IN THIS TIME of extreme political polarization, there aren’t a lot of issues that can unite all of us. Saving taxpayers and state employees tens of millions of dollars simply by modernizing a single contracting process, though, ought to be one.
As leaders of two organizations that have been on opposite ends of numerous debates over the years — a labor union and a free-market think tank — we have had plenty of policy disagreements.
However, this summer we put our political and ideological differences aside and supported a proposal to fundamentally change the way New Hampshire purchases prescription drugs. This one change will collectively save Granite Staters tens of millions of dollars.
Simply put, it would be one of the most significant health policy advancements in more than a decade.
Like most states, New Hampshire relies on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), companies that negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers and sell prescription medicines to health plans and pharmacies. They promise value and savings to state purchasers, taxpaying citizens and consumers at the pharmacy counter.
However, PBMs operate within a needlessly complex system that reduces the transparency of prescription drug prices. This past July, Gov. Chris Sununu and legislators passed a bill (HB 1280) that addresses this problem and promises huge savings for taxpayers and public employees.
The law directs the state to conduct an eBay-style dynamic reverse auction for PBMs vying to win the state’s business. Under traditional bidding, different PBM proposals used different complex formulas, making it impossible to do accurate comparisons.
This new reverse auction method uses a 21st-century online bidding system that gives the state more control over the bids. Finally, it’s possible to make “apples to apples” comparisons of PBM bids on the basis of their value. The system then uses multiple rounds of bidding, through which PBMs vie actively to underbid one another.
In our New Hampshire solution, PBMs will bid to fulfill contract terms determined by the state, not by the PBMs. This change puts control of these contracts, which total hundreds of millions of dollars, back in the state’s hands. A Josiah Bartlett Center study this year found that taxpayers can save up to $22 million per year over a three-year period.
The state’s new law achieves three critically important goals.
First, it helps address budget shortfalls at a time when we need bipartisan, fiscally responsible solutions. The state potentially could close a large portion of any pandemic-induced budget gap just by rebidding its PBM contract, avoiding budget cuts elsewhere.
Using this online reverse auction to procure a new PBM contract can redirect millions of taxpayer dollars in excess prescription drug spending back to our state budget, where such savings will be sorely needed next year.
In addition, the savings will provide relief at the pharmacy counter for Granite State patients in the midst of a pandemic, where taxpayers and consumers will see a reduction in their out-of-pocket costs.
Second, this change replaces an outdated PBM selection process with a 21st-century approach to PBM contracting that harnesses the power of built-in market incentives to drive down prescription drug costs.
Third, our new law will deploy this leading-edge data analytics technology to perform rapid electronic audits of prescription drug invoices that PBMs present to the state every two weeks.
This kind of ongoing, technology-enabled bill review (in use by many of the most successful businesses in the country) will enable New Hampshire government to monitor public dollars transferred to PBMs before they are spent, assuring that taxpayers are not being overcharged.
By using a similar state-of-the-art PBM bill review system, the state of New Jersey recently captured $42 million in PBM overcharges in a single year that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
That’s exactly what a good government should do.
Our state is replacing the old public-sector paradigm of “pay now and audit later” with a more efficient, modern system that will do what New Hampshire often does — set a strong fiscal example for the rest of the nation.
At a time when we desperately need it, our state’s elected leaders have brought us a bipartisan health care solution that can help families pay lower prices at the pharmacy counter and preclude the need to make potentially painful budget decisions.
Given that it’s a plan so strong that it can bring two longtime ideological rivals like us together in support, the state should waste no time putting it into action. We are heartened that the state has begun the process of choosing a technology vendor to implement a reverse auction and encourage continued forward momentum to bring about these important savings.
Glenn Brackett of Northwood is president of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO. Andrew Cline of Bedford is president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy.https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/glenn-brackett-and-andrew-cline-saving-taxpayers-millions-of-dollars-is-an-issue-that-should/article_207bdfea-606e-5ab8-8077-dd296bb937d4.html
DC special interests are trying to buy the New Hampshire Senate. Will our senators let it happen?
