House Panel Discusses Federal Employee Health Coverage

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 08 Aug 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce on Thursday held a hearing to discuss benefits for federal government workers, the Washington Post reports. Subcommittee Chair Danny Davis (D-Ill.) said he held the hearing because "the federal government must keep current in the types of benefits it offers employees if it is to attract and maintain a quality work force."

At the hearing, Linda Springer, director of the Office of Personnel Management, and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) "sparred" over whether federal employee benefits were competitive with the private sector and whether the government should increase the amount it covers for employee health insurance premiums. Springer said that surveys have shown federal employees are satisfied with their benefits.

However, Holmes Norton questioned whether the private sector provides better salaries and health care benefits. Davis announced that he is drafting a bill to make improvements to federal benefits, including paid time off for maternity leave and care of elderly or sick relatives (Barr, Washington Post, 8/3).

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