October 16, 2008-Bismarck Tribune
10-16-2008: news-state
Insurance commission candidates debate
By JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press WriterNorth Dakota’s candidates for insurance commissioner agree that protecting the consumer is their top priority but disagree over who best can get it done.
Republican Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm and Democratic challenge Jasper Schneider, both Fargo lawyers, traded jabs throughout an hour-long debate Wednesday night.
Hamm said that with a GOP-controlled state Legislature, he’s the one more likely to make progress.
Schneider, a state representative from Fargo, called that notion hogwash. He said he has co-sponsored bipartisan proposals and partisanship is “no way to move forward.”
Hamm is seeking his first elected term after he was appointed last year to succeed Jim Poolman, who resigned.
Schneider said North Dakotans want a chance to elect an insurance commissioner. “Standing up for people is what I do,” he said.
The candidates were asked if they thought the commissioner should appear in a consumer advertisement four months before an election. Schneider said the commissioner should deliver a message, “but there is a tasteful way to do it,” and not immediately prior to an election.
He called Hamm’s appearance in an ad designed to help senior citizens “blatantly in your face and political.”
Hamm said the commissioner should appear in ads at any time, and he said the only thing political about the ad aimed at seniors was the “partisan criticism that followed.”
Both men said they support a proposal to put control of the state workers compensation agency under the governor. Schneider said he would support privatization as an option “only because things have gone so haywire.”
Hamm did not say whether he supported privatization. “I think we can fix the system we have, but I think all the issues need to be on the table,” he said.
Schneider cited his background as an attorney for injured workers and said he would be “ethical, transparent and tough.”
Hamm said his philosophy is to be a “fair and consistent regulator.” He said North Dakotans need to be treated more fairly in Medicare reimbursement. They also must “get healthy, ourselves,” he said.
Hamm called the state’s largest insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, a “monopoly that’s not working” and that as the state insurance commissioner, he would watch the insurer “like a hawk.” He rejected two recent Blues requests for rate increases.
October 15, 2008-Fargo Forum
Thanks to Hamm for holding the line
By Michael Pick
none - 10/15/2008 Fargo
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s request for a 14.9 percent rate hike only goes to show their greed and how out of touch the company has become in today’s political climate in light of Barack Obama and John McCain promising affordable health care for every American.
With many Americans struggling to pay for the increasing costs of just about everything and with stagnant wages that don’t keep pace with the rate hikes that Blue Cross is seeking, I want to thank Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm for rejecting their request.
October 14-Fargo Forum
ND voters undecided
Patrick Springer
The Forum - 10/14/2008
Adam Hamm leads challenger Jasper Schneider in the North Dakota insurance commissioner race, according to a new Forum poll, but 43 percent of voters remain undecided in that contest.
Among other statewide races, the poll shows Republican Gov. John Hoeven and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., heading toward re-election with huge leads over their rivals. The statewide telephone poll, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, surveyed 606 likely North Dakota voters Oct. 6-8.
Hamm, a Republican who was appointed to the insurance commissioner post a year ago, is favored by 34 percent of voters, while 22 percent prefer Schneider, a Fargo lawyer and state representative.
The insurance commissioner oversees regulation of the insurance industry in the state, with rate-setting authority for premiums for health insurance and other coverage.
“Obviously it’s going to depend on how the undecided voters make up their minds,” said Philip Baumann, professor of political science and co-director of the Public Affairs Institute at Minnesota State University Moorhead, which conducted the poll.
The insurance commissioner’s race has largely been crowded out by higher-profile races in a political year with a hotly contested presidential race. That helps to explain why so many voters remain undecided about that matchup, Baumann said.
Still, the 12-point lead that Hamm has is a formidable gap for Schneider, who is making his first bid for statewide office, to overcome, Baumann said. Hamm is a former assistant Cass County state’s attorney.
Undecided voters tend to lean toward the incumbent – although appointed, Hamm holds the office – and to the political party they most identify with, Baumann said. According to the poll, more than 41 percent of respondents lean Republican, while 30 percent gravitate toward the Democratic Party.
“They’re both in Hamm’s favor,” Baumann said of factors that guide undecided voters. “I think Hamm’s going to win it unless there’s something unforeseen happening.”
