Dear Participants,

If you’ve noticed your health care costs climbing this year, you’re not imagining it. Employer health benefit costs are projected to rise higher in 2026, projections are stating we will see the highest increase in 15 years driven by rising prescription drug prices, growing use of specialty medications, and higher utilization of care overall.

At EAS Carpenters Benefit Funds, we take this trend seriously because it affects every one of our members and their families directly. That’s why this issue of our newsletter is dedicated to a topic we believe matters more than ever: the real, measurable value of preventive health, mental health support, and primary care in helping you stay healthy, and helping keep costs manageable for everyone in our plan.

The case for prevention. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension already account for more than $1 trillion in annual U.S. health care treatment costs, and nearly 34% of all medical spending is tied to a handful of largely preventable conditions. Yet only a small share of adults receives all the preventive services recommended for their age and risk profile. The upside of closing that gap is significant and could prevent thousands of deaths every year, and increasing cancer screening rates by even a small percentage will reduce cancer deaths by a wide margin.  It’s a fact that families using ACA-guaranteed preventive services already save thousands of dollars per year in out-of-pocket costs.

Primary care as a foundation. Having a consistent primary care relationship helps catch small problems before they become large, expensive ones, and it’s one of the simplest steps members can take to protect both their health and their wallet.

Why mental health deserves your attention. Mental health is not separate from physical health, the two are deeply connected, and when one suffers, so does the other. Worldwide, depression and anxiety alone drain an estimated $1 trillion a year in lost productivity, and workers struggling with their mental health miss nearly five times as many workdays as those who aren’t. Left unaddressed, mental health strain compounds: people managing both a chronic physical condition and an unmet mental health need face medical costs two to three times higher than average person. Reaching out for support early, before stress, anxiety, or depression become overwhelming, is one of the most powerful things a member can do for their long-term health, their family, and their peace of mind.

What this means for our Fund. None of this is about cutting corners on care, it’s about using it wisely. In the pages that follow, we’ll walk through benefits available to you at no or low cost, how to make the most of your mental health benefits, and why keeping a primary care provider should be at the center of your health plan. Taking advantage of these benefits is one of the most effective things you can do for your own health, and collectively, it’s one of the best ways our membership can help hold the line against rising health care costs.

As always, thank you for being part of our Fund. We’re committed to helping you get the most value and the best care from your benefits.

Sincerely,

Joe Obuchowicz

Fund Director