(August 17, 2015, 10:34 AM EDT) -- LOS ANGELES — Briefing on a plastic surgeon’s claim that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) preempts California’s prohibition on balance billing belies her claim that the ban is “patently” unconstitutional, a federal judge held July 23 in denying her motion for reconsideration. On Aug. 4, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal with the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (Jeannette Martello v. Shelley Rouillard, et al., No. 15-1798, C.D. Calif.; 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97129).

(Order available. Document #93-150819-013R.)

In December 2010,...