"These groups gave jet fuel to misinformation at a crucial time in the pandemic," Arthur Caplan, head of the division of medical ethics at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, said. "The richer they get, the worse off the public is because, indisputably, they're spouting dangerous nonsense that kills people."

The influx of pandemic cash sent executive compensation soaring, boosted public outreach, and seeded the ability to wage legislative and legal battles to weaken vaccine requirements and defend physicians accused of spreading misinformation.

"These groups gave jet fuel to misinformation at a crucial time in the pandemic," Caplan said. "The richer they get, the worse off the public is because, indisputably, they're spouting dangerous nonsense that kills people."

Some doctors following guidance by Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance or America's Frontline Doctors have been disciplined or face the possibility of discipline from state medical boards alleging substandard medical care. In cases involving two doctors alleged to have followed Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance guidance, three patients died.

Public health experts, including Caplan, worry that the well-funded anti-science movement could lead to devastating long-term public health consequences if childhood diseases once vanquished by vaccines come roaring back.