News Release
Gov. Schweitzer and State Auditor Morrison Announce Small Business Health Insurance Board
7/7/2005
Sarah Elliott
406-444-9725
selliott@mt.gov
"Providing quality affordable health care for Montanans is the right thing to do," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "Helping Montana's small businesses provide insurance to their employees is a huge step in the right direction. The members on this board will work hard to ensure affordable health care is accessible to thousands of working Montanans."
State Auditor John Morrison added, "This is a well-rounded board with vast health insurance and small business experience, but, most importantly, these individuals will have the best interest of Montanans in mind as they move forward with the implementation of this new program."
Connie Welsh, Helena: Appointed by Schweitzer - Welsh is the Chief of the Employee Benefits Bureau within the State Personnel Division of the Department of Administration. She served as an Executive Budget Analyst in the Governor's Office of Budget and Program Planning prior to her position at the Department of Administration. Welsh received her bachelor's and master's degrees both from Montana State University. She fulfills the qualification as a management level individual with knowledge of state employee health benefit plans.
Gail Briese-Zimmer, Helena: Appointed by Schweitzer - Briese-Zimmer is the Financial Services Bureau Administrator for the Department of Public Health and Human Services. She has over twenty years of governmental budgeting experience working with the Department of Corrections and Public Health and Human Services. She received her bachelor's degree from Carroll College. Briese-Zimmer fulfills the qualification of management level individual with knowledge of Medicaid services.
Bob Marsenich, Polson: Appointed by Schweitzer - Marsenich is a Consultant for Glacier HR Services, his own business in Polson and serves on the Board of Directors for the Montana Chamber of Commerce. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Montana. He fulfills the qualification of consumer representing the public interest.
Christian Mackay, Billings: Appointed by Schweitzer - Mackay is a realtor with Prudential Floberg Realtors. Prior to that he represented employees for the Montana District Council of Laborers. Mackay is a graduate of Montana State University. He fulfills the qualification as a consumer representing the public interest.
Jim Edwards, Helena: Appointed by Morrison - Edwards is a licensed insurance agent and president of Mountain West Benefit Solutions, a benefits consulting firm advising employers in seven Western states on group medical programs. He has seventeen years experience in the insurance industry and previously worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Western States Insurance Agency. Edwards fulfills the qualification of the member possessing insurance expertise.
Cliff Larsen, Missoula: Appointed by Morrison - Larsen is the President and CEO of StarPoint Healthcare Group, a small business servicing third party administrators and indemnity health insurers. For the past fifteen years, Larsen has held leadership positions for a number of successful health and welfare businesses. He has also established a number of successful small businesses. Larsen fulfills the qualification of small business consumer representing the public interest.
Kate Wilson, Helena: Appointed by Morrison - Wilson has served as the Executive Director of the Lewis and Clark Cooperative Health Center since 2001 and has worked in the public health industry for eighteen years. She has served as an officer on a number of boards and holds a masters degree in public health from Harvard University. Wilson fulfills the qualification of a consumer representing the public interest.
Emily Lipp Sirota from the Governor's Office and Erin McGowan Fincham from the State Auditor's Office will serve as the staff appointments to the board.
About the Small Business Health Insurance Affordability Act
Governor Brian Schweitzer and State Auditor John Morrison requested House Bill 667, the Small Business Healthcare Affordability Act. The measure passed the legislature with strong support from both parties, and was signed into law by Governor Schweitzer in May of 2005. As a result of this new law, tax credits and premium payments will help small business owners provide health insurance to their employees. In addition, the initiative allows small businesses to band together to form a purchasing pool. The pool will be able to negotiate lower-priced health plans through group purchasing.
