Paid Family and Medical Leave

Nobody should have to choose between caring for themselves, a sick loved one or a new child and paying the bills. Unfortunately, in New Hampshire, 77 percent of working people – about 542,000 workers – have no guarantee that they won’t miss a critical paycheck when these things happen. We need to ensure that everyone in New Hampshire has access to paid family and medical leave so that they can be there when their families need them most.

Affordable Prescription Drugs

High prescription drug prices are forcing families in New Hampshire to make the impossible choice of paying for life-saving medications, or other essential expenses like rent and utilities. Between 2015 and 2009 the average annual cost of prescription drug treatment for Granite State families rose by 26.3%, while the annual income in New Hampshire only rose by 9.4%.

Prescription drugs should be affordable and accessible for hardworking families when they need them. We need broad reform that allows companies to invest in innovative new drugs, without breaking the bank for working families.

Reliable, Affordable Elder Care

As New Hampshire’s population continues to age, providing adequate elder care is a significant concern. Families need confidence their elderly loved ones will be cared for with compassion. We need access to patient-centered care options that don’t bankrupt families or ask working people to make impossible choices between caring for their loved ones or themselves.

Quality, Affordable Child Care

Too many Granite State families are struggling to find reliable, affordable child care. The average annual cost of infant care in New Hampshire is over $12,791, which puts a huge burden on working families. Hardworking families need access to affordable, high-quality child care. Decades of research show that child development during the first few years of life is critical to their long-term success and happiness. Without access to affordable child care, thousands of Granite Staters are forced to choose between taking care of their children and staying in the workforce.

Guaranteeing Earned, Paid Sick Days

Changing policies for earned leave will ensure working people can recover or seek preventive care when they or their children are sick. Currently, over a third of Granite State workers lack access to even a single paid sick day so are forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or their families when they’re sick.

Higher Minimum Wage

People in New Hampshire are working harder than ever. Although productivity has increased, for most families, wages have not kept up with rising costs. Hard, honest work should be rewarded, and working people have earned an increase in the minimum wage.