AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill to help Mainers who are billed for medical errors faces additional legislative votes after clearing its first hurdle in the House.

The bill was approved Monday without dissent. The sponsor, Democratic Rep. Patsy Crockett of Augusta, says it would reduce health care costs by prohibiting providers from billing for costs associated with medical errors.

An example of a medical error is a hospital-acquired infection, which can add $100,000 to the cost of a patient’s hospital stay.

Next year, Medicare will begin denying reimbursement to health care providers for costs associated with medical errors or preventable infections.