Late-Session Proposals Surface to Privatize, Eliminate State Fund

Montana lawmakers are considering the late-session introduction of measures that would either eliminate the state’s quasi-public workers’ compensation carrier or transform it into a mutual carrier and strip it of its tax exemptions. According to supporters, the measures would drive down rates for employers in the state by increasing competition among smaller carriers who say they can’t compete with Montana State Fund. Opponents, however, say that argument doesn’t make sense. If Montana State Fund is undercutting private insurers, then eliminating the state-charter...