Bill would increase government’s contribution to federal health insurance

The government would pay more of the health insurance tab for federal employees under a broad civil service bill introduced Wednesday in the House.

The Good People, Good Government Act (H.R. 4580), introduced by Rep. Connie Morella, R-Md., would raise the government's contribution to health insurance premiums in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program from an average of about 72 percent to 76 percent. FEHBP provides coverage for some 9 million federal employees, retirees and their families.

Federal employees, government leaders and lawmakers have expressed concerns about the rapid rise in FEHPB health care premiums. Premiums have jumped nearly 50 percent over the last four years, rising an average of 13.3 percent in 2002-the biggest increase since the 1980s. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md. and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., have also introduced legislation that would raise the government's FEHBP contribution.

Morella's bill also includes several provisions aimed at improving the government's employee recruitment and retention record through training and workforce planning. The proposed legislation, which requires agencies to link recruitment and retention activities to larger strategic goals, directs agencies to appoint chief human capital officers responsible for implementing workforce planning strategies. The bill also calls on agencies to appoint training and recruitment officers to develop the skills of current employees and to attract talented outside candidates.

In addition, the bill requires agencies to maintain records on hiring and employee training.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, introduced broad civil service legislation (S. 1603) in October 2001 that would put in place a federal chief human resources officer at each agency and provide more money and opportunities for job training. S. 1603 is now in committee.