Union bosses dumped more than $7.5 million into the Wisconsin and Michigan governor races only to see both states' labor-reforming incumbents re-elected.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, both Republicans, were two of the five governors publicly targeted by union coalition AFL-CIO in February. Last Tuesday, Walker defeated Democrat Mary Burke 52-47, and Snyder defeated Democrat Mark Schauer 51-47.

Big labor hates ? and in 2012 tried to recall ? Walker because of 2011's Act 10, a centerpiece of his agenda limiting the power of public-sector unions. Snyder signed two right-to-work laws in 2012, empowering most Michigan workers to opt out of paying labor union bosses and launching himself near the top of the union enemies list.

Without accounting for union contributions to Democratic Party committees or any of a laundry list of politically active "progressive" nonprofits, unions this year spent at least $4,387,631 against Walker and at least $3,276,973 against Snyder. These figures likely far understate unions' staff and monetary investments in both races.

Based on campaign finance reports filed with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, Burke's failed campaign received more than $650,000 of cash and in-kind support from labor unions.

The Washington, D.C., headquarters of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, United Food and Commercial Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and International Association of Fire Fighters each sent Burke donations of the maximum $43,128 allowed by state law.

National Education Association headquarters sent Burke $43,000 from D.C., and her campaign received max contributions from Wisconsin Professional Police Association, United Auto Workers Wisconsin and NEA-affiliate Wisconsin Education Association Council. Several WEAC locals gave Burke four- or five-figure donations.

Campaign finance reports submitted to the Michigan secretary of state show union contributions to Schauer exceeding $630,000. International Union of Painters and Allied Trades sent $50,000 from its national headquarters, IBEW headquarters donated $44,500, UFCW headquarters gave $44,300 and AFSCME headquarters gave $34,000.

Schauer received maximum $68,000 contributions from the Michigan affiliates of UAW and Communications Workers of America, and received $60,381 from Michigan Education Association.

Although labor bosses profess opposition to unlimited independent expenditures from "super PACs," most union spending against Walker and Snyder came from independent expenditures. Union fronts Greater Wisconsin Committee and We Are Wisconsin spent a combined total of more than $3.7 million in big labor's latest attempt to defeat Walker.

Greater Wisconsin Committee PAC spent $1,218,468 in the governor's race and received $1,298,000 from WEAC in the latest reporting period. AFSCME headquarters funneled $2,370,000 to We Are Wisconsin Political Fund and WEAC gave $500,000 during the latest reporting period, while the group spent $2,517,443 in the governor's race.

"Once again, Big Labor failed in its attempt to defeat Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the author of collective bargaining reform," Brett Healy, president of the Wisconsin-based, free-market MacIver Institute said in an email to Watchdog.org.

"One union boss even said they had 'a score to settle' with Walker," Healy added.

"Wisconsin taxpayers, on the other hand, are ecstatic that Act 10 has saved them almost $3 billion dollars over the last (four) years which has led Walker to cut taxes by $2 billion dollars, freeze property taxes at 2010 levels statewide and freeze tuition at the University of Wisconsin.

"The popularity of Act 10 with Wisconsinites is exactly the reason why Big Labor's decision to spend their members' hard-earned money on this wild-goose chase is so ridiculous and disappointing," Healy said. "It is clear the unions are more worried about yielding crass political power than the welfare of their members.

"Sounds to me like the taxpayers have settled the score, once and for all, with Big Labor," Healy said.

In Michigan, union super PACs sank more than $2.6 million into unseating Snyder. NEA Advocacy Fund spent $703,747, Service Employees International Union Community Alliance spent $689,270 and AFL-CIO's Workers' Voice spent $632,459.

Michigan For All spent $644,617 in the governor's race, fueled by donations of $300,000 from SEIU Community Alliance, over $700,000 from AFSCME, and more than $400,000 from NEA Advocacy Fund.

F. Vincent Vernuccio, labor policy director at Michigan's free-market Mackinac Center, told Watchdog.org the Nov. 4 election "was less a referendum and more a reaffirmation on labor reform."

"The referendums occurred in May and July, which were the two deadlines for unions to put right-to-work on the ballot in Michigan, either as an initiative or a constitutional amendment," Vernuccio said. "And it happened throughout the governor's race, where right-to-work was not even an issue used by Snyder's opponents against him."

DAVENPORT, Iowa (November 10, 2014) - The Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park was a revolutionary success in its first season of operation, and on Monday Ballpark Digest named the Ferris wheel the Best Ballpark Improvement in all of baseball for the 2014 season. Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard made the announcement at Modern Woodmen Park during a Monday press conference with River Bandits owner Dave Heller and government officials from the City of Davenport. The publication has recognized the 83-year-old stadium in its annual award for best ballpark improvement in four of the past seven seasons.

On May 24, the Quad Cities River Bandits became the first team in Minor League Baseball to open a Ferris wheel inside its ballpark. It was part of the debut for a full lineup of amusements - including the Mediacom Drop'N Twist, Space Camp gyroscope and dual zip line - that opened every weekend, including non-game days, for the Quad Cities community to enjoy through November 1. The amusements welcomed more than 68,000 riders combined in 2014.

"The Ferris wheel has elevated family-friendly entertainment to a new level in the Quad Cities, both literally and figuratively, so we are pleased to accept this great award on behalf of this entire community," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Ballpark Digest is widely respected and known as the industry standard, which makes this award that much more meaningful. Our great partnership with the City of Davenport has been critical to beautifying and enhancing Modern Woodmen Park, and our fans and community partners have bought into that vision to make this ballpark the best in America and the pride of the Quad Cities."

A year after Modern Woodmen Park was voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in America by readers of USA TODAY and 10Best.com, the ballpark drew its largest average attendance - 3,885 per game - in franchise history.

