1949) (footnote omitted). supra; Goldberg, Equal Justice: Era Supreme 67-97 (1971). Cf. Brown Board 347 483, 489-495, 74 686, 688-692, 873, Plessy Ferguson, 163 537, 1138, 256. Erie Co. Tompkins, 304 64, 71-73, 58 817, 818-820, 82 1188, Swift Tyson Pet. 865. Rothstein Wyman, 467 226, 228 (CA2 1972), adopted subsequently approved written Judge McGowan (sitting designation) Chief Friendly Timbers. 664-665, 666, n. 11, 1356, 1357, 11. principal justifications refusing apply 611; see id., 695-701, 2038-2041, available case. Scholars suggested personnel factor underlying National League Cities Usery, 426 833, 853-855, 2465, 2475-2476, 245, Maryland Wirtz, 392 183, 88 2017, 1020. See, e. g., Nowak, Young Rotunda, Constitutional 159-163 (1978). West Virginia Education Barnette, 319 624, 63 1178, 87 1628, Minersville School Gobitis, 310 586, 60 1010, 84 1375. concerns not, insubstantial: "[T]he labor increased almost breaking point past could reopened one lay one's own bricks secure foundation courses laid others gone before him." B. Cardozo, Nature Judicial Process 149 (1921). This, course, novel suggestion. first White Pollack Farmers' Loan Trust 157 429, 652, 716, 759: fundamental conception judicial hedged precedents binding without regard personality members. Break down belief continuity, let felt great questions depart settled conclusions predecessors, determine according mere fill bench, Constitution will, judgment, bereft value become dangerous instrument rights liberties people." THE CHIEF JUSTICE reminded us statement ascribed Sir More: "This country's planted thick coast Man's laws, God's-and you cut . d'you really think stand upright winds blow then? Yes, I'd Devil benefit safety's sake." TVA Hill, 437 153, 195, 2279, 2302, 57 117, Bolt, Man All Seasons, Act I, p. (Three Plays, Heinemann ed. 1967).

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