Long before there was the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, there was the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, which actually became a model for the new ...
Long before the nation had the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), federal workers, including elected and appointed U.S. government officials, had the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Many believe the FEHBP was the model for the ACA.
In the past, many private-sector employers didn’t offer health insurance to employees. Of those that did, many gave workers very limited choices and sometimes reduced benefits or boosted premiums (or both) when people retired.
While many feds find fault with the FEHBP, most nonfederal workers would be happy with the coverage, options and premium sharing deal in which the government pays about 70 percent of the total premium. Postal workers get an even better deal thanks to their union contract, which requires the USPS to pay even more of the total premium.
One of the arguments for health care reform, such as the ACA, was that ordinary Americans deserved the same coverage that is available to members of Congress (who are also under the FEHBP). They pay the same premiums and get the same coverage as rank-and-file feds in the same plans, except that representatives and senators do get VIP suites and treatment at several major military facilities like the old Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed.
In many instances, the incredibly complicated ACA law is based on the FEHBP program — except for the premium sharing.
Walton Francis, editor of the Checkbook’s Guide To Federal Health Plans says everybody in the program should consider its positive strong points during the open enrollment period that ends Dec. 10. Among them:
NEARLY USELESS FACTOID
By Jack Moore
Moustafa Ismail, dubbed the Egyptian Popeye for his 31-inch biceps, eats seven pounds of protein, nine pounds of of carbohydrates and three gallons of water to maintain the world’s biggest arms, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Sadly, he’s not a fan of spinach.
(Source: WTOP)
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Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
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