Overnight Health Care — Judge deals setback for surprise billing rules

Welcome to Thursday’s Overnight Health Care, where we’re following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup. 

There’s a lot going on in the world, so as a pick-me-up, here’s a Good Boy.  

A Texas judge gave a win to doctors in a lawsuit in the latest twist in the battle over surprise medical billing.  

For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com), Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com), and Joseph Choi (jchoi@thehill.com). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 @NateWeixel and @JosefChoi 

Let’s get started. 

Judge strikes part of surprise billing rules

The surprise billing saga continues.  

A federal judge in Texas on Wednesday struck down part of the Biden administration’s regulations protecting patients from getting stuck with “surprise” medical bills when they see the doctor, in a win for doctors who sued to block part of the rules. 

The ruling leaves in place the protections for patients against getting bills for thousands of dollars in situations such as going to the emergency room and later finding out one of the doctors was not covered by their insurance.  

But it strikes down part of the regulations that govern how much insurers will pay doctors once the patient is taken out of the middle. 

The ruling, from Judge Jeremy Kernodle, an appointee of former President TrumpDonald TrumpJudge strikes down part of Biden surprise billing rules in win for doctors Overnight Defense & National Security — More Western pressure as Russia moves in Jan. 6 defendant who said ‘this is war’ on social media sentenced to 45 days in jail MORE, is the latest in a long-running fight over the details of the rules. 

The Texas Medical Association, which brought the case in question, is one of several doctor and hospital groups that have sued, arguing the details of the rules would lead to damaging cuts to their payments and benefit insurance companies. 

Many experts and consumer groups have defended the Biden administration’s rules, arguing that doctors are simply seeking to protect inflated payments. 

Experts warn that if doctors groups get their way, it could lead to higher premiums for consumers once the higher prices are passed on to them. 

Kernodle ruled that the Biden administration had departed from the text of the law passed by Congress in 2020 in issuing its regulations. 

Read more here.  

LA relaxing indoor mask rules 

Los Angeles County is relaxing its indoor mask requirements as the spread of COVID-19 reduces in the area. 

Beginning Friday, various establishments, businesses and venues are permitted to make masking optional for individuals that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a statement on Wednesday from the county’s public health department. The scaled-back regulations will also apply to fully vaccinated employees. 

What the new rules say: Establishments must verify that all customers ages five and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they enter the indoor space, according to the county. 

Customers who present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test will also be…