Weekend update

Congress remains in session this coming week on Capitol Hill. Of note is the House Appropriations Subcommittee mark-up of the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill for FY 2017. That session is scheduled for May 25 at 9:30 am. This is the appropriations bill that funds the FEHBP.  

Last week, the Obama Administration posted its semi-annual regulatory agenda for Spring 2016. Here is a link to OPM's agenda.  Several FEHBP tweaks  are found therein. Bear in mind that the preamble advises that "This publication does not impose a binding obligation on OPM with regard to any specific item on the agenda. Regulatory action in addition to the items listed is not precluded."

The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that

Quarrels have broken out behind the scenes of Anthem Inc.'s $48 billion proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp. as the health insurers seek regulatory approval for their landmark deal, according to a series of letters reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
People on both sides say the squabbles could delay or derail antitrust approvals, which are typically harder to obtain if both parties aren't in sync. While neither company has sought to terminate the merger, the people say, and it doesn't appear in danger of imminent collapse, Anthem and Cigna are bickering on several fronts.

It's not a good sign when sensitive information like this leaks out to the press.