White v. Beal

555 F.2d 1146 (1977)

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White v. Beal

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
555 F.2d 1146 (1977)

Facts

Under the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s (DPW) Title XIX Social Security Act (the act) medical-assistance regulations, eyeglasses were covered only for the treatment of eye disease. Disadvantaged individuals needing glasses to correct refractive error but who did not have a diagnosed eye disease (the applicants) (plaintiffs) were found ineligible for coverage under DPW’s regulations. The applicants brought suit against DPW Secretary Frank Beal (defendant), contending that DPW’s plan violated the act by basing eligibility on disability cause instead of medical necessity. The applicants submitted affidavits from two eye doctors stating that, in some cases, an individual with refractive error but no eye disease can be more visually impaired than an individual with an eye disease. The physicians also indicated that glasses are not a helpful treatment for most eye diseases but are useful in correcting refractive errors. The district court found in the applicants’ favor. DPW appealed, arguing that the state appropriately exercised its discretion in limiting eyeglass coverage to individuals with eye disease or pathology whom DPW considered the most in need.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Wies, J.)

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