Archive for News

NALC Opposed To Cutting Saturday Delivery

As cutting Saturday mail service seems to becoming closer to a reality, the unions (and the public) have voiced their opposition to this plan.  NALC President Fredric Rolando called the measure “both unnecessary and counter-productive.”  He urged USPS to put this “drastic” idea on hold until all other options are seriously considered.
Says Rolando, “I do [...]

Secretary Sebelius Reacts To Outrageous Insurance Premium Rate Increases

Anthem Blue Cross, California’s largest health insurer, announced its plans to raise premiums up to 39%.  This news prompted HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius to write a letter in protest:
Says Sebelius, “With so many families already affected by rising costs, I was very disturbed to learn through media accounts that Anthem Blue Cross plans to raise [...]

45 FEHB Providers Made OPM’s High Transparency List

OPM released a list of 45 FEHB providers that meet OPM’s standards for health information technology (HIT), transparency and cost-effectiveness.  Now, federal employees participating in the system can refer to this list in order to select their health care providers.
According to OPM, these FEHB providers meet HIT standards, allowing FEHB participants, their health care providers, [...]

Sen. Mikulski Urges OPM To Modernize

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) had some harsh criticism for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  Referring to the government’s retirement system, Mikulsi  said it was “wasteful and unacceptable,” and in need of modernization.
Said Mikulsi, “this cannot be a casual endeavor for your office . . . Promises made must be promises met.”
To put her comments [...]

Iraq And Afghanistan Deployments Take Toll On Military Families

A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, confirms what many have suspected: the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have taken a tremendous toll on military families, particularly on spouses left waiting at home.  The research for this study was conducted by RTI International, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and [...]

HR 4489 To Require Oversight For Federal Employee Prescription Drug Negotiation

Last week, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced a bill that would require OPM oversight of Pharmacy Benefits Managers when they negotiate with drug companies for federal employees.  Currently, there is little oversight of this process.
Because of a lack of oversight, OPM cannot determine whether rebates from pharmaceutical companies are being passed on to the government [...]

TRICARE Increase Behavioral Health Care Options

TRICARE Increases Behavioral health Care Options
Press Release from www.health.mil
TRICARE has made web-based behavioral health counseling available to service members, spouses and other beneficiaries who have a computer and a Webcam, a TRICARE representative said at the Jan. 25 2010 Military Health System Conference.  The counseling service is called the TRICARE Assistance Program, or TRIAP, and [...]

OPM Launches FedsHireVets.Gov

For Immediate Release . . . Source: opm.gov
New Website Makes It Easier To Find Federal Employment Resources For Veterans And Hiring Officials
Washington, D.C. – Today, (January 21, 2010) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the official launch of FedsHireVets.Gov, a critical component of President Obama’s Veterans’ Employment Initiative.  This website will help insure Veterans, [...]

USPS Overpaid Pension Fund $75 Billion

The USPS Office of Inspector General recently reported a $75 billion overpayment to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).  USPS OIG sources say they are expecting a refund.
According to William Burris, president of the American Postal Workers Union, the refund could make up for the 2009 deficit as well as deficits anticipated for 2010 and [...]

Big Insurance Paid Big Money To Fight Health Care Reform

You must have noticed the TV ads sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce taking aim at health care reform.  It has been reported that the money behind these ads came from some of the biggest insurance carriers in the industry including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Kaiser Foundation Health Plans, UnitedHealth Group and Well Point.  Their [...]

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