For immediate releaseOct. 7, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE

: These stories are produced by University of Montana journalism students under the supervision of Professor Dennis Swibold.They may be used without charge, provided editors retain the students’ bylines. Please contact Professor Swibold (dennis.swibold@umontana.edu)with any questions. You can also find this story and other information on theupcoming election atwww.montanaschoice2008.blogspot.com.

Health care costs dominate race for state auditorBy CHRIS D’ANGELOCommunity News ServiceUM School of Journalism

Let’s get one thing straight: Montana’s state auditor doesn’t auditanything.What she or he really does is keep a watchful eye on the state’sinsurance and investment industries and help oversee the management of more than 5 million acres of state lands.So that explains why the two candidates for the office are spending somuch time this campaign talking about the high cost of health insurance andenergy.“Everywhere I go people are complaining about two things: energy costsand health insurance,” said RepublicanDuane Grimes, a former state senator from Clancy who ran unsuccessfully for auditor four years ago. No argument there from his Democratic opponent,Monica Lindeen, aformer state representative from Huntley who ran unsuccessfully for Congress two years ago. “Health care is affecting everyone,” she says.The key differences between them are in their proposed solutions to the problems and in their professional backgrounds.“I think we are both really nice people,” Grimes sa

. “However, all of the issues that the auditor deals with, I’ve dealt with … first in theLegislature in 1993. Monica hasn’t dealt with most (of them).”Grimes argues that as a lawmaker he spent years addressing health careand energy issues. That, coupled with his experience in business, gives himan edge in the fight to drive down costs for Montana consumers, he said.“In my administration there will be no special interests or companywhose interests will be put ahead of Montana consumers,” he said.

Lindeen, who served four terms in the Legislature, argues that, despiteGrimes’ claims, she is more than qualified to protect and help those who buyinsurance and invest in securities.“I have a strong and proven record of advocating for consumers, as ateacher, a business owner, and as a legislator,” she said. “While I respect myopponent, he has a long voting record that favors insurance companies over Montana consumers.”Both agree that increasing access to and lowering the cost of healthcoverage is crucial, but they clash over the best way to accomplish thosegoals.Lindeen said a stronger focus on preventative health care and better health care information would go a long way.For Grimes, the solution lies in boosting competition that would giveconsumers more choices. “Competitive markets drive costs down,” he said.His plan, he said, would give consumers more information aboutinsurance costs and options as well as complaints against insurers. He wouldstrengthen the state’s Insure Montana program; an effort begun by currentAuditor John Morrison to help Montana’s smallest business provide healthcoverage by offering tax credits and by pooling their buying power.“Empowering the consumer is one of my main goals,” Grimes said.Lindeen, who also supports the Insure Montana program, said she’s allfor promoting competition

but not at the expense of regulations that keepinsurers in check. Nor is she convinced that Montana, with its tinymarketplace, can do a great deal about competition.“I agree that competition is a good thing, but the reality is not everybodyis going to want to do business in a marketplace that’s so small,” she said.She added that Grimes

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goal of offering consumers more electronicaccess to insurance information and options has already been somewhataccomplished by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners,whose database is reachable through the Montana state auditor’sWeb site.Lindeen said that, if elected, she will continue to build on the “goodwork” Morrison has done while in office.“The key is to educate the public that we are an incredible resource tothem,” she said.Grimes said the auditor has to be the consumer advocate as well the oneto make sure insurers keep their promises. “And I’ll carry a big stick,” headded.Besides regulating insurance and securities, the auditor also sits on thefive-member State Lands Board, which manages the roughly 5.2 millionacres of school trust lands

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and the energy resources beneath them.