Montana’s Consumer Advocate

Advocating for Montana small businesses and their employees

(April 23, 2008 – Billings)  Monica Lindeen, Democratic candidate for Montana State Auditor, supports continuation of the successful Insure Montana program in order to ensure Montana’s small business owners and their employees are provided with health care.

As a former small business owner, Lindeen understands the challenges and importance of providing health insurance coverage for employees.  “Healthy employees are happier and more productive,” stated Lindeen.  “Providing health insurance as a benefit leads to less turnover and that’s good for the business and the employee.”  Lindeen realizes that not all small business owners and their employees can afford to pay the high cost of monthly insurance premiums.   

The Insure Montana program provides premium assistance and tax credits for small businesses with 2-9 employees through a purchasing pool.  There are approximately 1,450 small businesses and 9,250 individuals enrolled in the program.  Currently, there is a waiting list of approximately 750 Montana small businesses interested in participating in the health insurance program.  

Davidson Companies, a Montana based investment company, recently informed both current and former clients of an illegal network intrusion into a database containing clients' personal information.  The Davidson incident serves as a stark reminder to all consumers and Montana businesses of the challenges we face in this new age of information technology and the potential crime associated with this reality.

As a former co-owner and the general manager of one of Montana’s first and largest Internet service providers, I understand the opportunities that new technologies offer.  That knowledge of the information technology industry also allows me to understand the challenges customers and businesses face in protecting personal information.

As a candidate for Montana’s next State Auditor, I intend to work with these same customers and businesses on a daily basis to help educate consumers about how they can protect their personal information, while at the same time working with Montana businesses to ensure they are doing their best to protect that information.

Having your information lost or stolen can be a frightening experience, but fortunately there are steps you can take to detect misuse that may have already occurred and to help prevent potential future theft of your personal information.  The Montana Department of Justice website offers the following tips.

Advocating for consumers and affordable, quality health care top her priorities

(March 4, 2008- Billings) – Former state representative and businesswoman Monica Lindeen of Huntley filed electronically from Billings, MT for the State Auditor's Office which regulates the insurance and securities industries.

Making use of her business background as one of the former owners of a Montana-based Internet company, Lindeen filed electronically for the State Auditor’s Office.  “The Yellowstone Valley has always been my home,” Lindeen said.  “This is where I grew up, raised a family, had the opportunity to succeed in business, and advocate for my constituents.”  

Lindeen believes this campaign is about who will serve as the strongest consumer advocate for the people of Montana.  She said she has spent her life working hard and advocating for others as an active member of the community, as a business woman, and as a legislator.

“Cost and lack of access to affordable, quality health care is affecting the pocketbooks of both families and businesses,” Lindeen said.  “That’s why it’s imperative we work together to increase access to coverage and insure affordability.”

Lindeen believes that promotion of preventive care and wellness programs, as well as the development of health information technology, can play an important role in reducing the cost of health care by streamlining the administrative process and eliminating duplicative and unnecessary procedures.