Blumenthal Statement On Implementation Of Physician Payments Sunshine Act

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released a statement on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) issuance of a regulation that implements the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics, and medical supplies covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report to CMS any payments they make to physicians and teaching hospitals. On January 24, 2013, Blumenthal sent a letter to former White House Chief of Staff Jacob Lew urging the Administration to fully implement this regulation. 

“The implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act has long been delayed. I applaud the Administration for finally issuing this regulation, as I requested both last year and this year,” Blumenthal said.“While most relationships between physicians and drug and device companies are legitimate and serve important research goals, the Sunshine Act will prevent conflicts of interest and promote more accountability by making these financial relationships more transparent. Every patient deserves the safest, most effective treatment, and it is essential that the use of these products be guided by sound evidence and good science.”