The Physician Payments Sunshine Act and the Unaddressed Role of Nurses

Abstract

Clinician–industry relationships have risen on the policy agenda due to their associated economic and ethical costs. The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA) is the first federal legislation that aims to mitigate these costs through mandating disclosure of these relationships. Interest group lobbying theory is used to show how stakeholders have responded to scrutiny, first through self-regulation and then, progressively, through contributing to legislation development. Limitations of the PPSA include the notable omission of nurses and allied health professionals, making it unlikely the PPSA will be effective in mitigating these costs. However, it is symbolic as it marks a departure from the traditional reliance on self-regulation on part of industry and the medical profession.