Justice Department Asks Supreme Court to Limit Rule Blocks

The government challenges whether courts can invalidate federal regulations entirely or only grant relief to specific plaintiffs.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Law

Justice Department Asks Supreme Court to Limit Rule Blocks

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Should courts be able to strike down federal regulations for everyone?

The Justice Department filed a Supreme Court petition on October 14, 2026, in Department of Health and Human Services v. Texas Medical Association. The petition asks whether courts can invalidate federal agency regulations altogether or limit relief to the specific plaintiffs, and does not challenge the finding that the disputed provisions were unlawful.

Why it matters

The administration argues a court decision should not automatically prevent enforcement against non-parties, which could let a regulation keep operating more broadly despite a judicial finding against it. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the question.

The petition was filed October 14, 2026, and seeks review of an August 11, 2026 Fifth Circuit decision on surprise medical billing rules. The Supreme Court's June 2025 ruling restricting universal injunctions frames the current dispute, and the justices have not yet taken up the question.

The players

Department of Health and Human Services

The federal agency whose regulations implementing surprise medical billing protections are at the center of the litigation.

The details

The challengers include the Texas Medical Association, a hospital, and air-ambulance providers, who sued over regulations implementing legislation against unexpected medical charges. The Administrative Procedure Act governs judicial review of federal agency actions, and the government's petition centers on the scope of relief courts may grant.

June 2025: Supreme Court restricted universal injunctions.
August 11, 2026: Fifth Circuit issued the decision under review.
October 14, 2026: Justice Department filed its Supreme Court petition.

Political Context

The petition follows the Supreme Court's June 2025 decision restricting universal injunctions, extending that limit from injunction scope to whether regulations themselves can be set aside. The Administrative Procedure Act's review framework remains the governing standard for resolving the question.

If the government's interpretation prevails, federal regulations could remain enforceable against parties not involved in a lawsuit even after a court finds them unlawful. That would affect how medical billing protections and other federal rules are challenged in court.

The takeaway

The Supreme Court's answer will determine whether a single court ruling can halt a federal regulation for everyone or only for those who sued. Readers should watch whether the justices agree to hear the case.