Understanding the Sunshine Act: Dispersing the Clouds of Confusion

By Christine N. Bradshaw and Sandra González

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Section 6002 of the Act, entitled “Transparency Reports and Reporting of Physician Ownership or Investment Interests,” is commonly known as the “Sunshine Act.” Pursuant to the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical, medical device, biological product, and medical supply companies are required to disclose annually gifts and payments provided to covered recipients, and ownership and investment interests in the company that are held by covered recipients.