DC special interests are trying to buy the New Hampshire Senate. Will our senators let it happen? https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/right-to-work-leader-helps-bundle-100k-to-10-gop-senate-candidates/article_a6c242bf-2dff-5ec8-a04a-f373ad100d03.html?block_id=868819
ICYMI: Our 2020 Linda Horan Scholarship Award Recipients
The Linda Horan Scholarship Awards
The NH AFL-CIO named our Scholarship Fund after IBEW Sister Linda Horan who lost her battle with cancer in 2016 . She was a true warrior for Labor and the Scholarship program was very important to her. She ALWAYS believed in leaving the ladder down to help young people rise up!
Each year we invite affiliate members and their families to apply for a scholarship award by writing an essay on a topic we select.
With 2020 forcing us to face triple crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic inequality (exacerbated by the pandemic), and a serious need to address racial injustice in our country, we decided that the importance of our elections had reached a new level and that our topic should be related to our election process. We selected the following essay topic:
Since voting is so important, what do you think should be done to ensure every citizen can exercise his or her right to vote in Nov. 2020 without endangering their lives? Are there better solutions than in-person voting, and voting on election day only? If voting is not done in person, how do we account for election security and making sure that our votes are counted? How can we make sure that the voices of working people are heard in this election?
Essays were judged on understanding, writing style, and significance to Labor Unions. Applicants were encouraged to draw on the experiences of their families and communities.
With many excellent and thoughtful essays, selecting winners was difficult. Congratulations to winners of the 2020-2021 awards.
1st Christine St. Peter $ 1,500.00 Michael St. Peter/IBEW # 2320 University NH Junior
2nd Alysse Cleasby $1,000.00 Brian Cleasby/AFGE Local #948 Bates College Freshman
3rd Tara Fitzpatrick $ 750.00 Brian Fitzpatrick/APWU Local #230 Lehigh University Senior
4th Olivia Montine $500.00 Kimberly Montine/AFT #1044 Seton Hall University Senior
5th Timothy Holmes $500.00 Kathryn Holmes/AFT #1044 Saint Anselm College Senior
Our Endorsed 2020 Candidates for US Senate, House, Governor, NH Senate, and Executive Council.
Brothers & Sisters,
Please find below a list of our endorsed candidates for the US Senate, Governor of New Hampshire, and New Hampshire Senate and Executive Council in the 2020 election. Please circulate widely and let us know if we can help you get the word out on these endorsements.
U.S. Senate – Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
Governor of New Hampshire – Dan Feltes
Member of Congress Dist.1 – Rep. Chris Pappas
Member of Congress Dist. 2 – Rep. Annie Kuster
Our New Hampshire Senate Candidates
1: Rep. Sue Ford
2: Selectman Bill Bolton
3: Theresa Swanick
4: Sen. David Watters
5: Councilor Suzanne Prentiss
6: Councilor Chris Rice
7: Hon. Phil Spagnuolo
8: Jenn Alford-Teaster
9: Sen. Jeanne Dietsch
10: Sen. Jay Kahn
11: Sen. Shannon Chandley
12: Sen. Melanie Levesque
13: Sen. Cindy Rosenwald
14: Nancy Hendricks
15. Becky Whitley
16: Sen. Kevin Cavanaugh
17: Nancy R.B. Fraher
18: Sen. Pres. Donna Soucy
19: Councilor Joshua Bourdon
20: Sen. Lou D’Allesandro
21. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
22: Tom Haynes
23: Sen. Jon Morgan
24: Sen. Tom Sherman
Our Executive Council Candidates
District 1: Mike Cryans
District 2: Cinde Warmington
District 3: Mindi Messmer
District 4: Mark Mackenzie
District 5: Deb Pignatelli
ATTN NH Unions: Help us Contact other Labor families!
