Putting Members First: How Payer Matrix Is Supporting Union Health & Benefit Funds
Union benefit funds exist for one reason above all else: to protect members and their families when they need support the most. As healthcare costs continue to rise—especially for specialty and life-saving medications—benefit funds are under increasing pressure to balance sustainability with compassion.
In a conversation with Michael Jordan Chief Growth Officer, Michael spoke with John Durso President of RWDSU/UFCW Local 338 about how Payer Matrix is helping unions meet that challenge while staying true to their values.
An Early Adopter’s Perspective
Durso, whose union benefit fund was among the early adopters of the Payer Matrix program, didn’t hesitate when asked about the experience. His response was rooted not in spreadsheets or balance sheets, but in people.
“Payer Matrix has made a difference in the lives of my members,” Durso shared. “It’s taken pressure off not just the union, but more importantly, the members who need it.”
For union members facing serious health conditions, the stress doesn’t stop at the diagnosis. Navigating access to high-cost medications, understanding coverage, and worrying about affordability can become an overwhelming burden—at a time when health and recovery should be the sole focus.
Reducing Stress When It Matters Most
According to Durso, one of the most powerful aspects of the program is how it removes pressure from members during their most vulnerable moments. When someone is already dealing with a serious illness, the last thing they should have to worry about is how they’ll access or afford their medication.
“Those members already have enough on their plate,” Durso explained. “Payer Matrix helps take some of that pressure off so they can concentrate on what’s really important—getting healthy.”
This approach reflects a core union principle: benefits aren’t just a line item, they are a promise. A promise that members will be supported, respected, and cared for when they need help the most.
Strengthening Funds While Protecting Dignity
While the impact on individual members is clear, Durso also noted that programs like Payer Matrix help relieve long-term strain on benefit funds themselves. By addressing rising specialty drug costs in a responsible and strategic way, funds can remain strong and sustainable—without shifting the burden onto members.
Durso summed it up simply but powerfully:
“Payer Matrix has been nothing short of a godsend to our members and to our union.”
A Model Aligned With Union Values
For the ULA Network, this conversation underscores a broader lesson for the labor movement. When benefit solutions are designed with empathy, transparency, and member well-being at the center, they do more than control costs—they reinforce trust between unions and the people they represent.
As unions continue to explore innovative ways to protect health benefits and support working families, programs like Payer Matrix offer an example of what’s possible when innovation and union values move forward together.
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