In this inaugural episode of the Healthcare Highway, CPR’s limited podcast series,  Ryan Olmstead sits down with Misha Sharp, the Assistant Director of Policy at the 32BJ Health Fund, to explore the Fund’s innovative approaches to tackling health care costs. The 32BJ Health Fund, a large, self-insured plan serving union members and their families along the East Coast, is at the forefront of addressing rising hospital prices and promoting health care affordability.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction to 32BJ Health Fund: Misha shares insights into the Fund’s mission-driven culture and its commitment to making health care more accessible and affordable for its members, who include essential building service workers like janitors, doormen, and security personnel.
• Policy Advocacy: The discussion delves into the Fund’s active role in shaping health care policy, including its involvement in New York’s Fair Pricing Act and efforts to promote price transparency in hospital services. Misha explains how these initiatives aim to standardize pricing and reduce costs for routine services.
• Employer Participation in Policy: Misha emphasizes the importance of collaboration between employers and unions in policy advocacy. She provides actionable recommendations for private employers looking to engage in health care cost containment efforts, from sharing their stories to joining coalitions.
• Purchasing Strategies: The episode highlights 32BJ’s innovative purchasing strategies, such as contract-aligned vendor procurement and expanding direct contracting for specialized medical services like joint replacement surgeries.
• Resources and Tools: Misha introduces valuable resources available on the Health Fund’s website, including contract templates, cost-saving calculators, and coalition information for those interested in joining the fight for affordable health care.