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 about doing this job and I want to continue doing this job 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.