Governor Patrick Signs Health Care Costs bill with new Medical Industry Regs

Over the objections of major business groups, Governor Patrick signed a health care cost control bill today that includes public reporting of gifts or payments of $50 or more. The business community supports the rest of the new law, but says that the reporting requirement and gift rules the state will establish, will put the medical community in Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage. Governor Patrick says in a press release that the concerns of the pharma and medical device manufacturers will be addressed when the state sets rules about how the law will work.

“I am confident the Department of Public Health, pursuant to its regulatory authority, will safeguard the confidentiality of companies’ trade secrets and proprietary information and protect against roadblocks to medical research or the education of health care providers.”

Health Care for All and other consumer groups are celebrating the Governor's decision. More tomorrow....