Infographic

3 ways the system falls short for Taft-Hartley members

Uncover how long wait times, rising costs, and fragmented care are leaving Taft-Hartley plan members without support.
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Infographic showing Taft-Hartley healthcare challenges, including long wait times, rising healthcare costs for union families and union health plan statistics affecting members and trustees.

Taft-Hartley healthcare challenges run deeper than most plans account for. Members face long waits, out-of-pocket costs that delay care, and a fragmented system that rarely treats the whole person. Meanwhile, trustees are under mounting pressure to deliver real value despite rising costs and care shortages. What does the data reveal—and what does it mean for the future of union health plans?

Union worker receiving a forearm exam during an occupational health visit, representing healthcare challenges for union members and the need for accessible, coordinated care.
THE REAL IMPACT

When the system falls short, members and plans both pay

Access gaps are keeping members away from care

Long waits, inflexible scheduling, and rushed appointments push members to delay or skip care entirely. With an average 31-day wait for a healthcare appointment and 21 million U.S. adults working overnight shifts, the system simply isn't built around the lives of union members and their families.

Rising costs are straining everyone

Rising costs hit hard: 36% of adults delay care due to cost, and monthly premiums for union families have climbed more than $579 since 2015. Fragmented care only deepens the problem—driving chronic conditions and higher spend.

  • Offering advanced, coordinated care is a powerful extension of the union promise—delivering not just wages and benefits,
    but a healthier, more secure future for every member.

    LARRY KRISNISKI
    Business Manager, UA Local 636