Massachusetts doctors, hospitals received $35.8 million in gifts from device, drug companies.

The AP (11/23) reports, "Massachusetts doctors and hospitals have received nearly $35.8 million in payments from medical device manufacturers and drug companies during the last six months of 2009," according to a report. The "payments included speaking and consulting fees, meals, and education and marketing programs." The report "was the result of a 2008 state law that banned some types of gifts outright and required companies to report other types of payments."