Issue Position: Consumer Protection

Issue Position

Issue Position: Consumer Protection

In 2005, the legislature supported Mike's proposal to move responsibility for Consumer Protection to the Department of Justice. Since then, he has ensured that more legal and program resources have been devoted to protecting Montana consumers. He has created an identity theft passport program to assist victims, provided training in investigating and prosecuting identity theft, and successfully proposed security freeze legislation that allows consumers to protect themselves and their credit.

Under Mike's leadership, the department created the Montana End-of-Life Registry. The free online service securely stores directives relating to life-sustaining treatment and provides authorized health care providers immediate access to those directives so people's wishes for their end-of-life care are respected.

Mike also actively promoted legislative efforts to restrict telemarketing practices by adopting a Montana Do-Not-Call List.
In the wake of the so-called "energy crisis" of 2000-2001, Mike successfully sued some of the nation's energy traders for manipulating the Western energy markets and driving many of Montana's major employers out of business, costing us hundreds of good-paying jobs. In an effort to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable, he also filed suit against some major drug companies for defrauding our seniors as well as taxpayers, by seeking unauthorized Medicaid reimbursements.

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