We bring health care industry experts, labor leaders and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans together to address the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities of today's health care environment. Utilizing many platforms enables us to reach members where they are and advocate on what may impact our members tomorrow.
Webinars
Featuring:
- Jennifer Jones, Director of Clinical Solutions at Noom
- Cody Fair,Chief Commercial Officer at Noom
GLP-1 medications are becoming an increasingly important tool in addressing obesity and metabolic health—but medication alone doesn’t guarantee long-term success. For union members balancing demanding jobs and variable schedules, sustained outcomes require more comprehensive support.
Key Takeaways:
- Why medication alone isn't enough for long-term success
- How behavior change strengthens GLP-1 effectiveness and safety
- What integrated support through NoomRx looks like
- How a member-first approach improves engagement and outcomes
Featuring: The National Labor Office's Merrilee Logue and Spring Health's Nicole Rogers
We are bringing together behavioral health and labor leaders to explore the intersection of co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD), and how these conditions can elevate suicide risk among union members. Together, we'll discuss how union advocates and benefit leaders can help identify signs earlier, reduce stigma, and improve access to care that meets members where they are.
Whether your union is seeing signs of substance use or building proactive support systems, this conversation will give you the tools to lead with care, protect your members, and strengthen your union.
Have affordability and access gotten better since the pandemic? | September 2024
Featuring: Color, Hello Heart, Sword Health
Cancer, musculoskeletal (MSK), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) consistently rank as the most prevalent and financially draining conditions for union members and benefits leaders. Color Health, Hello Heart, and Sword Health have joined forces to solve for the standard approach to care through digital health solutions and new approaches to improve member health without the costly claims.
Publications
Navigating Retiree Healthcare: The Advantages of Medicare Advantage | June 2023
National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems
Podcasts
In collaboration with America's Work Force 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.
Blue Cross Blue Shield NLO on Maternal Mental Health and Union Workers | May 2026
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the NLO and Arin McClune, Clinical Quality Senior Program Manager lead a critical conversation on maternal mental health—one of the most common yet under addressed complications of pregnancy and childbirth. The episode highlights the unique role unions can play in improving awareness, access and support for working mothers.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Kari Hedges on the Evolution of Care | April 2026
Kari Hedges, Senior Vice President of Market Solutions at the BCBSA, joins the AWF Union Podcast to discuss how the U.S. health care system is evolving—and what it means for union members. Drawing on decades of experience, Hedges outlines both progress and persistent challenges, with a focus on improving access, efficiency and care coordination for working families.
Food Is Medicine Gains Ground in Union Health Care | March 2026
As “Food Is Medicine” moves from concept to implementation, BCBS leaders discuss how these programs are expanding across union health care. This follow-up conversation explores how nutrition-based benefits—paired with education and community partnerships—are helping working families better manage chronic conditions and improve overall health outcomes.
Food Is Medicine: Blue Cross Blue Shield for Unions | January 2026
BCBSA's NLO and public health experts Aishat Magbade and Sarah Duggan Goldstein highlight the growing “Food Is Medicine” movement and its relevance for union members. The discussion focuses on how nutrition-based interventions can help prevent and manage chronic disease—especially for workers facing barriers like shift work, rising costs and limited access to healthy food.
Celebrating 60 Years of Advocacy with the National Labor Office | December 2025
Merrilee Logue commemorates the National Labor Office's 60th Anniversary, highlighting the origins, changes in labor and healthcare, and key partnerships that support union advocacy nationwide.