The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) has partnered with Anything Insurance and the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) to open the BIAW Health Trust to WALP member companies. The Health Trust is a group health plan available exclusively to member businesses, and many members save 10 to 15% over what they currently pay for health benefits. The program offers medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus an employee assistance program, with more than 50 plans to choose from and a dedicated service team to answer questions from both employers and employees.
The two-employee minimum is a key feature that makes the program particularly valuable for smaller landscape companies. On their own, small employers are often priced as small groups with limited buying power. Through WALP, member companies gain access to a large group health plan and the greater buying power that comes with it.
Dave Haizlip, WALP State President, announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ on August 12. "We’ve worked on bringing this benefit to WALP members for quite some time because access to quality, affordable health insurance can make a real difference for landscape companies and their employees," Haizlip said. "Whether it’s a small company offering benefits for the first time or a larger company looking to reduce costs, this gives our members access to greater buying power. When we announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ and immediately had a small company member ask who they could contact to learn more, it reinforced exactly why we pursued this."
For landscape companies, health insurance can be a significant expense and an important tool for attracting and retaining employees. The Health Trust provides WALP members with access to group health coverage and competitive pricing that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. Access is available exclusively to active WALP member companies. Landscape companies interested in the program can learn more about WALP membership.
The partnership reflects a broader trend of industry associations leveraging group purchasing power to help small businesses access benefits that are typically reserved for larger employers. By opening the BIAW Health Trust to its members, WALP is addressing a critical pain point for landscape companies: the cost and complexity of providing health insurance. This move could improve employee recruitment and retention in a sector where competition for skilled labor is intense, and it may inspire similar initiatives in other industries.
The BIAW Health Trust is administered by the Building Industry Association of Washington, which represents member businesses across Washington state. Anything Insurance, a Benefit Solutions NW company, provides employee benefits and insurance services to Washington businesses. WALP represents landscape contractors, designers, suppliers, and allied businesses across Washington state, offering education, certification, networking, and member benefit programs. The partnership was announced in August 2026 and is already generating interest from small companies eager to explore the new benefit.
