{"argument_date":"2006-02-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-02-27T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","paragraphs":["Freno stated Medicaid paid over $215,000 for care.","Blair noted settlement proceeds were less than total damages.","Millett argued private parties often deplete settlement funds first."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 1-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 1-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-7"}]}],"caption":"Arkansas Dept. of Health and Human Servs. v. Ahlborn","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.754144Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Arkansas seeks full medical reimbursement from a reduced settlement. Ahlborn argues the state must accept a proportional share.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-02-27T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/04-1506.html","primary_docket":"04-1506","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:50:24.504261Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["A state Medicaid program paid for accident care. The recipient later received a smaller settlement. The state wants its full costs back. The recipient wants a reduced payment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 27, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Arkansas wants full reimbursement of its medical costs.","Ahlborn wants to pay only a proportional share."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Arkansas argues it is entitled to full recovery.","Ahlborn argues the state must accept a reduced share."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Stevens questioned how a settlement occurred without notice.","Justice Breyer asked if parties can settle claims unilaterally."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 1-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 1-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-7"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines state recovery limits. It affects Medicaid budgets nationwide. It determines how settlements allocate costs. It impacts patient financial liability."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 1-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 1-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-7"}]}],"slug":"2005-04-1506-arkansas-dept-of-health-and-human-servs-v-ahlborn","term":"2005","title":"Does Medicaid recover full medical costs from a reduced settlement?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 45-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 45-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1506.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 7-33"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}