(a) This subchapter is enacted to combat and prevent fraud and abuse committed by some healthcare providers participating in the medical assistance programs and by other persons and to negate the adverse effects those activities have on fiscal and programmatic integrity. The administrative sanctions imposed pursuant to this subchapter are intended to be in addition to those provided for in the Medicaid Fraud Act, § 5-55-101 et seq., and the Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act, § 20-77-901 et seq., and any proceeding brought hereunder shall not be a bar or defense to actions brought pursuant to these or other acts.
(b) The General Assembly intends to provide the Secretary of the Department of Human Services with the ability, authority, and resources to pursue administrative sanctions and liquidated damages to protect the fiscal and programmatic integrity of the medical assistance programs from healthcare providers and other persons who engage in fraud, misrepresentation, abuse, or other ill practices, as set forth in this subchapter in order to obtain payments to which these healthcare providers or persons are not entitled.