New developments in 'any willing provider' laws

As the debate over healthcare reform continues, the controversy concerning "any willing provider" laws also continues. "Any willing provider" laws require a healthcare insurer (or managed care organization) to establish criteria that a provider must meet in order to participate as a network provider. Such laws prohibit an insurer from denying any provider willing to meet those criteria from participating as a network provider. Proponents of any willing provider laws cite the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to review a lower court ruling finding in favor of a hospital as validation of such laws.