[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HEALTH CARE PREMIUM PAY CONVERSION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

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                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today introduced a new piece of 
legislation that will help Federal employees and retirees better afford 
health care.
  The bill, which is titled the Federal Employees Health Insurance 
Premium Conversion Act, greatly expands a program already being 
utilized by several branches of the federal government. Under this 
bill, all current legislative branch employees, uniformed service 
employees, and all military and civilian retirees and their spouses 
would be able to have their health care premiums paid out of their pre-
tax earnings.
  Mr. Speaker, under this plan, which is already available to judicial 
branch and postal employees and will soon be available to all executive 
branch employees, federal workers who have previously struggled to pay 
their health care premiums will find that task just a little easier 
every month. Federal Retirees and their families, many of whom are on a 
fixed income, will also be able to pay their health care premiums 
without spending their entire months budget.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill will help federal employees 
compensate for the discrepancies between their pay and the private 
sector. It will further help us recognize the contributions made by 
federal retirees and allow them and their families afford health care.
  In closing, I would ask all my colleagues to join me in support of 
this bill, and help get it passed so it can begin helping the people 
who need it the most as soon as possible.

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