Podcasts
In collaboration with America's Work Force (AWF) Union Podcast, Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office (NLO) shares it's perspective on trending health care topics that are impacting America's working people.
FEP: 65 Years of Trusted Care for America’s Federal Workforce | October 2025
Blue Cross Blue Shield's Federal Employee Program (FEP) continues to deliver comprehensive healthcare to 5.7 million members nationwide—and overseas. Learn from the NLO's Merrilee Logue and FEP's David Yoder, Senior Vice President on what’s new for open enrollment, premium adjustments, and how innovative tools and global network make quality care simpler than ever.
Suicide Prevention: Blue Cross Blue Shield's Approach to Mental Health | September 2025
Featuring: The National Labor Office's Merrilee Logue and Spring Health's Nicole Rogers
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO discusses suicide prevention, mental health resources and industry-specific challenges. She highlights the importance of addressing mental health stigma, outlined available support systems and emphasized the need for increased awareness and action.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's Approach to Affordable Healthcare | August 2025
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO and Mark Talluto, Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Sales Programs, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss healthcare affordability. They explored the definition of affordability, current market trends and Blue Cross Blue Shield's initiatives to address rising costs.
Medicare Advantage: Simplifying Coverage for Union Members | July 2025
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor OfficeBlue Cross Blue Shield Association and Duncan Lawson, Director of Market Intelligence for Government Programs at BCBSA, joined the America's Work ;Force Union Podcast to discuss Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
BCBSA and Boys & Girls Clubs partner to improve youth mental health | June 2025
Merrilee Logue NLO, Keisha Adams (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association) and Jennifer Bateman (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the partnership between BCBSA companies and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. They highlighted the first discussion of the collaboration on AWF back in May 2024, then discussed the implementation of trauma-informed practices, the impact of trauma-informed specialists and the Apprenticeship Readiness Workshop initiative.
Mental Health Awareness: BCBSA's approach to mental health | May 2025
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO, and Dr. Ruthie Fesahazion-Fortune, Project Director for Clinical Affairs at BCBSA, discuss the mental health crisis facing American workers. In this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, they explore common mental health challenges, workplace impacts and BCBSA's strategies to address these issues.
NLO Executive Director discusses cancer awareness and care | April 2025
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss statistics related to cancer diagnoses, the importance of preventive care and screenings and a union's role in supporting members through their cancer journeys.
Exploring GeoBlue: International travel health insurance insights | March 2025
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO, and Lynn Pina, Chief Marketing Officer at GeoBlue, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the benefits of GeoBlue, the necessity of additional coverage when traveling abroad and how GeoBlue can assist union members and their families during their international travel plans.
FEP is ready to assist federal employees during open enrollment period | November 2024
Merrilee, Executive Director of the NLO, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEP) discuss the benefits and coverage provided by FEP, which serves over 5.5 million federal employees, retirees, and their families.
Logue’s cancer journey helps union members navigate cancer care | October 2024
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO, shares her personal journey with breast cancer on the America's Work Force Union Podcast, she highlights the importance of having a support system and being proactive in healthcare.
CPWR, NLO and NABTU working to address opioid misuse in the trades | September 2024
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO, and Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director at The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share insights on the support available through medical plans and community resources, and the ongoing efforts to reduce opioid and suicide-related deaths in the construction sector.
Explaining health care options for union members approaching retirement | August 2024
Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the NLO and Duncan Lawson, Director of Market Intelligence for Government Programs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the health care landscape and options available to union members as they approach retirement.
BCBS partners with the Boys & Girls Club to improve mental health care | June 2024
Merrilee Logue, NLO Executive Director and Keisha Adams, Managing Director of Strategic Execution and Partnerships for BCBSA, joined AWF Union Podcast to talk about their new partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to improve youth mental health care.
BCBSA taking on youth mental health crisis with trauma-informed care | May 2024
Merrilee Logue, NLO Executive Director, and Dr. Razia Hashmi, Vice President of Clinical Affairs with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to continue our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month.
BCBSA Getting the Word Out About the Medicaid Redetermination Process | April 2024
Merrilee Logue, NLO Executive Director and Mikal Sutton, the Managing Director of Medicaid Policy for the BCBSA, joined AWF Union Podcast to talk about the process for Medicaid Redeterminations and how Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are working to give American’s access to coverage.
NLO and BCBS on Elimination of Women's Health Inequalities | March 2024
To round out Women’s History Month, Merrilee Logue, NLO Executive Director joined the AWF Union Podcast to discuss women’s disparities and health equity.
NLO Providing Health Needs for Unions | January 2024
Merrilee Logue, NLO Executive Director, joined the AWF Union Podcast to discuss the NLO, her journey to leading the union-focused organization and how they ensure it provides the best solutions for all union members.