Update from Helena

By the time you read this we will be on our way home. We have a four-day break called transmittal. This is when the House bills go to the Senate and visa versa.

The last week has been grueling. Some days were 12 hours. It will be great to be home. If you can, come to the library meeting room in Polson next Monday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. I’ve spread the word and I think that most of the local legislators will be there.

We’ve heard almost 400 bills on the floor. We’re lower than average by about 150 bills. Less money means fewer bills.

I had a very difficult bill up this week. House Bill 405 will greatly reduce medical costs, as much as 40 percent, lower worker’s compensation rates and make Montana more doctor-friendly.

HB405 gives limited civil immunity to doctors that document why they did not order unnecessary tests. Many doctors testified that they practice defensive medicine. That means they order tests and lab work that they really don’t think is necessary because of fear of litigation.

One example is a patient who wants to stay in the hospital a few extra days, perhaps to save family members from having to take care of them. This is costly for insurance companies and even for taxpayers if Medicaid, Medicare or workers’ comp is paying.

If you think about it, medicine has become so full of technology that many of us can’t understand all the details. I think that it is not only fear of litigation that drives unnecessary medical practices, but insurance companies, lawyers and us, uninformed patients.

In House Taxation, we heard a bill to put a constitutional amendment to the people to tax property on acquisition value. Another bill requires bank default property to be used as a comparable for valuation. We had a bill to require that the Department of Revenue prove the appraised value, not the property owner, during any appeals process.

I’m not sure that a yearly appraisal would help our area. It could be that the entire 2008 value would go into effect now instead of the one-sixth yearly phase in. That would be a big tax bill and there is no guarantee that the next appraised value would be lower.

Economic recovery is one of the contentious debates over here. The Governor and the legislative staff do not agree on the revenue estimate. I believe we will see recovery, but I think it will be slow.

I have tried to answer all e-mails, phone calls, postcards, and letters that are from our area. As much as I want to respond to everyone, it has now become impossible for me to answer the hundreds I receive daily.

Several people have left messages on my home phone. I will be home this weekend, but I’m in Helena for the next two months. It is best to leave me a message at 406-444-4800 or on my cell, 253-8766. My email is jannataylor@montana.com.

I never forget that I work for you and I welcome all comments. Hope to see you on Monday.