Several of the arguments in this case have credence on their face for different reasons.
There is the idea of an agreement or contract: “I do this, if you do that.” One should not break a contract carelessly.
Or, the “fairness” argument where one side seems to want to change the rules after the game started; that doesn’t seem right.
And, then there’s the constitutional rule of law argument: Congress holds the power of the purse when it comes to public monies. Enough said.
Bottom line…and in a different case, Qliance found this out the hard way…when you get in bed with the gov’t, expect to get screwed!
Forum for Healthcare Freedom
This occurs in large part due to price insensitivity on the consumer-patient side due to the low marginal cost of entry compared to the inflated CPT billed charges which serve as a pivot point for network discounts. i.e. ~ once a co-pay is paid, patients don’t have any incentive to know or care what is done or how much it costs. 
