In the case of American Hospital Association v. National Labor Relations Board, 1990, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The case revolved around whether or not a group of interns and residents at non-profit teaching hospitals could be classified as "employees" under Section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), thus granting them rights to collective bargaining. The NLRB had previously decided that they were employees with such rights. However, this was challenged by the American Hospital Association who argued that these individuals were primarily students rather than employees. In its decision, however, the Supreme Court upheld NLRB's interpretation stating it was reasonable and consistent with NLRA's policies. Therefore, medical interns and residents working at non-profit teaching hospitals are considered employees under NLRA and have rights to unionize for purposes like negotiating wages.

In the dissenting opinion for American Hospital Association v. National Labor Relations Board, it was argued that the majority's decision to allow nonunion employees access to employer premises for union-related activities during their off-duty hours is inconsistent with previous court rulings and federal labor law. The dissenters believed that this ruling would disrupt hospital operations and infringe on employers' property rights without any substantial justification in terms of employee rights or collective bargaining principles. They also expressed concern about potential abuses by unions, such as using hospitals as a base for organizing campaigns against other employers. Furthermore, they disagreed with the majority's interpretation of existing laws and regulations governing labor-management relations in healthcare institutions, arguing that these were intended to balance various competing interests rather than favor one side over another.