Tuesday Tidbits

The Federal Times reports about health care reforms impact on the FEHB Program. The article reflects on the future of the Sen. Grassley (R Iowa) amendment to shut down the FEHB Program in favor of the state based health insurance exchanges and the Sen. Wyden (D Ore.) amendment to open the FEHB Program to all comers. I can't imagine either amendment being adopted. The impact of this legislation on the FEHB Program would take longer to develop.

Politico shared with the public today a letter that a group of "distinguished economists" wrote the President approving healthcare reform efforts. What's troubling is that the letter expressly describes the Senate Finance Committee bill's Cadillac plan tax as a critical element of reform, and that tax, combined with the bill's $6.7 billion assessment on health plans, would have a direct adverse impact on the FEHB Program principally because of its demographics. The Program would be penalized because of its demographics plain and simple.

The New York Times reported yesterday on the impact of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act which becomes applicable to the FEHB Program on January 1, 2010.