While it would not authorize suits, it would subject health plans to prosecution if they disobeyed the finding of an external review panel.

The majority ruled that Congress had not authorized suits against foreign governments for the kinds of claims the former prisoners asserted.

The Court struck down two Federal laws, both enacted in 1992 to authorize suits against states for violations of Federal patent and trademark laws.

The statute authorizes suits against the insurance companies in the California courts.

But in 2003, in a different case, the Supreme Court authorized such suits.

That law, usually called Section 1983, authorizes suits for damages for the deprivation of "any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws."

One exception authorizes suits "in which rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue" in connection with "commercial activity."

The law protects employees against discrimination on the basis of age beginning at age 40 and authorizes suits for damages in federal court.

The statutes were passed to authorize suits by slaves who said they were held improperly - because they were white, for example.

To what purpose would it be to authorize suits against States for the debts they owe?