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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Union Pacific Railroad is celebrating 150 years of business in the United States. This iconic American company is the country's largest railroad operation, covering two thirds of the U.S. The employees handle a diverse mix of commodities, transporting chemicals, coal, food, food product, grain, metal, autos and automobile parts.
This dynamic railroad company is aware of the importance of reducing our carbon footprint so Union Pacific has spent billions of dollars upgrading their locomotives so 80 percent are now certified with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Not to mention they've developed world-class energy conservation techniques, moving more freight with less fuel.
Another unknown fact is that over 140 years ago Union Pacific employees pioneered the concept of pre-payment where the workers donated part of their monthly salary to ensure they had health care. Now Union Pacific Railroad Employee Health Systems, with the commitment of a plan for life, is providing health benefits for over 20,000 active employees and 12,000 retirees of Union Pacific.
Known as UPREHS, members own and operate it, set up as a not-for-profit health care association. The organization has its own pharmacy and once operated the largest mail order pharmacy west of the Mississippi. One of the many successes of the Union Pacific Employees Health Systems is the strategic health care partnerships and employee network support. They work with over 450,000 physicians; 4,000 hospitals, surgery centers and specialty clinics; and 40,000 network pharmacies. This means they can negotiate rates and service.
In meeting with Kevin Potts, vice president of operations for UPREHS, he expressed the goal they have to provide the best medical health care benefits so the Union Pacific employees can continue being productive at work, home or play. Their strategy is to get better rates and service that continue to meet the changing needs of their members. How impressive that Union Pacific Railroad Employee Health Systems, headquartered in Utah, started over 140 years ago with the idea to take charge of their health care right into retirement.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Union Pacific Railroad Employee Health Systems 1040 N. 2200 West Salt Lake City, UT 84116 801-595-4300 www.uphealth.com
