Bill Summary
This legislation, titled the "Ensuring FEHBP Coverage During Pandemic Act," seeks to amend the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to include a special enrollment period during a nationwide pandemic. This means that employees who are not enrolled in a health benefits plan under the FEHBP can enroll during this period, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management. Additionally, those who are already enrolled can change their enrollment during this time. This amendment applies to all contracts entered into before, on, or after the date of enactment of the Act.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could provide access to health benefits for employees who were previously unenrolled due to financial or other reasons, potentially improving their overall health and well-being.
2. The legislation could also lead to increased enrollment in health benefits plans, which could result in higher costs for employers and potentially impact the company's budget.
3. The legislation could also potentially impact the insurance industry, as it may require changes in policies and procedures to accommodate the special enrollment period during a nationwide pandemic.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7475 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7475
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the period of a
nationwide pandemic is a special enrollment period under the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 1, 2020
Mr. Vela introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Reform
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A BILL
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the period of a
nationwide pandemic is a special enrollment period under the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring FEHBP Coverage During
Pandemic Act''.
SEC. 2. FEHBP SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD DURING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
(a) In General.--Section 8905 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j)(1) An unenrolled employee may, during the period that a
nationwide pandemic is in effect (as determined by the Office of
Personnel Management), enroll in a health benefits plan under this
chapter.
``(2) An employee who is enrolled in such a plan may, during any
period described in paragraph (1), change such enrollment.''.
(b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply
to any contract entered into under section 8902 of title 5, United
States Code, before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
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