"We are humbled and grateful for the record support of our fans this season, and for the national recognition of the Best Ballpark Improvement award for the Ferris wheel," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "These achievements energize and propel us further toward our goal of making Modern Woodmen Park the central gathering place for the people throughout the Quad Cities region."

The Ferris wheel joins an award-winning lineup of several other improvements to Modern Woodmen Park under Main Street Baseball's ownership, including the iconic corn field, sports lounge, Pepsi Loge Boxes and Budweiser Champions Club - all previously recognized by Ballpark Digest.

"It's always a treat to return annually to Modern Woodmen Park ? there's always something new to see and experience," said Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest publisher. "Adding a Ferris wheel to the ballpark is a great move: the views of downtown Davenport and the ballpark are spectacular, and, besides, who doesn't love a ride on a Ferris wheel?"

The Ferris wheel stands atop the ballpark's left-field berm, 105 feet above the playing field, with 20 gondolas seating up to six adults or eight people including children. Riders from two months to 100 years - and four-generation families together - have enjoyed the unparalleled views of Modern Woodmen Park, the Centennial Bridge, the Mississippi River, and both the Iowa and Illinois sides of the waterway. With millions of color combinations from the LED lights on the ride, fans and riders have enjoyed an entirely different light show each night.

The success of the Ferris wheel and amusements at Modern Woodmen Park also made a tremendous impact in the local community. For each ride in 2014 on the Ferris wheel, Mediacom Drop'N Twist, Space Camp gyroscope, and zip line, 50 cents will be donated to Genesis Health Services Foundation, benefiting Camp Genesis, Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities. With ownership personally making up any difference, the River Bandits pledged a $50,000 cash donation to the Genesis Health Services Foundation. In addition, the Ferris wheel opened on May 24 with the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser. Proceeds from the pre-sold 300 tickets and the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event went to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation in the Quad Cities.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.

Looking Beyond Premiums & Secretary Burwell Response

Earlier this summer, the I AM (Still) ESSENTIAL coalition sent a letter to HHS Secretary Burwell alerting her of various access-to-care issues patients have experienced during their first year of enrollment in qualified health plans. Signed by 333 patient organizations, the letter outlined key areas of concern including limited benefits (particularly related to prescription medications and provider networks), high cost-sharing, and lack of transparency and uniformity. In her response received last week, the Secretary addresses some of the issues that we raised.

As we look forward to year two, we are eager to review the 2015 qualified health plans when the open enrollment period begins on November 15^th. The I AM (Still) ESSENTIAL coalition and the patients we represent, especially those living with chronic health conditions, are anxiously awaiting plan details. We will be examining plans closely this year, beyond simply focusing on premiums, to ensure that the 2015 plans are better for patients than those in 2014.

Below is a list of questions that we will be asking as we review the plans. Finding answers to these questions will be the best way to determine if the concerns that we detailed in our letter to Secretary Burwell have been addressed.

1.       Have prescription drug formularies narrowed or expanded?

• Plans must include the greater of at least one drug per class or the number of drugs in each class as contained the state's benchmark. In 2014, some plans exceeded the benchmark requirements while others simply met the minimum drug coverage requirement. Some plans did not include combination therapies.

2.       Have medications approved over the past two years been added to the formularies?

• For a list of newly approved drugs go to:  http://www.centerwatch.com/drug-information/fda-approved-drugs/

3.       Have deductibles decreased or increased, including separate prescription drug deductibles?

• Some plan deductibles were as high as the maximum patient out of pocket costs, which means that the plan would only begin to pay for costs after the beneficiary has spent $6,300 for an individual.
• According to a RWJF study, exchange plans had an average combined medical and prescription deductible of $2,763 in 2014. Among the plans with a separate prescription drug deductible, the average was $933.

4.       Are plans utilizing co-insurance instead of co-pays, and if so, at what percentage?

• An Avalere study found that 59 percent of Silver plans on exchanges across the nation use coinsurance for consumer cost-sharing on the specialty tier.
• The analysis also found that 23 percent of plans have coinsurance rates of 30 percent or more on the highest formulary tier.

5.       Are plans utilizing discriminatory practices by placing certain classes of drugs all on high tiers and does this include generics?

• The ACA prohibits issuers from using "benefit designs that have the effect of discouraging the enrollment in such plan by individuals with significant health needs". In 2014, some plans placed all drugs, including generics, in a certain class on the highest cost-sharing tier.

6.       Are patients able to access complete drug formularies and provider networks easily?

• In 2014, users of plan websites found it difficult to locate complete lists of drugs that the plan covered or a directory of medical providers in each plan's network.
• For 2015, CMS is requiring plans to list one single web address with complete plan formularies and provider directories without a consumer having to log on.

7.       Are patient cost-sharing and utilization management policies clearly defined? Is utilization management being more widely used?

• In 2014, consumers found it difficult to determine how much they had to pay for their medications. CMS will be requiring plans in 2015 to include tiering information.
• The use of co-insurance makes it even more difficult for patients to determine their out of pocket costs.  An analysis by Avalere of exchange plans found that plans on the exchange were more likely to use utilization management techniques than employer plans.
• CMS has said they will be reviewing plans "that are outliers based on an unusually large number of drugs subject to prior authorization and/or step therapy requirements in a particular category and class."

Angela Ostrom

Chief Operating Officer

Epilepsy Foundation

301/918-3766

aostrom@efa.org

Carl Schmid

Deputy Executive Director

The AIDS Institute

202/669-8267

cschmid@theaidsinstitute.org

Andrew Sperling

Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy

National Alliance on Mental Illness

703/244-7893

Andrew@nami.org