[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROVIDING FOR HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of calendar No. 710, S. 2527.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2527) to provide for health benefits coverage 
     under chapter 89, title 5, United States Code, for 
     individuals enrolled in a plan administered by the Overseas 
     Private Investment Corporation, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to the consideration 
of the bill.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read a third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, with no intervening action or debate; and that any 
statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 2527) was read the third time and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2527

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONTINUATION OF HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE FOR 
                   INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN A PLAN ADMINISTERED BY 
                   THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION.

       (a) Enrollment in Chapter 89 Plan.--For purposes of the 
     administration of chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, 
     any period of enrollment under a health benefits plan 
     administered by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation 
     before the effective date of this Act shall be deemed to be a 
     period of enrollment in a health benefits plan under chapter 
     89 of such title.
       (b) Continued Coverage.--
       (1) In general.--Any individual who, on June 30, 2002, is 
     covered by a health benefits plan administered by the 
     Overseas Private Investment Corporation may enroll in an 
     approved health benefits plan described under section 8903 or 
     8903a of title 5, United States Code--
       (A) either as an individual or for self and family, if such 
     individual is an employee, annuitant, or former spouse as 
     defined under section 8901 of such title; and
       (B) for coverage effective on and after June 30, 2002.
       (2) Individuals currently under continued coverage.--An 
     individual who, on June 30, 2002, is entitled to continued 
     coverage under a health benefits plan administered by the 
     Overseas Private Investment Corporation--
       (A) shall be deemed to be entitled to continued coverage 
     under section 8905a of title 5, United States Code, for the 
     same period that would have been permitted under the plan 
     administered by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; 
     and
       (B) may enroll in an approved health benefits plan 
     described under section 8903 or 8903a of such title in 
     accordance with section 8905a of such title for coverage 
     effective on and after June 30, 2002.
       (3) Unmarried dependent children.--An individual who, on 
     June 30, 2002, is covered as an unmarried dependent child 
     under a health benefits plan administered by the Overseas 
     Private Investment Corporation and who is not a member of 
     family as defined under section 8901(5) of title 5, United 
     States Code--
       (A) shall be deemed to be entitled to continued coverage 
     under section 8905a of such title as though the individual 
     had, on June 30, 2002, ceased to meet the requirements for 
     being considered an unmarried dependent child under chapter 
     89 of such title; and
       (B) may enroll in an approved health benefits plan 
     described under section 8903 or 8903a of such title in 
     accordance with section 8905a for continued coverage 
     effective on and after June 30, 2002.
       (c) Transfers to the Employees Health Benefits Fund.--
       (1) In general.--The Overseas Private Investment 
     Corporation shall transfer to the Employees Health Benefits 
     Fund established under section 8909 of title 5, United States 
     Code, amounts determined by the Director of the Office of 
     Personnel Management, after consultation with the Overseas 
     Private Investment Corporation, to be necessary to reimburse 
     the Fund for the cost of providing benefits under this 
     section not otherwise paid for by the individuals covered by 
     this section.
       (2) Availability of funds.--The amounts transferred under 
     paragraph (1) shall be held in the Fund and used by the 
     Office in addition to amounts available under section 
     8906(g)(1) of title 5, United States Code.
       (d) Administration and Regulations.--The Office of 
     Personnel Management--
       (1) shall administer this section to provide for--
       (A) a period of notice and open enrollment for individuals 
     affected by this section; and
       (B) no lapse of health coverage for individuals who enroll 
     in a health benefits plan under chapter 89 of title 5, United 
     States Code, in accordance with this section; and
       (2) may prescribe regulations to implement this section.

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