(a) Authorization; scope; service and proof of serviceFor the purpose of any audit, investigation, examination, analysis, review, evaluation, or other function authorized by law with respect to any program authorized under this chapter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall have power to sign and issue subpenas to any person requiring the production of any pertinent books, records, documents, or other information. Subpenas so issued by the Comptroller General shall be served by anyone authorized by him (1) by delivering a copy thereof to the person named therein, or (2) by registered mail or by certified mail addressed to such person at his last dwelling place or principal place of business. A verified return by the person so serving the subpena setting forth the manner of service, or, in the case of service by registered mail or by certified mail, the return post office receipt therefor signed by the person so served, shall be proof of service.
(b) Contumacy or refusal to obey subpena; contempt proceedingsIn case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and duly served upon, any person, any district court of the United States for the judicial district in which such person charged with contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the Comptroller General, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to produce the books, records, documents, or other information sought by the subpena; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. In proceedings brought under this subsection, the Comptroller General shall be represented by attorneys employed in the Government Accountability Office or by counsel whom he may employ without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapters III and VI of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(c) Nondisclosure of personal medical records by Government Accountability OfficeNo personal medical record in the possession of the Government Accountability Office shall be subject to subpena or discovery proceedings in a civil action.
Structure US Code
Title 42— THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
SUBCHAPTER XI— GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION
§ 1304. Reservation of right to amend or repeal
§ 1305. Short title of chapter
§ 1306a. Public access to State disbursement records
§ 1306c. Restriction on access to the Death Master File
§ 1310. Cooperative research or demonstration projects
§ 1311. Public assistance payments to legal representatives
§ 1312. Medical care guides and reports for public assistance and medical assistance
§ 1313. Assistance for United States citizens returned from foreign countries
§ 1314. Public advisory groups
§ 1314a. Measurement and reporting of welfare receipt
§ 1315. Demonstration projects
§ 1315a. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
§ 1315b. Providing Federal coverage and payment coordination for dual eligible beneficiaries
§ 1316. Administrative and judicial review of public assistance determinations
§ 1318. Alternative Federal payment with respect to public assistance expenditures
§ 1320. Approval of certain projects
§ 1320a. Uniform reporting systems for health services facilities and organizations
§ 1320a–1. Limitation on use of Federal funds for capital expenditures
§ 1320a–2. Effect of failure to carry out State plan
§ 1320a–3a. Disclosure requirements for other providers under part B of Medicare
§ 1320a–4. Issuance of subpenas by Comptroller General
§ 1320a–6. Adjustments in SSI benefits on account of retroactive benefits under subchapter II
§ 1320a–6a. Interagency coordination to improve program administration
§ 1320a–7a. Civil monetary penalties
§ 1320a–7b. Criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs
§ 1320a–7c. Fraud and abuse control program
§ 1320a–7d. Guidance regarding application of health care fraud and abuse sanctions
§ 1320a–7e. Health care fraud and abuse data collection program
§ 1320a–7f. Coordination of medicare and medicaid surety bond provisions
§ 1320a–7g. Funds to reduce medicaid fraud and abuse
§ 1320a–7h. Transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests
§ 1320a–7i. Reporting of information relating to drug samples
§ 1320a–7j. Accountability requirements for facilities
§ 1320a–7k. Medicare and Medicaid program integrity provisions
§ 1320a–8. Civil monetary penalties and assessments for subchapters II, VIII and XVI
§ 1320a–8a. Administrative procedure for imposing penalties for false or misleading statements
§ 1320a–8b. Attempts to interfere with administration of this chapter
§ 1320a–9. Demonstration projects
§ 1320a–10. Effect of failure to carry out State plan
§ 1320b–1. Notification of Social Security claimant with respect to deferred vested benefits
§ 1320b–2. Period within which certain claims must be filed
§ 1320b–4. Nonprofit hospital or critical access hospital philanthropy
§ 1320b–5. Authority to waive requirements during national emergencies
§ 1320b–7. Income and eligibility verification system
§ 1320b–8. Hospital protocols for organ procurement and standards for organ procurement agencies
§ 1320b–9a. Child health quality measures
§ 1320b–9b. Adult health quality measures
§ 1320b–10. Prohibitions relating to references to Social Security or Medicare
§ 1320b–11. Blood donor locator service
§ 1320b–12. Research on outcomes of health care services and procedures
§ 1320b–13. Social security account statements
§ 1320b–15. Protection of social security and medicare trust funds
§ 1320b–17. Cross-program recovery of overpayments from benefits
§ 1320b–19. The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program
§ 1320b–20. Work incentives outreach program
§ 1320b–21. State grants for work incentives assistance to disabled beneficiaries
§ 1320b–23. Pharmacy benefit managers transparency requirements
§ 1320b–24. Consultation with Tribal Technical Advisory Group