IABAC:  Mike, what experiences in your life - both in business and in government - have best prepared you for the job of Insurance Commissioner?
 
Mike Villines (pronounced "Vuh-LINES"):  Having owned a small business I understand the challenges that small businesses face and how often it seems like government is working against you. The Insurance Commissioner needs to work with businesses that follow the law so that they can be successful and in turn create jobs and a healthy, competitive market that ultimately benefits California consumers.
 
IABAC:  As you may know, California businesses providing insurance products and services were promised a more responsive DOI during the last election, but instead it seems to be taking longer and longer to bring new products and services to market for the consumers.  What actions would you take to address this slow-moving bureaucracy?
 
MV: A good first step to getting products to market quickly would be through regulatory streamlining - that still retains the public hearing process. We could also look at standardized insurance provisions or the use of presumptive regulations as an option to expedite the approval process. The bottom line is that we need more products into the market faster because more competition will lower prices and offer consumers more choices within their budgets. 
 
IABAC:  Health care reform has been a big topic of late resulting in many business owners, who are also consumers of health care, reacting with grave concern to the proposed government takeover of this vital sector of our economy.  What are your plans for addressing the health care system in California as Insurance Commissioner?
 
MV: Insurance Commissioners will have a critical role in shaping how health care changes in their state. I do not support the Federal health care package as a whole but I do believe that there are some pieces that are common-sense measures that California should implement. One of those pieces is expanding health coverage to more people who have pre-existing conditions and cannot get coverage in the private market.  
 
IABAC:  Mike, frivolous lawsuits are a tremendous drain on California's economy, including the insurance industry.  Frivolous litigation costs consumers in the form of higher prices and higher premiums. What can you do to address the issue of out-of-control litigation?
 
MV: Using alternatives to litigation - increased use of conciliation and administrative options - will have positive impacts on the number of frivolous lawsuit and help cut insurance costs. The Department already has experience in this field but the opportunity exists for expansion of these litigation alternatives both administratively and through statute. 
 
IABAC:  For our members who may be unfamiliar with your career as an Assemblyman from the Clovis (Fresno) area, what were your most significant focus areas as a state representative?
 
MV: A big focus for me was trying to improve the economy and create jobs - I pushed for a state "spending limit" so government cannot spend more money than it brings in and also for tax credits for small businesses who hire new employees. Another important issue for me was expanding heath insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and I authored legislation on that issue several times and was able to pass a bill on it this year. 
 
IABAC:  You know Mike, what we as business owners are experiencing in California is a downright hostile regulatory environment.  What reforms can an Insurance Commissioner enact to make it easier for business people in this state to take care of their customers?
 
MV: We need tough regulations to protect consumers but we also need more common sense in government. Government should not be the enemy of California's job creators. I would take a balanced approach and work to streamline regulations where it makes sense.
IABAC:  Please tell us what the biggest differences are and would be between an Insurance Commissioner Mike Villines and your opponent, Dave Jones?
 
MV: As Insurance Commissioner, I will work hard to control costs that have hindered job creation and cut barriers to competition to ensure consumers and businesses have access to affordable and available insurance. My opponent is a career politician with no private sector work experience who has consistently voted to increase the high taxes and high regulatory costs that have hurt California's economy.
 
IABAC:  Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
MV: I appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed for the IABAC newsletter. For more information on my campaign visit www.mikevillines.com and when you vote, just remember, "I like Mike."