According to a Boston Globe editorial Massachusetts S2660 section 26 may be taken up sooner rather than later in the session : A far-reaching cost containment bill supported by Murray has cleared the Senate and is awaiting House action, which DiMasi (house speaker) promised is coming soon.
Of course they support the gift ban, as good for the state not bothering to explain all the implications of including everything including CME and research funding as a “gift”.
“gift ban .. provoked opposition from the catering industry” (our friends at restaurants to You are making a difference).
In the editorial — Drug companies would no longer be able to roll out “free lunches” to attract physicians to informational meetings. But a doctor’s prescription patterns should not be swayed, even a little bit, by food or other gifts. There seems to be no consideration that perhaps this is not what is best for the economy of the state of Massachusetts.
The Globe Editorial board thinks “Murray’s proposal should become law”. They even admit that “a ban on free lunches is nothing compared to the other changes that will be required to make health reform work.”
The legislature should focus on what will make the reform work and leave the lunches to the catering industry.
This is a call that the legislators need to hear from us soon.