Lawmakers Seek Answer for Unanticipated Rate Increase Following Cancer Presumption

The Montana Economic Affairs Interim Committee met to discuss an unexpected rate increase following the enactment of a cancer presumption for firefighters created last year. Senate Bill 160, by Sen. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, established a rebuttable presumption for paid firefighters and allows firefighting entities that provide comp coverage for volunteers to also opt in to presumptive occupational disease coverage. McConnell said during the Feb. 13 meeting of the Economic Affairs Interim Committee that rates have almost doubled, rising from $3.89 to $6.49 per $100 of payroll for the fisca...