The signing took place at Prentice Women's Hospital. The governor's office says the new laws will improve dental care for children; increase education about the importance of cardiovascular screenings; require insurance to cover programs that educate people about managing their diabetes; and allow patients access to an online database of information about the state's doctors and surgeons.
State Representative Mary Flowers sponsored the database bill.
"There was no one location you could go to as a consumer to inform yourself about the background of this doctor. Had he ever lost his license, how many malpractice suits have been filed against this doctor?" Flowers said.
The database should be available in about two months.
