Mr Gore's lawyers filed an emergency appeal to reverse the board's decision (which seemed to make a mockery of the ruling by their state's Supreme Court).

ECONOMIST: Whatever will they think of next?

And, if an HMO disallows a doctor's treatment recommendation because of cost concerns, patients will be able to appeal that decision to an independent review board in the hopes of getting it reversed, or of receiving compensation for any damage they may have suffered as a result of the HMO ruling.

CNN: Anxiety on Hill as House awaits patients' rights vote

India's patent appeal board in March rejected Bayer's attempts to get the decision overturned.

WSJ: Novartis Loses Glivec Patent Battle in India

The Donegal County Board then decided to challenge that decision by making a fresh appeal to Croke Park only for the appeal to be thrown out on a technicality.

BBC: Donegal GAA row rumbles on