Labor Day is a time to recognize the workers who keep our California communities running every day. It's also an opportunity to recognize one of the lasting results of their work: the health benefits that help workers and their families access care, manage chronic conditions, and navigate life's unexpected challenges.
At Blue Shield of California, that's what labor partnerships are all about. “We’re not simply offering coverage. We’re helping our members truly understand, access, and use the benefits they've worked so hard to secure,” said Tera Clizbe, vice president of Labor and Trust at Blue Shield of California, and chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office executive board. “Our commitment to organized labor is rooted in a shared belief that quality healthcare should support the well-being, security, and long-term success of working families.”
For decades, Blue Shield has partnered with labor organizations, public sector entities, and Taft-Hartley Funds to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions tailored to the unique needs of union members, retirees, and their families. These relationships are built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to serving working people.
“That commitment matters even more as healthcare needs continue to evolve,” said Clizbe. “Members increasingly need support around behavioral health, preventive care, cancer awareness, chronic disease management, and wellness resources that help them stay healthy over the long term.” Blue Shield works closely with labor organizations and their employers to support the whole person, recognizing that physical, emotional, and mental health are all deeply connected.
Earlier this year, Clizbe appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast, where she reflected on growing up in a multigenerational union family, an upbringing that shaped her understanding of how much healthcare benefits matter to working people. “The ultimate goal is ensuring workers, retirees, and their families can fully understand and benefit from the healthcare they’ve earned,” she said.
For many union households, healthcare is also much more than just a benefit package. “Healthcare is often one of the most valued benefits of a union membership, because it directly affects a person’s financial security, well-being, and quality of life,” said Clizbe. “It also provides peace of mind, knowing that a worker can access care after an injury, manage a chronic condition, support a loved one through an illness, or receive preventive care that helps avoid more serious health issues in the future.”
Looking ahead, Clizbe believes the future of labor-health partnerships will depend on the trust, education, and meaningful engagement that health plans build with their members. Labor healthcare leadership, she said, is “no longer just about negotiating rates and managing plans … it's about communication, prevention, trust, and community connection.” She is proud that those principles continue to guide Blue Shield's work with labor organizations across California, helping ensure members can access the care, resources, and support they need to thrive.
As open enrollment season begins this fall, members will have an opportunity to review their healthcare options and evaluate what matters most to them and their families. Whether it's comparing plan choices, reviewing provider networks, evaluating prescription drug coverage, or exploring wellness and support programs, taking time to understand available benefits can help members make informed decisions and get the most from their coverage.
“Labor Day is an opportunity to recognize the hardworking individuals and families who strengthen our communities every day,” said Ken Lautsch, vice president and general manager of Premier and National Accounts at Blue Shield of California. “We’re grateful for the trust California’s labor organizations place in us, and as open enrollment nears, we are focused on helping members confidently choose the coverage and care that best fit their needs.”
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Listen to Tera Clizbe's interview on The America's Work Force Union Podcast