Legal Document

417 U.S. 484 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2485 41 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 256 Dwight GEDULDIG, etc., Appellant,v.Carolyn AIELLO et al. Number 73—640. Argued March 26, 1974. Decided June 17, Syllabus California has a disability insurance system for private employees temporarily disabled from working by an injury or illness not covered workmen's compensation, under which employee contributes to Unemployment Compensation Disability Fund one percent of his salary up annual maximum $85. A lasting less than eight days is compensable, except when the hospitalized. Benefits are payable single exceeding 26 weeks. resulting individual's court commitment as dipsomaniac, drug addict, sexual psychopath nor certain disabilities attributable pregnancy. Appellees, four women otherwise qualified program who have suffered employment because pregnancies, only was normal, challenged pregnancy exclusion. three-judge District upheld their contention that exclusion violated Equal Protection Clause. The denied motion reconsider based on state appellate ruling, in appellant administers acquiesced, confining normal pregnancies. program, terms level benefits and risks insured, structured maintain solvency at one-percent contribution. acknowledged coverage pregnancies would entail substantial additional expense. But it concluded this increased cost could be accommodated through adjustments rate contribution, payable, 'and other variables affecting program.' Held: 1. ruling administrative guidelines excluding mooted case three appellees had abnormal whose claims now been paid. Pp. 491—492. 2. California's decision insure its risk does constitute invidious discrimination violative discriminate with respect persons groups eligible protection, there no evidence discriminates against any definable group class aggregate protection derived program. sole asserted under-inclusiveness program's result State required Clause sacrifice self-supporting nature reduce disabilities, increase contribution just provide another disability, such '(T)he require must choose between attacking every aspect problem all.' Dandridge versus Williams, 397 471, 486—487, 90 1153, 1162, 25 491. 492—497. D.C., 359 F.Supp. 792, reversed. Joanne Condas, San Francisco, Cal., appellant. Wendy W. Berkeley, appellees. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 For almost 30 years administered pays unable work compensation. brought action challenge constitutionality provision that, defining 'disability,' excludes Because sought enjoin enforcement statute, convened pursuant 28 Code KF62 §§ 2281 2284.1 On appellees' summary judgment, Court, divided vote, held violates Fourteenth Amendment, therefore enjoined continued enforcement. 792. stay judgment pending appeal. thereupon filed similar we granted. Hansen Aiello, 414 897, 208, 38 142. We subsequently noted probable jurisdiction 1110, 838, 736. 2 * funded entirely contributions deducted wages participating employees. Participation mandatory unless protected voluntary plan approved State.2 Each contribute salary, $85.3 These placed Fund, established special trust fund within treasury.4 It 3 An individual if, during one-year base period prior he contributed minimum income $300 Fund.5 In event suffers compensable can receive 'weekly benefit amount' $25 $105, depending amount earned highest quarter period.6 paid until eighth day hospitalized, commence first hospitalization.7 addition amount,' hospitalized entitled 'additional benefits' $12 per hospitalization.8 'Weekly amounts' weeks so long total exceed one-half received period.9 'Additional 20 days.10 4 return insured stemming number 'mental physical illness(es) mental injur(ies).' Cal.Unemp.Ins.Code § 2626. disabling condition, however, triggers obligation pay As already noted, example, days' duration Conversely, beyond Further, if results psychopath.11 Finally, 2626 Insurance issue present case. 5 Appellant Director Department Human Resources Development.12 He responsible administration State's Appellees sufficient amounts into became pregnant her With appellees, Carolyn Augustina Armendariz, Elizabeth Johnson, were complications encountered pregnancies.13 fourth, Jacqueline Jaramillo, experienced pregnancy, cause disability. 6 At all times relevant case, provided: 7 "Disability' 'disabled' includes both injury. shall deemed which, perform regular customary work. term 'disability' include caused arising connection termination thereafter.' (Emphasis added.) construed applied final sentence statute preclude payment result, ruled ineligible reason provision, they sued finding 'that pregnancy-related upon classification having rational relationship legitimate purpose,' unconstitutional F.Supp., 801. 8 Shortly before Court's Appeal, suit woman ectopic bar account medical Rentzer Appeals Board, 32 Cal.App.3d 604, 108 Cal.Rptr. 336 (1973).14 accompanying pregnancy.15 acquiesced construction issued exclude 'maternity i.e., hospitalization delivery recuperation. 