Brothers & Sisters:
This year’s election presents a stark choice for the New Hampshire labor community – a presidential campaign that pits Vice-President Joe Biden and his proven record of support for organized labor and Donald Trump, the most anti-working families president of our lifetimes. With the stakes as high as they are, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO has planned an aggressive fall campaign. And we are asking you to do your part.
As leadership for your local we are asking that you send us either the number of volunteers you have who are willing to volunteer or send around our sign up form at https://rb.gy/9ho3u3.
If your members are planning to phonebank:
Once we know who or how many folks will be volunteering from your local, we will send you/your member a login, pin, password and code to enter a phone bank to our LAN account (https://rb.gy/ukrohk). This will allow your members who have committed to volunteer phonebank for the NH AFL-CIO.
We have phone banks currently scheduled from 5-8PM Tuesday through Thursday. We can certainly be flexible with folks if they wish to commit to a different time slot, our team is happy to help and answer any questions you have. At 5PM for the next couple weeks or as needed, we will offer a zoom training to any new phone bankers, and will send a link to committed volunteers in addition to the listed information above.
Please make every effort to engage your members in this crucial election. We might not have another chance to defend our rights as union members if we don’t make the effort now.
In Solidarity:
President Glenn Brackett
New Hampshire AFL-CIO
Congratulations to our 2020 Endorsed House Candidates!
Below is a complete list of our endorsed 2020 House candidates.
1 Belknap Robert Joseph Jr Democrat
2 Belknap Diane Hanley Democrat
2 Belknap Natalie Taylor Democrat
2 Belknap Dara McCue Democrat
3 Belknap Carlos Cardona Democrat
3 Belknap Gail Ober Democrat
5 Belknap Stephen Larimer Copithorne Democrat
5 Belknap Duane Hammond Democrat
6 Belknap Douglas Trottier Democrat
6 Belknap Don House Democrat
9 Belknap Charlie St. Clair Democrat
1 Carroll Anita Burroughs Democrat
2 Carroll Stephen Woodcock Democrat
2 Carroll Tom Buco Democrat
3 Carroll Jerry Knirk Democrat
4 Carroll Caroline Nesbitt Democrat
8 Carroll Eve Klotz Democrat
1 Cheshire Lucy Weber Democrat
1 Cheshire Michael Abbott Democrat
1 Cheshire Paul Berch Democrat
1 Cheshire Catharyn Harvey Democrat
2 Cheshire John Mann Democrat
3 Cheshire Daniel Eaton Democrat
4 Cheshire Lawrence Welkowitz Democrat
5 Cheshire John Bordenet Democrat
9 Cheshire Douglas Ley Democrat
9 Cheshire Richard M. Abel Ames Democrat
10 Cheshire Lucius Parshall Democrat
11 Cheshire Patricia Ann Martin Democrat
12 Cheshire Barry Faulkner Democrat
15 Cheshire Bruce Tatro Democrat
16 Cheshire Joe Shapiro Democrat
3 Coos Larry Laflamme Democrat
3 Coos Henry Noel Democrat
4 Coos Evalyn Merrick Democrat
5 Coos Edith Tucker Democrat
7 Coos Troy Merner Republican
2 Grafton Timothy Egan Democrat
3 Grafton Denny Ruprecht Democrat
6 Grafton Kevin Maes Democrat
8 Grafton Suzanne Smith Democrat
8 Grafton Joyce Weston Democrat
10 Grafton Roger Dontonville Democrat
11 Grafton Timothy Josephson Democrat
12 Grafton Russell Muirhead Democrat
13 Grafton George Sykes Democrat
13 Grafton Richard Abel Democrat
13 Grafton Laurel Stavis Democrat
13 Grafton Susany Almy Democrat
