Criminalize Kickbacks for Physician Vaccination
Law to Criminalize Incentivizing Doctors to Prescribe Vaccines
Last updated
Law to Criminalize Incentivizing Doctors to Prescribe Vaccines
Last updated
Citizen Testimony
Section 1: Title
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Medical Integrity and Anti-Kickback Act."
Section 2: Findings and Purpose
(a) Findings: The Congress finds that:
Incentivization of Vaccine Prescriptions: Many healthcare providers, particularly pediatricians, receive financial incentives from Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and vaccine manufacturers for achieving high vaccination rates among their patients.
Conflict of Interest: These incentives can result in conflicts of interest, where the financial benefits of prescribing vaccines may unduly influence medical decisions, compromising the integrity of patient care.
Transparency and Trust: It is crucial to maintain transparency and trust in the medical community, ensuring that medical advice and prescriptions are based solely on the best interests of patients.
(b) Purpose: The purpose of this Act is to prohibit any financial incentives to healthcare providers that are contingent upon the prescription of vaccines, thereby ensuring that medical decisions are made solely in the best interests of patients.
Section 3: Prohibited Activities
(a) Prohibition of Incentives: It shall be unlawful for any individual or entity to offer, pay, solicit, or receive any remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in-kind, that is intended to induce or reward the prescription, recommendation, administration, or promotion of vaccines.
(b) Definition of Remuneration: For the purposes of this Act, "remuneration" includes any kickbacks, bribes, rebates, bonuses, or other forms of compensation, whether direct or indirect, overt or covert, in cash or in-kind.
(c) Healthcare Providers: This prohibition applies to all healthcare providers, including but not limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, and any other licensed healthcare professionals involved in prescribing or administering vaccines.
Section 4: Penalties
(a) Criminal Penalties: Any individual or entity that violates the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be subject to:
A fine of not more than $250,000, or
Imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or
Both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) Civil Penalties: In addition to the criminal penalties described in subsection (a), any individual or entity that violates the provisions of this Act shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 for each violation.
Section 5: Enforcement
(a) Authority: The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this Act.
(b) Whistleblower Protections: Any individual who reports a violation of this Act shall be protected from retaliation and may be eligible for a reward of up to 30% of the recovered amounts.
Section 6: Effective Date
This Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of its enactment.
Section 7: Severability
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
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