Massachusetts Gets Doctor Gift Bill
August 12th, 2008 amy
A bill designed to slow Massachusetts’ soaring health care costs has been signed by Gov. Deval Patrick. The law also requires pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to report all gifts to doctors over $50, the Associated Press reports.
The new law requires hospitals and doctors to adopt a statewide electronic records-keeping system by 2015. It mandates hospitals report all hospital-acquired infections and bans them from charging for so-called “never events” like wrong-side surgeries, the Boston Herald reports.
Senate President Therese Murray, who championed the bill, said the new law is critical to the success of the state’s landmark health care law.












