Health care workers' unions and health insurance: the 1199 story.

Labor unions that represent health care workers encounter unique circumstances. This study focuses on 1199--the largest health care workers' union in the United States, based in New York City--and describes how the union and its National Benefit Fund have structured a managed indemnity health insurance program that provides extensive benefits for its members. The authors detail the workings of the National Benefit Fund and the ways in which it can improve the health care of its members through its union structure. The Fund represents a model for improving the provision of health care to Americans.