Bill would ban physicians from accepting gifts

Boston-The Massachusetts Senate, in a unanimous 36-0 vote, passed health-care reform legislation that would ban drug and medical device companies from giving gifts of any value to physicians.

Violators would be fined $5,000 for each violation. The bill must be approved by the state House of Representatives and governor before it would take effect.

The bill also would mandate that health-insurance companies document annual cost increases and provide the findings to the general public, require the health-care industry to use computerized medical records, and necessitate state-issued licenses for anyone selling pharmaceuticals and medical devices within the state.