Friday, March 19, 2010

A big day

I am exhausted from attending my favorite education event of the year -- the OPM AHIP FEHBP carrier conference -- and then trying to catch up on the NCAA tournament. I will be sharing some highlights over the weekend.

The Congressional leadership did release the Congressional Budget Office report and the 153 page managers' amendment which serve as the reconciliation sidecar. The President postponed his Asian trip until June and the House leadership is scheduling a floor vote for Sunday, according to the Politico. Here is the Rules Committee's summary of the managers' amendment. Here is the Politico's arena of opinions on the CBO report. (Yes, I am in the tank for the Politico).

Govexec.com has an interesting report about the how the managers' amendment links the increased 40% high cost excise plan tax thresholds to premium increases in the Blue Cross Federal Employees Plan standard option. The tax would take effect in 2018 rather than 2013 as provided under the Senate bill.
Business Insurance reports that  "In all, the changes [to the excise tax] would reduce the amount of revenue generated by the tax by 80%, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

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