Massachusetts Health Issue

Legislative panel takes up health care initiativePosted by F.M.
Boston (AP) -- A bill that targets soaring health care costs will be heard by a legislative panel on Beacon Hill.The measure unveiled earlier this month by Senate President Therese Murray would make Massachusetts the first state to ban doctors from accepting gifts from pharmaceutical firms. It also calls for a statewide electronic medical record-keeping system and public review of any insurance rate increases that exceed 7 percent a year.Murray says her goal is to reduce waste and inefficiencies as the state continues to implement the landmark 2006 law mandating health insurance for all Massachusetts residents.The Legislature's Health Care Financing committee was scheduled to hear testimony on the bill Wednesday.