14 Grafton Elaine French Democrat
15 Grafton Ed Rajsteter Democrat
16 Grafton Francesca Diggs Democrat
17 Grafton Joshua Adjutant Democrat
1 Hillsborough Marjorie Porter Democrat
2 Hillsborough Rachel Cisto Democrat
2 Hillsborough Jen Paveglio Democrat
4 Hillsborough Jennifer Bernet Democrat
4 Hillsborough Kermit Williams Democrat
5 Hillsborough Donna Mombourquette Democrat
5 Hillsborough David Woodbury Democrat
6 Hillsborough Jonathan West Democrat
6 Hillsborough Judi Lanza Democrat
7 Hillsborough Daniel Dong Democrat
8 Hillsborough Jeff Goley Democrat
8 Hillsborough Diane Langley Democrat
9 Hillsborough Iz Piedra Democrat
9 Linda Di Silvestro Democrat
10 Hillsborough Patrick Long Democrat
10 Hillsborough Ron Shaw Democrat
11 Hillsborough Donald Bouchard Democrat
11 Hillsborough Nicole Klein Knight Democrat
12 Hillsborough Andrew Bouldin Democrat
12 Hillsborough Amanda Bouldin Democrat
14 Hillsborough Mary Heath Democrat
14 Hillsborough Brian Cole Democrat
15 Hillsborough Erika Connors Democrat
15 Hillsborough Thomas Katsiantonis Democrat
16 Hillsborough Joshua Query Democrat
17 Hillsborough Heidi Hamer Democrat
17 Hillsborough Timothy Smith Democrat
18 Hillsborough Patricia Cornell Democrat
19 Hillsborough Kendall Snow Democrat
19 Hillsborough William Zackeroff Democrat
20 Hillsborough Nikki Fordey Democrat
21 Hillsborough Wendy Thomas Democrat
21 Hillsborough Kathryn Stack Democrat
21 Hillsborough Bryce Stack Democrat
21 Hillsborough Cindy Parente Democrat
23 Hillsborough Peter Petrigno Democrat
23 Hillsborough Alexander Lloyd Democrat
23 Hillsborough Maria Perez Democrat
24 Hillsborough Peter Leishman Democrat
25 Hillsborough Laura Lynch Democrat
26 Hillsborough Christopher Wheeler Democrat
27 Hillsborough Kat McGhee Democrat
28 Hillsborough William Bordy Democrat
28 Hillsborough Jan Schmidt Democrat
28 Hillsborough Bruce Cohen Democrat
30 Hillsborough Sherry Dutzy Democrat
30 Hillsborough Suzanne Vail Democrat
30 Hillsborough Patricia Klee Democrat
31 Hillsborough Manny Espitia Democrat
31 Hillsborough David Cote Democrat
32 Hillsborough Dan Toomey Democrat
32 Hillsborough Allison Nutting-Wong Democrat
32 Hillsborough Michael Pederson Democrat
33 Hillsborough Frances Nutter-Upham Democrat
33 Hillsborough Efstathia Booras Democrat
34 Hillsborough Catherine Sofikitis Democrat
34 Hillsborough Deb Stevens Democrat
34 Hillsborough Melbourne Moran Jr Democrat
35 Hillsborough Laura Telerski Democrat
35 Hillsborough Latha Mangipudi Democrat
35 Hillsborough Skip Cleaver Democrat
36 Hillsborough Michael O’Brien Sr Democrat
36 Hillsborough Linda Harriott-Gathright Democrat
37 Hillsborough Steven Katsos Democrat
37 Hillsborough Robert Sherman Democrat
37 Hillsborough David Hennessey Democrat
37 Hillsborough Barbara Blue Democrat
38 Hillsborough Jim Bosman Democrat
39 Hillsborough Gary Evans Democrat
42 Hillsborough Matt Wilhelm Democrat
43 Hillsborough Amy Bradley Democrat
44 Hillsborough Candace Moulton Democrat
45 Hillsborough Constance Van Houten Democrat
45 Hillsborough Jane Beaulieu Democrat
1 Merrimack Ken Wells Democrat
3 Merrimack Joyce May Fulweiler Democrat
4 Merrimack Tom Schamberg Democrat
6 Merrimack Roderick Pimentel Democrat
6 Merrimack Tony Caplan Democrat
9 Merrimack Lois Friedrich Democrat
9 Merrimack Leslie Bergevin Democrat
10 Merrimack Mel Myler Democrat
10 Merrimack David Luneau Democrat
10 Merrimack Mary Jane Wallner Democrat
