"It's a complicated time because we definitely want to follow the rules and we understand how complex a rollout this is," said Andrew Olanow, cofounder of Sollis Health, a concierge practice operating in New York, the Hamptons and Beverly Hills, which has been administering the vaccine to front-line workers and other high-risk patients at their New York location. "And a real perception that behind the scenes, the rich are greasing the skids on a life-or-death situation."Īs a result, the very doctors whose brand boasts the ability to circumvent some of the health system's stresses with elite care now find themselves staving off " VIP syndrome" requests from their A-list patients, in order to hold the line on medical ethics. Recipients were "age 65 or older" in high-risk groups, a spokesperson for Baptist Health said. Baptist Health South acknowledged to ABC News that "established Baptist Health supporters" have been among those prioritized for the vaccine despite limited supplies, adding that they had been "reaching out to eligible high-risk members of the Baptist Health community" who "meet criteria" for the shots. MorseLife is not the only instance of alleged preferential treatment of which Caruso says he's been made aware.
Mike Caruso, whose district covers Palm Beach County, told ABC News. "What we've got is a breakdown in the equitable distribution, which has caused distrust in the entire public forum," Republican State Rep. "I'm concerned, going forward, that we don't have a robust plan to make sure that the distribution of this vaccine is equitable," Hardy said. Omari Hardy, who represents the area of West Palm Beach that includes MorseLife, denounced facilities appearing to be "selling access to the vaccine."
JUMPING LINE FOR VACCINE FULL
In a statement to ABC News, the brothers said that the shots had been administered "in full accordance" with the governor's executive order that shots be given to medical workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, and adults 65 and older.ĭemocratic State Rep. Real estate mogul David Mack, who is vice chairman of the Morse Health System Board of Trustees and also sits on the Palm Beach Country Club's Board of Governors, acknowledged that he and his brother Bill Mack, who is also in real estate, had "assisted" with MorseLife's vaccination campaign - but refuted reports that this was a "targeted effort to vaccinate members of the Palm Beach Country Club." But a few high-profile cases have drawn national condemnation, and authorities say they're carefully watching for any signs of unethical line-cutting.Įarlier this month, MorseLife Health System, an elite nursing home and assisted-living facility promising "an atmosphere of luxury, outstanding service, and compassionate care" in West Palm Beach, Florida, became the subject of an investigation by the Department of Health and the state's inspector general for allegedly making vaccines available not just to its residents and staff, but to board members and those who have made generous contributions to the facility, including members of the Palm Beach Country Club.
"I get call after call every day now, people saying, 'I'm going to join whichever practice is able to get me the vaccine first,' and they're willing to pay a premium for that access," Malkin, the founder of Concierge MD in Los Angeles, told ABC.Īsking doesn't mean getting - and in interviews with ABC News, concierge doctors maintain they've held firm to their local prioritization guidance, and experts say that so far abuse of the vaccine rollout has not run rampant. Now, as expanded eligibility amplifies demand, while reserves run short and wait times grow longer, experts warn that the wealthy and the well-connected may be further incentivized to exploit the ensuing chaos - and those who can pay for the privilege have been shopping for a way to get their arms ahead in line.
The vaccine's slow and uneven rollout has worn public patience thin, and fomented fears that affluence may expedite access. Some simply ask whether it's possible - others ask if there's a purchase price. debut, Malkin says his entire team has been "bombarded" by calls asking when they can get it, or if their names might be bumped up to the priority lists. Malkin rarely silences his cell phone, so as not to miss anything, or anyone.īut since the COVID-19 vaccine made its U.S. Concierge practices like his tout first class, round-the-clock medical care. Direct and immediate access to their doctor is part of what Dr.
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