Mass. Gov. signs bill to slow health care costs

BOSTON—Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill designed to slow the state's soaring health care costs.

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 law also requires pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to report all gifts to doctors over $50.

Companies say the gift language is so all-encompassing it will make it impossible for them to conduct research here.

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.