11 Merrimack Steve Shurtleff Democrat
12 Merrimack Connie Boyles Boyles Lane Democrat
14 Merrimack Jim MacKay Democrat
15 Merrimack Eric Gallager Democrat
16 Merrimack Timothy Soucy Democrat
17 Merrimack Safiya Wazir Democrat
17 Merrimack Dennis Soucy Democrat
18 Merrimack Kris Schultz Democrat
19 Merrimack Christy Dolat Bartlett Democrat
20 Merrimack David Doherty Democrat
20 Merrimack Diane Schuett Democrat
21 Merrimack Hugh Curley Democrat
23 Merrimack Mary Beth Walz Democrat
23 Merrimack Gary Woods Democrat
24 Merrimack Kathleen Martins Democrat
24 Merrimack Harry Kozlowski Democrat
26 Merrimack Lorrie Carey Democrat
27 Merrimack Art Ellison Democrat
27 Merrimack Rebecca McWilliams Democrat
28 Merrimack Katherine Rogers Democrat
29 Merrimack Miriam Cahill-Yeaton Democrat
3 Rockingham Michael DiTommaso Democrat
4 Rockingham The Rev Jane Van Zandt Democrat
4 Rockingham Russell Norman Democrat
4 Rockingham Matthew Krohn Democrat
5 Rockingham Anne Warner Democrat
5 Rockingham Luisa Piette Democrat
5 Rockingham Ted Combes Democrat
5 Rockingham Robin Skudlarek Democrat
6 Rockingham Michelle Sawyer Moge Democrat
7 Rockingham Valerie Roman Democrat
8 Rockingham Cam Iannalfo Democrat
8 Rockingham Maureen Thibault Democrat
8 Rockingham Bonnie Wright Democrat
8 Rockingham Sara Dillingham Democrat
8 Rockingham Greg Davis Democrat
8 Rockingham Donna Loranger Democrat
9 Rockingham Gregory Tillman Democrat
9 Rockingham Mark Vallone Democrat
10 Rockingham Ellen Douglas Democrat
11 Rockingham Liz McConnell Democrat
13 Rockingham Trish Tidd, OD Democrat
14 Rockingham George Wesley Hamblen Democrat
17 Rockingham Charlotte DiLorenzo Democrat
17 Rockingham Ellen Read Democrat
18 Rockingham Lisa Bunker Democrat
18 Rockingham Mark Paige Democrat
19 Rockingham Debra Altschiller Democrat
21 Rockingham Robert Renny Cushing Democrat
21 Rockingham Mike Edgar Democrat
22 Rockingham Jim Maggiore Democrat
23 Rockingham Dennis Malloy Democrat
24 Rockingham Kate Murray Democrat
25 Rockingham Laura Pantelaskos Democrat
26 Rockingham Rebecca Susan McBeath Democrat
27 Rockingham Peter Somssich Democrat
28 Rockingham Gerald Ward Democrat
29 Rockingham David Meuse Democrat
30 Rockingham Jacqueline Cali-Pitts Democrat
31 Rockingham Joan Livingston Hamblet Democrat
32 Rockingham Hal Rafter Democrat
36 Rockingham Alexis Simpson Democrat
2 Strafford Emmanuel Krasner Democrat
3 Strafford Heath Howard Democrat
4 Strafford Matthew Towne Democrat
4 Strafford Cassandra Levesque Democrat
6 Strafford Timothy Horrigan Democrat
6 Strafford Marjorie Smith Democrat
7 Strafford Timothy Fontneau Democrat
11 Strafford Chuck Grassie Democrat
13 Strafford Casey Conley Democrat
15 Strafford Ariel Oxaal Democrat
16 Strafford Sherry Frost Democrat
17 Strafford Peter Bixby Democrat
18 Strafford Wendy Chase Democrat
18 Strafford Gerri Cannon Democrat
18 Strafford Cecilia Rich Democrat
19 Strafford Peter Schmidt Democrat
20 Strafford Thomas Southworth Democrat
21 Strafford Catheryn Sandler Democrat
22 Strafford Peg Higgins Democrat
23 Strafford Sandra Keans Democrat
24 Strafford Jeremiah John Minihan Democrat
1 Sullivan Brian Sullivan Democrat
1 Sullivan Lee Oxenham Democrat
5 Sullivan Liza Draper Democrat
7 Sullivan Claudia Istel Democrat
9 Sullivan Linda Tanner Democrat
10 Sullivan John Cloutier Democrat
The NH AFL-CIO endorses Plymouth Selectman Bill Bolton for Senate