Hoeven is shown defeating his Democratic challenger, Tim Mathern, a Fargo state senator, by 73 percent to 18 percent, a margin of 4 to 1.
In the race for North Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat, Pomeroy is shown easily winning a ninth term against Republican Duane Sand, who lost earlier bids to unseat Pomeroy and Sen. Kent Conrad.
Pomeroy has the support of 60 percent of the voters, while 28 percent favor Sand and 12 percent are undecided. If all undecided voters go for Sand, it would be a replay of the 2004 election, when Pomeroy defeated the challenger by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.
The poll shows Sand has work to do to get the full Republican base behind him. Sand pulls in 50 percent of strong Republicans, compared to 34 percent for Pomeroy. The poll also shows the incumbent captures 66 percent of independent voters, with higher support from Democrats.
Similarly, Hoeven, who is seeking a third term, enjoys wide support across the political spectrum.
Hoeven has overwhelming support among Republican and independent voters, and even draws 41 percent of strong Democrats, 50 percent of whom favor Mathern.
Rollout of ND poll results
- Monday: President, most important national issues
- Today: U.S. House, governor, insurance commissioner and most important state issues
- Wednesday: State ballot measures
- Thursday: Job-performance ratings of president, U.S. senators, U.S. congressman, governor and state Legislature
About this poll
Telephone interviews of 606 likely North Dakota voters were conducted Oct. 6-8 in a statewide survey conducted by the Public Affairs Institute of Minnesota State University Moorhead. The poll, with a sample weighted for age, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
October 14-Fargo Forum
Stenehjem escapes a ‘lap full of deer’
Janell Cole
State Capitol Bureau - 10/14/2008
State Capitol Bureau
BISMARCK – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm escaped injury Sunday afternoon when Stenehjem’s SUV struck a large deer near Anamoose, Stenehjem said.
Stenehjem’s Cadillac Escalade has about $5,000 in damage to its left front corner. The buck ran off into a field and probably died, he said.
The attorney general said he and Hamm were on their way to a District 7 Republican rally in Rugby when the accident happened about 3:30 p.m. on a paved road about five miles north of Anamoose and south of state Highway 19.
Stenehjem said the deer – “I’m thinking 12-point buck, at least” – emerged at a run from a corn field on the right side of the highway, ran parallel to his SUV for a short distance and then suddenly turned left and ran across the ditch and onto the pavement in front of the vehicle.
Stenehjem said he braked as soon as he saw the deer, but still struck its left hindquarters. The deer ran into another cornfield on the left side of the road.
If the collision had been a second or so sooner, he would have “had a lap full of deer.”
The accident knocked out the Cadillac’s left headlight, but it was still drivable. Stenehjem said Monday that he and Hamm headed back to Bismarck and canceled their appearance in Rugby.
There was no cell phone service where the accident happened, he said. Hamm tried using his Blackberry and Stenehjem tried using his laptop with a cell phone modem, but without luck. Stenehjem said they eventually connected with the McHenry County sheriff’s office while nearing Wing.
October 11, 2008-Bismarck Tribune
10-11-2008: news-local
Hamm rejects Blue Cross request
By BRIAN DUGGAN
Bismarck TribuneInsurance Commissioner Adam Hamm denied on Friday Blue Cross Blue Shield’s request for a 14.9 percent rate increase for its group policies.
The denial is the second for North Dakota’s largest insurer in recent months after Hamm denied a 14.8 percent rate increase request from the company in July for its individual policies.
Hamm said he disapproved the newest request because the insurance company can “unilaterally” change the payments it gives to health care providers, which is included in its contracts.
“On the back end of the process, they reserved the right to change that number to their benefit and to health care providers’ detriment,” Hamm said. “That’s the first time an insurance company has done that in the history of North Dakota.”
Hamm said he also denied the request because “the benefits provided are unreasonable in relation to the premium charged.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield spokeswoman Denise Kolpack said the company is looking into what this will mean for the company and its 110,000 customers covered under its group policies.
“We found out about the decision the same time the public did this morning so we’re still analyzing the impact of that,” Kolpack said.
Hamm said he wants the insurance company to change the language in their contracts, which was the reason he denied the rate increase in July.
