Yesterday, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved HB 2098, sponsored by Rep. DeLuca (D-Allegheny).  The measure would allow insurance companies to refuse reimbursments to hospitals for the cost of errors and infections caused by care at their facilities. 

The Committee did alter the language of the bill, making it a bit less severe for the hospitals, but the intent of the bill remains the same. Sponsors of the bill say that the refusal of payment will force hospitals to make prevention of hospital acquired infections, such as MRSA, a priority.