CVS withdraws Supreme Court case on disability rights, announces new partnership

The pharmacy chain CVS has reached an agreement with a coalition of disability rights organizations and has dropped a legal case that had reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The court was scheduled to hear the arguments of the dispute next month, and the verdict could have been handed down far-reaching effects on disability rights.

The company formally withdrew its complaint Thursday and announced a new partnership to work with four groups, including the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Disability Rights Education and Advocacy Fund.

“We have agreed to seek policy solutions in collaboration with the community of people with disabilities to help protect access to affordable health plan programs that apply equally to all members,” a CVS spokesman told CBS News. “Any other court proceedings will be conducted in the district court when the case is arrested.”

The case, CVS Pharmacy, Inc. against Doe, arose from a lawsuit filed against CVS by several people taking prescription drugs for HIV / AIDS. The plaintiffs objected to the changes to the company’s terms which meant that they could not opt ​​for mail-only shipping or use another pharmacy experienced in managing their special drug needs. They argued that it had a discriminatory impact on them, even if that was not the intention of the company.

“When he encouraged CVS to withdraw this case, the community of people with disabilities asked CVS to find a different regulatory or political place than the Supreme Court to address their concerns and agreed to work with CVS to do so,” Maria said. Town, President and CEO of AAPD. , he told CBS News in a statement.

“A core [tenet] of the Disability Rights Movement is “Nothing about us without us,” and that’s what this partnership achieves, “Town added.

CVS Health said the new partnership is based on its long-standing relationship with the community of people with disabilities and that they will explore solutions together.

Disability rights activists celebrated the news of the deal when it was first announced on Wednesday.

When the case was first heard in the trial court, the judge ruled that the issues described by the plaintiffs did not violate federal disability laws. But when they appealed, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the unnamed plaintiffs.

CVS then appealed to the Supreme Court, saying in court that the ruling “would change insurance plans and skyrocket health care costs across the country.” Judges agreed to take the case and scheduled the arguments for Dec. 7, but both sides have now asked the court to dismiss the case.

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