Support the Medical Blacklisting Prevention Act to Protect Patients’ Rights Petition

To: The Honorable Speaker of the House
The Honorable Senate Majority Leader
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate
The Honorable RFK, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
Dear Esteemed Leaders,
We, the undersigned, urge you to introduce and pass the Medical Blacklisting Prevention Act, a critical piece of legislation to protect patients from being unfairly denied healthcare. Medical blacklisting—when healthcare providers, insurers, or administrators intentionally deny, delay, or restrict care based on non-medical factors like personal beliefs, prior disputes, or stigmatized conditions—is a grave injustice that undermines public health, erodes trust in our healthcare system, and causes devastating harm. This proposed bill, detailed below, classifies medical blacklisting as a federal felony, with severe penalties to deter such practices and ensure accountability. It addresses the following harms caused by medical blacklisting:
Delayed or Denied Care: Patients face life-threatening delays or complete loss of access to necessary treatments, leading to worsened health outcomes or even death.
Mental and Emotional Harm: Blacklisted individuals suffer anxiety, depression, and feelings of abandonment due to rejection by healthcare providers.
Economic Impact: Inability to access care results in lost wages, increased medical costs, and financial hardship.
Erosion of Trust: Blacklisting discourages patients from seeking care, undermining public health initiatives.
Social Inequity: Marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted, exacerbating healthcare disparities.
The Medical Blacklisting Prevention Act proposes:
Class B Felony Designation: Up to 7 years in prison and $250,000 fines for individuals, $1,000,000 for entities, with enhanced penalties (up to 15 years and $2,000,000) if death results.
Class A Felony for Egregious Cases: Up to life imprisonment and $500,000/$5,000,000 fines for systematic or prolonged blacklisting causing severe harm.
Civil Penalties: Restitution for victims, mandatory injunctive relief, and permanent exclusion from federal healthcare programs.
Professional Consequences: Revocation of medical licenses and exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid.
Enforcement: A dedicated HHS task force and DOJ collaboration to investigate and prosecute.
Victim Protections: Legal aid for victims, 60-day investigation timelines, and no statute of limitations until discovery of blacklisting.
We call on Congress to act swiftly to introduce and pass this bill, and on the Department of Health and Human Services to support its enforcement. No patient should face discrimination, retaliation, or exclusion from care due to non-medical factors. By passing this legislation, you can restore trust in our healthcare system, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure equitable access to care for all Americans. We respectfully request that you:
Introduce the Medical Blacklisting Prevention Act in the House and Senate.
Support its passage with urgency to address this critical public health issue.
Ensure robust enforcement mechanisms through HHS and DOJ.
Together, we can end medical blacklisting and uphold the fundamental right to healthcare. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to justice.