With help from Darius Tahir (@DariusTahir) and Arthur Allen (@ArthurAllen202 )

SUPREME COURT REJECTS TELEMEDICINE CASE: A case that could have had huge implications for the ability of telemedicine providers to treat patients without an in-person exam first won’t make its way to the nation’s highest court. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear the case of Ron Hines, a Texas veterinarian who was offering by phone his professional opinion about animals he had never laid hands on, a violation of state regulations. The scenario should sound familiar to direct-to-consumer telemedicine companies that are waging similar battles in other states, including in the Lone Star State, but with human patients. Hines said the Texas regulations violated his first amendment rights. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Hines broke Texas law, however, and SCOTUS's refusal effectively kills his hopes.

Of course, Texas continues to be the center of attention in the telemedicine battle. Teladoc and the Texas Medical Board are embroiled in litigation that could kill the company’s business by requiring an in-person exam before telemedicine services are offered. Teladoc has sued, saying the regulation is anti-competitive, and for now it's continuing to operate in the state, under an injunction.