"We're going to open it (the FEHB) up to everybody"
By Ralph Smith
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The presidential election season is upon us. Democrats have been avoiding Fox News, perhaps to avoid the ire of left wing groups that see the network as portraying an unfavorable view of their political views, but Senator Clinton participated In an inverview on a Fox news show with Bill O'Reilly.
During the interview, presidential candidate Clinton says that to provide health insurance for every American, "We're going to open it (the FEHB) up to everybody."
Of course, most of the premiums for the Federal Employee Health Benefits program are paid by the federal government. Under the Clinton plan, those that can afford to pay for the benefits would do so; those that do not have enough money would be subsidized by the federal government. Her rationale is that Americans are already paying an "extra tax" for people without health insurance as emergency rooms are taking care of people without health insurance and the government is subsidizing this program.
Federal employees are often thought of as being generous, many are socially liberal in their political views but whether they would like to see their health benefits program become part of a much larger program that will be used by everyone without health insurance could change the FEHB considerably. Presumably, there would be a separate risk pool for the large number of uninsured who would come into the program but, as with all new programs, the details would become more clear as it becomes implemented.
The Federal Employee's Health Benefit Plan (FEHB) is often cited as a a model plan. Without a doubt, the FEHB is a significant employee benefit. The federal government pays the majority of the health insurance cost, employees have a choice of plans and the insurance can be carried into retirement by employees who meet certain criteria--and most meet the criteria.
A survey of readers last year showed that most were opposed to opening up their health plan in this way. One summary of her overall plan, estimated to cost $110-billion or so in the first year, includes the expansion of the FEHB and is outlined here.
Here is the interview. The segment reflecting her views on the federal employee health benefits program begins at about 5:45 into the interview for those who may want to scroll ahead to this portion.
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