Miami Service Workers

Challenge

For years, the SEIU Local 32BJ and Employers Taft-Hartley Health & Welfare Trust confronted excessively high health costs for more than 700 32BJ-represented workers employed at the University of Miami, Miami International Airport, and local commercial properties. The rate of growth in Miami workers’ health cost was not sustainable.

Solution

Trust leaders made a bold decision to tackle Miami health costs by adopting America’s Agenda high-value care delivery principles and bringing local union members unlimited, cost-free access to an expanded scope of primary care services. The Trust opened the Miami 32bj Health Center and workers helped select the doctor who would become their own personal physician.

Results

Overall health costs for participating union members have fallen year since implementation of the Health Center. Health outcomes for these workers have improved significantly. Nearly universally, union members express deep appreciation for the peronalized care experience their union and employer trust has provided. Several 32bj members describe the experience as “life-changing.” Others have called it “life-saving.”