What to know
- New York-based healthcare provider accused of illegally obtaining and distributing doses of coronavirus vaccine has returned his remaining supply
- The state alleges that the provider misrepresented their position, moved doses across the state and distributed to people not on the state’s priority list
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will sign a new executive order to increase penalties against providers who willfully ignore vaccine prioritization; sanctions can lead to fines of up to $ 1 million
A New York-based healthcare provider accused of illegally obtaining and distributing doses of a coronavirus vaccine has returned its remaining supply, a company spokesman said Monday.
ParCare Community Health Network came under fire this weekend after the top state doctor announced a criminal investigation for possible fraud, alleging that the vaccine was not distributed according to state protocols.
Dr. Howard Zucker, commissioner for the state’s Department of Health, said his office received reports that ParCare had obtained the vaccine “fraudulently” and transferred it to “facilities in other parts of the state.”
The vaccine doses reportedly diverted to “members of the public” circumvent the state’s plan to prioritize the vaccination of primary health workers and residents of long-term care facilities, Zucker said Saturday. The initial rollout of the vaccine in New York was still limited to hospitals and nursing homes.
“In an effort to fully cooperate with NYS DOH, we have proactively returned the vaccines pending the ministry’s review,” ParCare said Monday morning.
ParCare Community Health Network – identified by the state as a provider in Orange County – serves facilities in a number of Brooklyn and Upper East Side neighborhoods.
The 2,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine secured by ParCare last week were in line with NYS’s DOH protocols and were eventually approved for state distribution, the company said.
“We are confident that the end result of that review will demonstrate that ParCare has done its best at all times to meet all of NYS’s DOH requirements and will enable us to achieve our primary goal of providing these crucial vaccines to the New Yorkers who need them the most, ”concludes ParCare’s statement.
A New York-based healthcare provider is under investigation for possible fraud, accused of illegally obtaining and distributing the vaccine. Anjali Hemphill reports.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that the state’s investigation will be referred to Attorney General Letitia James, who later announced that her office had opened an investigation into the distribution of the healthcare provider.
“In order for the vaccine to be most effective in protecting our communities, we must all follow the same distribution plan,” James said in a press release. “We will not tolerate attempts to bypass that process.”
The governor said he will sign a new executive order to increase penalties against providers who willfully ignore vaccine prioritization; sanctions can lead to fines of up to $ 1 million.
“Based on how we know that the vaccine was transferred, stored and administered, we think there are multiple crimes that can be charged,” said Cuomo, doubling the state’s claims against ParCare.
On December 16, the company offered doses of the vaccine on a “first come, first served” basis via a social media post on Facebook. The post included an application form for the elderly, those at high risk, and those with underlying conditions.
A week later, ParCare shared photos of the Moderna vaccine on Twitter, saying the company had received thousands of doses.
The DOH said it would not comment outside of Zucker’s statement on Saturday.
“We are taking this very seriously and DOH will assist state police in a criminal investigation into this matter. Anyone who knowingly participated in this settlement will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Zucker said in the press release. Saturday. .
A statement from ParCare acknowledged the health and insurance cooperation investigation while the state is conducting the investigation.
“During these unprecedented times, we have strived to provide critical health services and administer COVID-19 vaccinations to those qualified to receive them under New York State Department of Health guidelines, including primary care workers and first responders,” the statement said. partially.
In late October, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a partnership with ParCare to increase the availability of rapid tests at various locations in Borough Park and Williamsburg.