SPECIAL REPORT

Health Care Reform

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March 2010 by President Barack Obama. The Supreme Court held up the statute's constitutionality in June 2012. The act's effects on government benefits is still not clear, but implementation of the act will also be an issue for feds.
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SPECIAL REPORT

Health Care Implementation Will Be Bumpy But Fruitful, Says Panel

May 21 IRS scandal not seen affecting privacy protections in Affordable Care Act.

USPS Extends Health Care to Non-Career Workers to Comply With Reform Law

April 30 Postal Service announces $239 million annual contract with UnitedHealthcare.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Sebelius Defends HHS Budget Request and Obamacare

April 12 GOP critics challenge the $4 billion hike the department seeks for 2014.

OPM Proposes Extending Fed Health Benefits to Same Sex Partners

April 11 The expansion is one of many FEHB changes suggested to lawmakers.

“This is simply inadequate, particularly in light of what will become the end of 2013 a three-year pay freeze,” National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley said.

Federal Unions Blast Obama Budget

April 11 Proposed 1 percent federal pay raise called weak, retirement changes criticized.

Military Health Care Reform Included in Obama’s Budget

April 10 Higher fees and new fees would be phased in over five years.

The House passed a budget plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., that would remove funding for the law instead of trying to remove it from the books altogether.

GOP Seeks to Unwind Health Care Overhaul By Starving Agencies of Funding

March 29 Law will be hard to kill entirely since many of its requirements involve mandatory spending.

Defense Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Service Members

February 11 Memo from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta makes anticipated change official.

Budget office predicts rocky start for health care law

February 6 New health insurance marketplaces set to launch later this year are unlikely to be fully ready in time, CBO suggests.

HHS responds slowly to GOP demands for Obamacare documents

January 14 House and Senate panels seek background on spending for P.R. and contractors.

How VA's Open Source Community is Improving Veteran Health Care

November 29, 2012 The innovative community has grown to over 1,500 members and spurred increased collaboration between 150 different organizations.

Peace Corps volunteer Megan Chandler worked with a women’s cooperative in Uganda from 2003 to 2006 on health education.

Peace Corps volunteers not properly informed on health care compensation options

November 20, 2012 Peace Corps, Labor aren't adequately tracking program for reimbursements, GAO says.

FEHBP enrollees generally pleased with health coverage

October 25, 2012 Feedback from feds and retirees indicates many don’t intend to switch plans during open season.

Military retirees see TRICARE fee hike

October 2, 2012 Many enrollees will pay 17 percent more in annual fees in fiscal 2013.

Will health rebate checks help Obama?

September 26, 2012 Despite enthusiasm, the checks are unlikely to shift perceptions in a major way.

Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., is a key critic of the law.

IRS defends implementation of health care law

September 11, 2012 Deputy commissioner tells GOP critical number of staff involved is 859.

Treasury may revamp flexible spending account rule

August 13, 2012 Government might scrap 'use it or lose it' rules.

Defense Comptroller Robert Hale

Lawmakers consider TRICARE request

August 7, 2012 Pentagon explains why it wants to move health care money.

Sandra Day O'Connor

Former Supreme Court justice not surprised by Roberts' health care decision

August 6, 2012 'That was a hard case,' Sandra Day O'Connor says.

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman

IRS chief defends implementation of health care law

August 2, 2012 Maine governor’s Gestapo comments were 'unhelpful rhetoric,' Shulman says.