Pay & Benefits
Fed Health Care Changes and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Some over-the-counter and out-of-network coverage may be different now that the pandemic emergency is over.
Management
What Public Health Lessons Need to Be Learned from the COVID Crisis?
Dr. Richard Stone joins the podcast to discuss his book and running VHA during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic.
Management
Passport Bottleneck Is Holding up International Travel by Americans Eager to See the World as COVID-19 Eases
Precautions taken in response to COVID-19 explain some but not all of the recent long delays in getting a passport.
Pay & Benefits
Fight the Long-Running FEHBP Abortion Ban, Gender Equity Group Urges House Democrats
The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network said the Hyde amendment unfairly makes women’s health care decisions more costly and traumatic, even when covered by exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother.
Oversight
Lawyer Fees Draw Scrutiny as Camp Lejeune Claims Stack Up
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which became law last year, created a pathway for veterans and their families to pursue damage claims against the government for toxic exposure at the military base. Now, advocates and lawmakers worry high lawyer fees could shortchange those injured.
Management
DeJoy Defends His Legacy to Congress Even as He Acknowledges USPS is Falling Short of Goals
The postmaster general leaves workforce cuts and major operational changes on the table as the Postal Service confronts unforeseen headwinds to financial stability.
Management
Old Guns Could Find a New Home With Federal Law Enforcement Officers Under a New Bil
Supporters say the bill, which the House approved on Wednesday evening, will save the federal government millions of dollars.
Tech
The IRS Will Test a Government-Run Free File System in 2024
The move could presage the large-scale deployment of free, government-furnished online tax prep services.
Nextgov
Survey: 45% of Gov Employees May Walk if Agencies Reduce Remote Work Flexibility
The survey suggests more than half of government employees prefer to work for an agency that offers hybrid and remote flexibility.
Management
Mental Health Statistics Reveal a Crisis in America
County officials are asking Congress for more funding and to change a pair of Medicaid rules that will allow governments to provide more mental health services.
Pay & Benefits
Fed Pay and Benefits Could be Hit Hard by Debt Ceiling Wheeling and Dealing
There are a few scenarios that could be bad for federal workers in the debt ceiling negotiations.
Workforce
Remote Work Has Been Controversial For Decades
Tom Shoop joins the podcast to discuss the history of federal telework policy.
Workforce
Could a New COVID Vaccine Offer Lifelong Protection?
"We need a better vaccine, one that provides years of robust protection with fewer booster shots against a variety of SARS-CoV-2 strains."
Management
With Just Weeks Until Potential Furloughs, Biden and McCarthy Hold 'Productive' Debt Talks
White House and congressional leaders conceded they remain significantly divided on key issues.
Workforce
Anti-Telework Bill Makes Its Way to the Senate
The SHOW UP Act, which narrowly passed the House in February, requires federal agencies to revert to their telework policies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pay & Benefits
Mandatory Overtime at VA Is Not Going Away Any Time Soon, Though Officials Acknowledge It's a Problem
It is all hands on deck as VA looks to handle a surge of new work.
Defense
A ‘Stronger, Faster’ Intelligence Community Is Possible With AI
But caution is needed to make sure the technology doesn’t go off the rails.
Oversight
Republicans Remind the White House They Still Want to Know More About Biden’s Labor Policies for Contractors
President Biden issued an executive order last year requiring project labor agreements for federal construction work.
Tech
Senate Bill Looks to Train AI-Ready Workforce, Focus on Risk Mitigation
The bipartisan legislation, introduced last week, aims to help public sector employees catch up with advancing AI technologies.
Tech