9 Although decided some 10 apparently opportunity call court's attention it. appellant, therefore, asked light Appeal given By reconsideration. more definitive surely preferable, interpret denial appellant's determination affected limiting Rentzer. revised resulted it, causes delivery, since appellee stemmed solely childbirth, continues benefits. evident Jaramillo live controversy validity change worked application provision. Thus, appeal whether invidiously others similarly situated paying accompanies childbirth. II 11 clear intended establish function essentially accordance concepts.16 Since instituted 1946, totally self-supporting, never drawing general revenues finance hospital wholly supported annually oral argument, counsel informed us recent 90% 103% revenue out This history strongly suggests rate, being easily computable, bears close 12 Over demonstrated strong above level. broadest possible affordable employees, including those very low incomes. larger percentage flat dollar-amount impose increasingly regressive levy bearing most heavily lowest incomes, resisted attempt thus structured, contribution.17 13 ordering these extraordinarily expensive impossible included.' 798. There considerable disagreement parties how great costs actually be, but clearly substantial.18 purposes analysis accepted estimate, excess $100 million annually, stated: '(I)t destroy quite making reasonable changes allowable, Ibid. 14 'variables'—the appropriate compensate selected chosen same time permit low-income participate minimal personal sacrifice—represents policy State. essential requires policies sacrificed compromised order delivery. 15 cannot agree relates underinclusiveness set insure. created risks, reflected exacted consistently Clause, 'may take step time, addressing itself phase seems acute legislative mind. . legislature may select field apply remedy there, neglecting others. .' Williamson Lee Optical Co., 348 483, 489, 75 461, 465, 99 L.Ed. 563 (1955); Jefferson Hackney, 406 535, 92 1724, 285 (1972). Particularly social welfare programs, line drawn rationally supportable, courts will interpose stopping point. 491 (1970). 16 suggested moderate alterations what regarded 'variables' made accommodate expense protection. said, excluded coverage—short-term disabilities. If thought compel payments hard perceive why also short-term employees.19 17 comprehensive substantially costly inevitably subsidy, higher lower scale suffering combination measures. nothing Constitution, subordinate compromise interests create has. 18 interest maintaining Similarly, distributing available resources way keep adequate covered, rather cover inadequately. concern unduly burden particularly need insurance. 19 objective noninvidious basis record selection program.20 men not. Likewise, not.21 simply contends although she equivalent provided outside reasons stated, hold valid Amendment. 21 heretofore vacated, 22 Reversed. 23 BRENNAN, whom DOUGLAS MARSHALL join, dissenting. 24 Relying (1970), (1972), today rejects equal claim upholds normal-pregnancy-related ground promotes cost-saving 'maintaining program(,) (and) ..' Ante, 249. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions believe Reed Reed, 404 71, 251, 225 (1971), Frontiero Richardson, 411 677, 93 1764, 36 583 (1973), mandate stricter standard scrutiny fails satisfy, respectfully dissent. enacted supplement unemployment compensation programs providing wage earners cushion economic effects loss expenses sickness legislature's intent enacting expressed 2601 Code: 'The purpose part sustained individuals unemployed therefrom. liberally aid declared mitigate evils burdens fall worker family.' 27 To achieve Act's broad humanitarian goals, fashioned pooled-risk covering contribution,1 regardless risk.2 requirement satisfied becomes period. 2652. 'basic benefits,' varying $119 week, employee's base-period earnings, begin hospitalization. 2655, 2627(b), 2802. weeks, earnings. 2653. virtually conditions without regard cost, voluntariness, uniqueness, predictability, 'normalcy' disability.3 workers compensated heart attacks, cosmetic surgery sterilization, unique sex race prostatectomies sickle-cell anemia, pre-existing degenerative arthritis cataracts, 'normal' removal irritating wisdom teeth orthodontia. Despite Code's goals scope coverage, pregnancy—disabilities women. 2626, 2626.2 (Supp.1974). Disabilities like physically Code, care, often hospitalization, anesthesia surgical procedures, involve genuine life.4 Moreover, functionally indistinguishable disability: lost due inability work, incurred child postpartum care.5 my view, singling favorable treatment gender-linked peculiar women, double compensation: limitation imposed recover, while full suffered, affect primarily sex, prostatectomies, circumcision, hemophilia, gout. effect, rules females males. Such dissimilar characteristics inextricably linked constitutes discrimination. 29 conclusion reached Employment Opportunity Commission, federal agency charged Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964, amended 1972, 42 2000e seq. (1970 ed., Supp. II), prohibits sex. designed prohibit disparate context,6 EEOC declared: 'Disabilities miscarriage, abortion, chidbirth, recovery therefrom are, job-related purposes, temporary should treated health sick leave employment. Written unwritten practices involving matters commencement leave, availability extensions, accrual seniority privileges, reinstatement, plan, formal informal, childbirth disabilities.' Federal Regulations 1604.10(b).7 31 past, turned gender, justifiably judicial strict generally accorded programs. Compare Yet, today, appears willing abandon review satisfactorily explaining differentiates gender-based employed found Frontiero. threatens 'traditional' classifications differently members particular See, e.g., Muller Oregon, 208 412, 324, 52 551 (1908); Goesaert Cleary, 335 464, 69 198, 163 (1948); Hoyt Florida, 368 57, 82 159, 118 (1961). join apparent retreat. continue adhere view 'classifications race, alienage, national origin, inherently suspect, subjected scrutiny.' supra, U.S., 688, 1771. When, employs distinguishes beneficiaries reference '(t)he free sustain governmental interests; rather, suspect demonstrating legislation serves overriding compelling achieved either carefully tailored use feasible, drastic means.' Kahn Shevin, 416 351, 357—358, 1734, 1738, 40 189 (1974) (Brennan, J., dissenting). 