Business Insurance informs us that Rep. Joe Sestak (D Pa.) has introduced a bill in Congress (H.R. 3930) to extend the health care continuation subsidy available to involuntarily terminated employees, including federal and postal employees. Without an extension of the law, the 65% subsidy will begin to sunset at the end of this month. The subsidy became available in March 2009, and it extends for nine months. Under Rep. Stesak's bill, the subsidy period would be 15 months, and it would made be available to people who lose their jobs in 2010. I am surprised that this extension was not included in the House healthcare reform bill.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the 2010 Medicare Part B reimbursement rates for doctors under the sustainable growth rate formula that Congress routinely overrides. The 2010 adjustment is negative 21.2%. It's not a question of whether the override will occur; it's a question of when. As secondary payer to a multitude of Medicare beneficiaries, FEHB plans have an interest in these changes.
Govexec.com reported on OPM's efforts to ameliorate changes in the Federal Employees Long Term Insurance Program.
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