Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 3, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Endorses ‘Modified Montana’ Primary System, Urges Legislature to Enact Medical Malpractice Reforms

Gov. Gary Locke today urged the Legislature to enact a “modified Montana” primary system during his weekly news conference in Olympia. Locke also emphasized the need for the Legislature to adopt medical malpractice reform in the final week of the 58th legislative session.

The state Senate yesterday passed Senate Bill 6453, the so-called “modified blanket primary,” modeled after the Louisiana system.

“The Louisiana primary will result in endless litigation and decreased voter choice and participation,” Locke said. “The Senate missed an opportunity to adopt a system that avoids all the problems of the Louisiana primary. A modified Montana system would be a far superior option.”

The “modified Montana” system, developed by both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature and examined by county auditors, would not require voters to register with a party to participate in the primary election. Voters may voluntarily register with a party, or they can make no party selection. Those who choose not to register with a major party are considered “unaffiliated.”

Unaffiliated voters may choose any major party ballot during the election. Voters registered with a major party will receive only that party’s ballot.

“The modified Montana system maintains voter independence and choice,” Locke said. “It protects the political parties’ First Amendment right of association. And because it was developed in consultation with county auditors, we are confident that it can be properly administered.”

Locke also urged the Legislature to enact a package of bills to help improve the safety of patients and control the cost of medical malpractice insurance for doctors.


“At the beginning of the session we introduced proposals to help improve the safety of medical patients, moderate the cost of medical malpractice insurance and reform elements of the civil tort system,” Locke said. “With just a few days remaining in the session, we need to get beyond our rhetoric and come to resolution on a package of bills that will make a difference.”

A number of measures have been passed in the House and Senate committees, including:

·Taking steps to reduce filing of frivolous malpractice cases;
·Shortening the amount of time that an injured person can wait before he or she files a medical malpractice lawsuit;
·Reducing the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits; and
·Taking actions to increase patient safety and reduce medical errors.

Locke’s supplemental budget includes a proposal for a 29 percent Medicaid reimbursement rate increase for obstetricians and family practitioners who deliver babies and an 42 percent increase in payments for treatment performed by emergency room doctors. These increases will help doctors pay their malpractice premiums and other increasing costs, which will ensure that these critical services remain available across the state.

“We need to do our best to protect our medical patients,” Locke said. “We need to ensure people receive the medical attention that they need. We need to make sure our medical community is there to provide care, and we need to act now.”

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