The link that hmp42 posted is very interesting and worth the quick read. I think it’s great to know what the acts mean and why they are important, but I think the real world examples of how they were violated further solidify the importance.
In the article hmp42 posted, Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and The Christ Hospital in Ohio, were required to pay over $100 million dollars due to anti-kickback violations. They were paying doctors to refer patients to their facilities. In the moment that may not seem like such a big deal, but once this information was found, it is just simply corrupt, and they were forced to pay a HUGE fine. $100 million dollars is a massive fine, simply because you were trying to recruit patients the wrong way. Paying doctors to refer patients isn’t in the patients’ best interests 100% of the time. For example, maybe this facility isn’t equipped enough to deal with some conditions, or other hospitals have a more experienced staff. Now, patients who may need different care are now coming to a facility that potentially could have what they need. If this isn’t enough to make your company not incentivize doctors, then simply just look at the fine. What these hospitals thought was no big deal ended up costing them over $100 million dollars in fines. Fines like this not only drain your bank accounts, but also leave the public with a sour image of your hospital.

-Kaitlin Connell