33 failed meet essence justification scheme too costly. sure, presently funded, inclusion 'would program.'8 495. maintained increasing raising lifting yearly ceiling, securing subsidies. whatever role monetary considerations play traditional analysis, preserving fiscal integrity render constitutional. 'a programs(,) accomplish distinctions classes citizens. saving justify classification.' Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 633, 89 1322, 1330, 600 (1969). statutory subject scrutiny, 'must do show denying (benefits class) saves money.' Memorial Hospital Maricopa County, 415 250, 263, 1076, 1085, 39 306 (1974). See Graham 403 365, 374—375, 91 1848, 1853—1854, 534 (1971).9 34 variety drastic, sexually neutral means. observed: 35 'Even using (the State's) estimate expanding entire estimated defendant met requiring approximately .364 about $119.' affirm litigation began two separate suits behalf Aiello jointly initiated petition writ Both actions unconstitutionality removed where consolidated. 1441(b). West's Ann.Cal.Unemp.Ins.Code 3251—3254. 984, 985, 2901. 3001. 2655. amended, effective July 1, 1974, weekly $119. 2627(b) 2801. Section 2608 provides formula determining condition intermittent applying limitations 2653 2801 payable. 2678. Sections 2675—2677 contain various factors disqualify receiving relate condition. Effective Development renamed Development. 301 Johnson tubal respectively, terminate Armendariz miscarriage. earlier decision, female Clark Stabilization Comm'n, 166 Cal.App.2d 326, 332 Pacific Reporter, 2nd 716 (1958). later new added, reflect interpretation. sections follows: illness, injury, and, extent specified 2626.2, work.' 'Benefits relating following: '(a) doctor's certification claimant involuntary complication limited to: puerperal infection, eclampsia, caesarian section toxemia. '(b) possibly disable diabetes, embolism, disease, hypertension, phlebitis, phlebothrombosis, pyelonephritis, thrombophlebitis, vaginitis, varicose veins, venous thrombosis.' amendments took effect January message proposing creation Governor Earl Warren 'It obtain companies adequately cheaply obtained diverting cent support Program.' Senate Journal, Jan. 23, Page 229. Garcia Industrial Accident Cal.2d 689, 692, 263 8, (1953) (internal quotation marks omitted). 2604 vests authority modify waiting eligibility steps necessary forestall insolvency Fund. neither authorized circumstances. Appellant's varied $120.2 $131 33% 36% hand, $48.9 12% over expenditures. said continuing dissenting contrary, far cry cases gender such. anyone merely removes condition—pregnancy—from list While true become follow concerning sex-based considered Frontiero, supra. Normal objectively identifiable characteristics. Absent showing mere pretexts other, lawmakers constitutionally basis, lack identity cursory analysis. divides potential recipients groups—pregnant nonpregnant persons. exclusively female, second sexes. actuarial accrue Indeed, submitted data indicated greater men. acknowledged, 'women back benefits.' 800. Several amici curiae represented experience wages, $85 year ($90 calendar 1974 thereafter). ceiling course, introduces element scheme. Perhaps recognition fact, schedule grant proportionately poorly workers. deliberately classify data. tied group's predicted claims. technically dipsomania, addiction, psychopathy, Unemp.Ins.Code 2678, Deputy Attorney General argument fairly archaic practice' 'it unrealistic say exclusions.' Tr. Oral Arg. 13. 2, American College Obstetricians Gynecologists adopted following Policy Statement Pregnancy-related Disabilities: 'Pregnancy physiological process. All patients, variable degree below, usual activities. (1) uncomplicated occurs near labor, puerperium. process labor puerperium itself. six (2) Complications occur give rise Examples toxemia, hemorrhage, abortion. (3) disease disabling, Certain patients hypertensive cardiovascular renal systemic adverse conditions. onset, related determined physician.' Brief 59—60. Nearly two-thirds necessity: unmarried husbands earn $7,000 year. Labor, Women's Bureau, Why Women Work (rev. ed. 1972); Standards Administration, Myth Reality (May rev.). recognized 353, 1736, (1974), 'data compiled Bureau Labor 1972 median 57.9% males—a figure points 1955.' (Footnote omitted.) Commission scrutinized employer crucial impact then Guidelines after systematic pervasive frequently employers' childbearing role, performed women.' Amicus Curiae 10. proposed Sex Discrimination Exec. Order 11246, adopting EEOC's guideline. Fed.Reg. 35337, 35338 (Dec. 27, 1973) (proposed 60—20.3(h)(2)). However, '(i)t important remember, especially cast context, disabled, collect pay. Therefore, follows alleged financial greatly diminished employers treat allowing accumulated well.' n. 12. Sex, defense title VIII charge other.' 1604.9(e).

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