Managing Public Sector & Union Health Plans: Insights from Cody Purdy

If rising healthcare costs, complex governance, and pressure to preserve rich benefits are making health plan decisions harder, this episode offers a practical framework for building sustainability through data, communication, and proactive change. Resources Mentioned: 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including plan sustainability, healthcare cost drivers, and strategic decision-making. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out to John Dodson, Senior Marketing Strategist for Employee Benefits, [email protected]. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Cody Purdy, National Practice Leader for IMA's Taft-Hartley and Government Practice, to explore the unique realities of managing health plans in public sector and union environments. Cody explains why these plans require a different strategy than traditional corporate benefits, from governance structures and stakeholder dynamics to longstanding employee expectations around rich benefits and retirement. He breaks down the biggest forces driving cost today, including prescription drugs, specialty medications, cancer, and underlying healthcare inflation, while making the case that inaction is no longer a viable strategy. From using employee census data and member feedback to proactively managing plan design over time, Cody shares what separates high-performing plans from those that fall behind. He also walks through a striking Taft-Hartley case study that shows how active, strategic management can restore long-term stability without abandoning the value members depend on. Whether you support a city, school district, or labor trust fund, this episode offers practical guidance for balancing sustainability, employee expectations, and change. Guest Bio: Cody Purdy is National Practice Leader for IMA's Taft-Hartley and Government Practice, where he helps public employers and labor organizations navigate the structural, financial, and strategic complexities of health plan management. Based in Denver, Colorado, Cody brings a service-minded perspective to benefits consulting and is passionate about helping plans stay sustainable while protecting value for members and employees. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing in Colorado and chasing tarpon on salt water with a fly rod. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:28: Introduction to rising healthcare costs and the unique pressure facing public sector and union health plans. 01:28 - 02:31: Cody shares where he is based and his love of fly fishing, including saltwater tarpon fishing. 02:31 - 04:51: Overview of Cody's role and why Taft-Hartley and government plans require specialized expertise. 04:51 - 07:27: What drew Cody to this work and how his team supports clients through research, tools, and customized consulting. 07:27 - 09:35: Why public sector and union plans require a different strategy than private sector benefit programs. 09:35 - 12:44: Decision-making realities, stakeholder layers, and the budget and governance pressures shaping these plans. 13:03 - 17:50: The biggest healthcare cost drivers today, including GLP-1s, specialty drugs, cancer, and rising medical costs. 17:50 - 20:23: Why data matters and the practical data sources every employer already has, including census data and employee feedback. 20:23 - 24:11: What separates high-performing plans from struggling ones and why taking the first step matters. 24:11 - 25:59: Leadership mindsets that drive better outcomes, including curiosity and a willingness to challenge the status quo. 25:59 - 30:50: A Taft-Hartley case study on rebuilding a financially troubled plan and the power of strategic, active management. 31:03 - 33:47: Common misconceptions about public sector and union plans, including the myth that these groups cannot change. 33:47 - 36:33: Why communication is one of the most underused tools in benefits strategy and how perceived value shapes employee experience. 36:48 - 40:03: Looking ahead: AI, future disruption, and the move toward more targeted and self-directed benefits support. 40:03 - 42:21: Cody's closing advice: start now, stay curious, and reframe change as a path to long-term sustainability. 42:21 - End: Closing thanks and show outro.