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Second new law takes aim at MRSA
September 15, 2009
AUGUSTA – Two new laws introduced by Rep. Adam Goode, D-Bangor, that will help make hospitals safer and address challenges facing the child care industry were enacted into law Sept. 12.
The first new law addresses the struggle many child care providers who operate from their homes have to find adequate, affordable homeowner’s insurance. Providers are often denied coverage because insurance companies perceive a higher risk for day cares that serve more than six kids, which most in Maine do.
Among other provisions, the first new law prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew a policy or canceling a homeowner’s policy if the insured can show they have liability insurance coverage for the operation of a family child care business. It also makes clear that insurers would not be responsible if something happened to the house that was the result of the facility.
“This new law will greatly help these child care providers who offer such an important service to working families,” said Goode. “I am pleased that providers will now be able to afford adequate coverage to protect their facilities and investments.”
The second law will make hospitals safer by requiring closer monitoring for cases of MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. The “super bug” is now thought to kill more Americans each year than HIV/AIDS.
The law requires hospitals to perform targeted surveillance for MRSA in high-risk populations. Hospitals have not been required to screen and report MRSA patients, which can result in patients entering hospitals and acquiring MRSA.
“MRSA is a deadly infection that can be controlled with proper monitoring and guidelines,” said Goode. “Maine people will now have greater protections when they go to our hospitals.”
The majority of bills enacted during the first session of the Legislature went into effect 90 days from adjournment, which was Sept. 12.
Contact:
Rep. Adam Goode, 991-7000
Lori Eschholz, legislative aide, 287-1430