Gender Affirming Care and FEHB Coverage
The OPM Carrier Letter for the 2026 FEHB program excludes coverage for “gender affirming” care (gender transition) for all participants with some exclusions.
Author: Ralph R. Smith
Scott Kupor: New Directions at OPM with Blog Posts Citing Philosophy and Direction
OPM Director Scott Kupor communicates directly with federal employees in his blog. It reflects his view of government and points to coming changes. Here is a summary.
Race, Politics, Merit, Luevano Decree and Hiring Federal Employees
Ending the 1981 Luevano decree and OPM’s new merit hiring plan introduce the biggest changes to the federal HR program in recent years.
Probationary Employees: Retained or Fired? New Guidance from OPM Designed to Hire Quality Workforce
OPM is directing agencies to “designate at-least the second-line supervisor….” to make continued employment decisions for probationary employees.
VA Terminates Most Union Contracts Citing Saving “Millions” and 750,000 Hours Per Year on Union Activity
The VA has terminated union agreements, savings millions of dollars and over 700k work hours spent on union activity each year. Here is the rationale and where legal challenges stand.
Court of Appeals Overturns Stay of Executive Order Banning Unions Based on National Security Concerns
A new Court of Appeals decision has been issued allowing temporary implementation of the Executive Order banning unions. Will federal unions survive?
TSP Hits $1 Trillion: A Look at July’s TSP Performance Surge
TSP funds went up in July with two exceptions. Why did two funds decline? What is in the C and S Funds?
Trump on a Roll: Supreme Court Upholds Removing a Stay in Firing Three Members of CPSC
SCOTUS has issued a second decision removing the stay of the president’s decision to remove members of independent federal agencies, CPSC in this case.
TSP Assets Now Over $1 Trillion—C Fund Share Price Tops $100
The TSP hit a big milestone in June reaching more than $1 trillion in assets. One TSP Fund is now priced at over $100 per share for the first time.
Running Government “Like a Business”: The Politics Behind Schedule G
President Trump has issued a new Executive Order establishing Schedule G within the Excepted Service, likely impacting thousands of federal employees.
