Ann Barone, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that New Jersey's Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Act's limitation of benefits to disabled persons who receive Social Security Disability Insurance is constitutional under both the federal and state equal protection clauses because it is rationally related to the legitimate governmental interest of minimizing administrative costs and maximizing available funds. Justice STEIN dissented, arguing that the rational basis test was applied to the wrong class and that the exclusion lacks a rational basis.