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Health Law and Policy

William Mitchell Law Review

Federal preemption (Labor law)

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Aetna V. Davila/Cigna V. Calad: A Missed Opportunity, Leonard A. Nelson Jan 2005

Aetna V. Davila/Cigna V. Calad: A Missed Opportunity, Leonard A. Nelson

William Mitchell Law Review

On June 21, 2004, the United States Supreme Court decided the health law “case of the year” in the two consolidated cases of Aetna Health, Inc. v. Davila and CIGNA HealthCare of Texas, Inc. v. Calad. The Court held that section 502(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) “completely preempt[s]” and thus invalidates the tort liability provisions of the Texas Health Care Liability Act (THCLA). The case could potentially affect the rights of millions of Americans in a matter of vital concern—whether they will receive the health insurance coverage promised them if they become unable to …