In an effort to protect the health and welfare of patients, particularly the nation's elderly and poor, Congress enacted legislation which prevents certain individuals and or businesses from providing healthcare and or services in federally funded healthcare programs due to healthcare sanctions. This program is mandated under the Office of Inspector General (OIG) (sections 1128  and 1156  of the Social Security Act).    

OIG maintains an updated list called the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (Healthcare Sanctions Report) of all current excluded individuals who are sanctioned from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federally funded healthcare programs that have been convicted for program related fraud, patient abuse, licensing board sanctions, suspended licenses, and default on Health Education Assistance Loans.