The longtime public health official and current chair of the Plymouth Selectman Bill Bolton is a former member of SEA/SEIU 1984.
(Hooksett, NH – September 7th, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of Plymouth Selectman Bill Bolton for the New Hampshire Senate in District 2.
“The AFL-CIO recognizes candidates that support working families, collective bargaining, a safe workspace and equitable wages. We see that in Bill Bolton, a former SEA/SEIU member, and are proud to endorse him for the NH Senate in District 2,” New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett said.”His thirty year record effectively managing taxpayer money in public health in New Hampshire means that he’ll immediately be a voice for safe workplaces during the current pandemic and beyond.”
Bolton, a seven-year veteran of the Plymouth Select Board, spent his 30-year professional career working for the citizens of New Hampshire in public health. Starting his career as a Lab Scientist and Assistant Director of the Public Health Laboratories, he later served as the Chief of staff for the NH Certificate of Need Board, and State Registrar and Director of the Division of Vital Records Administration under the Secretary of State. He is also Chair of the Pemigewasset River Local Advisory Committee, and has served on Plymouth’s Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Energy Commission, and School Board. He has also served on the Boards of several nonprofit organizations such as the Lakes Region Planning Commission, Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Keep The Heat On (Plymouth Area Community Closet), and as Producer of the Educational Theatre Collaborative.
“As a former member of a union, I know how much they fight for their membership and for workers’ rights. I am incredibly grateful to have this endorsement,” Bolton said. “Thank you AFL-CIO for endorsing me in my campaign for NH Senate District 2!”
NH AFL-CIO endorses Derry Town Counilor Josh Bourdon for Senate
The veteran councilor has spent the last six years serving Derry and hopes to represent Derry, Hampstead, and Windham in NH Senate.
(Hooksett, NH – September 7th, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of Derry Town Counilor Josh Bourdon for the New Hampshire Senate in District 19.
“Josh’s work on the Derry Town Council and his volunteer work in the community has made clear that he’s focused on helping working families by any means available to him,” said New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett. “His management of taxpayer money while assuring public safety in Derry demonstrates that he’ll be a capable leader in the New Hampshire Senate.”
Since joining the Derry’s Select Board in 2014, Bourdon has worked to increase funding for public safety and helped negotiate and resolve disputed labor contracts. He worked to create the Net Zero Task Force all while giving back and helping people in need. Over the past six years, Bourdon and his wife Leah have supported the Soup Kitchen, homeless Veteran population, low income families, the Derry Friendship Center, and Cancer research.
“I am honored to have the support of the AFL-CIO. The AFL-CIO represents what is best about New Hampshire,” Bourdon said. “They always work hard and have not let up, even in the middle of a pandemic. Working families can trust that I will always listen and advocate for them.”