Govexec.com bemoans the fact that there are fewer FEHB plans to choose this year because more HMOs dropped out than joined the Program. "According to the Office of Personnel Management, 10 states -- Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina and Vermont -- will no longer have an HMO choice." But all of the federal employee and annuitants in those states and across the country will be able to choose from among six high quality fee for service plans with preferred provider networks. Several of those plans offer more than one option. Certain employee groups have the choice of their own high quality employee organization sponsored plan. The OPM plan comparison tool is here.
You hardly need to read the FEHBlog to know that the House of Representatives passed its leadership's health care reform bill (H.R. 3962) by a two vote margin after an amendment was approved that strengthened the language in the bill that prevents federal funds to be used to pay for abortions, except where the pregnancy endangers the mother's health or in cases of rape or incest. The Wall Street Journal reports that
The health overhaul still has several hurdles to clear before it can become law, and its final passage is far from assured. The Senate must pass its own bill and meld it with the House bill before sending it to President Obama's desk. It's more difficult to pass legislation through the Senate, and despite Democrats' wide majority there, leaders are straining to bring together their fractious coalition. Any final bill is likely to be more moderate, and possibly less ambitious, than what passed through the more liberal House.
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