“The ball is back in their court,” Hamm said. “I’m hopeful they will change the language in the contract.”
Hamm also rejected the previous year’s 17.3 percent rate increase request for group policies under Blue Cross. Hamm ultimately approved a 9.9 percent increase for those policies.
October 11, 2008-Fargo Forum
Hamm again rejects plea for rate hike
Associated Press - 10/11/2008 BISMARCK, N.D. – Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm has rejected Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s request for a 14.9 percent rate increase for group policies.
The employee groups represent nearly a quarter of the members of Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is North Dakota’s largest insurer.
“We found out about this decision at the same time the public did, so we’re still analyzing this decision,” Blues spokeswoman Denise Kolpack said Friday. “We have a responsibility to our members and our providers to thoroughly weigh this decision and how it affects them.”
It is the second Blues rate request rejected by the insurance commissioner in recent months. In July, Hamm turned down the Blues’ request for a 14.8 percent increase in premiums for the bank depositor group, which represents individuals.
Hamm said more than 110,000 North Dakotans are covered under group policies through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
Hamm said one factor in his decision was that Blue Cross Blue Shield had indicated for the first time that it would cut medical payments to its providers, saying its contracts allowed that.
In July, the insurer said it was dropping plans for a 2.5 percent reduction in payments to the medical providers, though it said that would hurt its financial condition.
Hamm said the decision to drop plans for a cut came “part way” in addressing the issue, but it was not reflected in the Blues’ contract language.
“They need to amend their contract and remove the language that gives them the ability to unilaterally change payments to providers,” he said.
After Blue Cross Blue shield changes its provider contracts, it can refile its rate request, he said.
He said the insurer remains in good financial shape.
October 9, 2008-Williston Herald
Hamm is enjoying state post, campaign
BY PATRICIA CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
Recently appointed State Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm is enjoying his year in office as he is campaigning to secure a full four-year term.
“I love doing this job. I’m experienced in doing this job and I want to continue doing it for the next four years,” said Hamm.
Hamm’s election platform revolves around consumer protection and advocacy within the state’s insurance department.
“(Consumer protection) needs to be the number-one priority and number-one goal of any insurance commission in the country,” said Hamm.
Hamm’s agenda is to build on the success of the insurance department by providing additional assistance to the State Help Insurance Counseling Program (SHIC) and the Prescription Connection for North Dakota Program.
Hamm said these programs, which are “growing by leaps and bounds,” are particularly important to many people who lack appropriate insurance protection. Specifically, the prescription connection program helps people find free or discounted prescription medication, and the SHIC program provides assistance with any health insurance issue.
He added both programs have seen such significant demand that the resources sustaining them are running out.
“I’m not just talking about resources in terms of money. I’m talking about people resources; the ability to help as many folks as possible,” he added. “We are growing these two programs to meet the ever increasing need that exists out in North Dakota.”
Lastly, Hamm plans to address some of the most challenging issues within the health care industry, including a lack of competition among insurance providers, as well as the need to increase the state’s Medicare reimbursement rate.
Hamm said Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Dakota represents about 90 percent of the state’s insurance market, which has therefore limited people from shopping and comparing other insurance companies.
Hamm added the public needs a more competitive health insurance market.
“Over the next four years, I’ll be encouraging and working as hard as possible to grow this health insurance market to get more competition and choice for North Dakotans,” he said.
Hamm also intends to work diligently to increase the Medicare reimbursement rate by having the federal government “pay its fair share.”
“We plan to do this by working with our federal delegation, as well as state officials to leverage this in Washington, D.C.,” said Hamm, who wants citizens to be treated more fairly. “This very low reimbursement rate substantially affects our hospitals, clinics, and doctors.”
While Hamms works on increasing the amount of insurance providers available and increasing the Medicare reimbursement rate, he plans to implement a wellness education program to teach people the importance of living a healthier lifestyle and practicing preventative medicine.
“We need to make sure we are educating the public in North Dakota on all of these topics.” Hamm added.
Hamm graduated with a criminal justice degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and then graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1998.
After graduation, Hamm secured a job as an assistant state’s attorney in Cass County.
During his time in the state’s attorney office, Hamm worked as a prosecutor for personal crimes like murder, rape, robbery and child physical and sexual abuse.
