Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) have introduced the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which would mandate public disclosure by drug, device and medical equipment manufacturers of payments over $25 made to physicians.

The disclosures would include the physician’s name and business address and the amount and type of payment made, which includes consulting fees and honoraria, payments for trips or travel, participation in continuing medical education events and product rebates and discounts. Product samples intended for patients are exempted from disclosure requirements, and only companies with revenues of over $100 million need to file these disclosures.

The House version of the bill additionally requires disclosure of dividend, profit distribution, stock or stock options grants held by a physician in a manufacturer. Payments made in the general funding of a clinical trial would need to be disclosed as well.

It is likely that a version of this legislation will be included in a Medicare-related package this year. Heart Rhythm Society has been tracking this bill and attended hearings held by the Senate Special Committee on Aging on this issue.

View the Heart Rhythm Society's Code of Ethics and Professional Standards — Download Adobe PDF (241K)

For more information, please contact Nevena Minor, Manager of Legislative Affairs.