In 2002, Hamm moved into private practice and five years later Gov. John Hoeven appointed him as state insurance commissioner.
Hamm grew up in Jamestown. He is married to Michelle Hamm, and the couple has two children, Wyatt and Halle.
October 10, 2008-Bismarck Tribune
10-10-2008: news-local
By BRIAN DUGGAN
Bismarck Tribune
Farm Bureau endorses three
The North Dakota Farm Bureau announced Thursday that it is endorsing John Hoeven for governor, Adam Hamm for insurance commissioner and Brian Kalk for public service commissioner.
All three are Republicans.
“The endorsements for Hamm and Hoeven are based on a proven track record of excellent leadership in their respective offices. Both of these individuals have displayed the dedication and vision North Dakota needs in government,” said Eric Aasmundstad, president of the farm bureau.
October 10, 2008-Bismarck Tribune
10-10-2008: news-local
Hamm responds to ad
By BRIAN DUGGAN
Bismarck TribuneThe race for insurance commissioner got heated on Thursday when the Democratic-NPL party released an ad criticizing GOP candidate Adam Hamm for a public service announcement that ran in August.
The ad, which was produced by the Washington-based Squier, Knapp and Dunn, addresses the controversy surrounding Hamm’s August PSA on prescription drugs.
“Can North Dakota trust Adam Hamm?” the advertisement asks. “Hamm took taxpayer money meant to help seniors with their prescription drugs and spent $30,000 on ads helping his campaign.”
The ad goes on to cite a Fargo Forum editorial critical of Hamm’s PSA.
In a Thursday press statement, Hamm called it, “one of the nastiest political ads North Dakota elections have ever seen.”
“The claims in the ad are blatantly false,” he said in his press statement.
Hamm said his opponent Jasper Schneider is funneling out-of-state money to fund the negative ad.
Democratic-NPL executive director Jamie Selzler said the Schneider campaign did not fund it.
October 5, 2008-Fargo Forum
Fall tradition
Lee Morris
The Forum - 10/05/2008
Green leaves fading to yellow formed a canopy above North Dakota State University’s homecoming parade.
Thousands, including generations of Bison families, watched 100-plus parade entries Saturday.
“Everyone’s excited!” yelled Kayla Schroeer, standing with fellow pharmacy students on North University Drive. They saw American flags, vintage cars and Halloween masks on the sunny, windy morning.
“It’s kind of just what you do; you celebrate Thanksgiving, don’t ya?” asked 30-year-old and lifetime parade devotee David Syverson, who attended NDSU in the late ’90s. “Got to keep the tradition.”
His father, Stuart, said the parade is similar to when he graduated from NDSU in 1970. He said the university’s 2004 entry into Division I has perhaps stoked the parade’s size and atmosphere.
Retired professor Donald R. Scoby watched a revamped Gold Star Band lead the parade.
“The improvement they’ve done to the band has been tremendous,” he said. Among other things, the band has grown from about 90 members to 160, according to Forum archives.
Following the band was university President Joseph Chapman, his wife, Gale, and Bison mascot Thundar.
Election-year politics also manifested itself in the floats of Gov. John Hoeven, Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm and Public Service Commission candidate Brian Kalk. Offsetting the swath of Republicans was the NDSU College Democrats.
“We’ve gotten the parade down to a pretty good science,” said Kim Bruemmer, NDSU coordinator of student activities and organizer of homecoming, which had the outdoors theme “Roughin’ It.” Homecoming events began Monday.
The festivities, though, may amount to less than what NDSU’s homecoming was when it started in 1921.
“It was unbelievable compared to what they have now,” said university archivist Mike Robinson about the early parades, which rolled down Broadway. “These floats, they spent a week building them.”
Robinson doesn’t downplay current enthusiasm for homecoming, though he laments the loss of the townwide celebration the week once was.
“When they played rivals, they would even include them,” Robinson said.
Saturday’s parade lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. The Bison won its football matchup versus Southern Illinois 35-27.
Former state Sen. Richard Brown, watching the parade near the Fargodome, said: “I think it’s a lot of variety, a lot of people watching, a gorgeous day.
“And I think it’s a nice parade.”
Readers can reach Forum reporter Lee Morris at (701) 241-5523