[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEE DISABILITY INSURANCE ACT OF 2010

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill to offer 
Federal employees supplemental disability insurance at no cost to the 
Federal Government. My bill will allow Federal employees to collect 
disability benefits to replace a portion of their income if they become 
unable to work because of a non-work related injury or illness. While 
the Federal Government does offer non-work related disability benefits 
to Federal employees, they do not protect the lost income of employees 
who become disabled but who have not been employed by the Federal 
Government for at least 18 months, or 5 years as the case may be, and 
are disabled for less than 1 year. Under current law, Federal employees 
hired before 1984 who become disabled for more than 1 year are eligible 
to collect their Federal employee retirement pension if they have 5 
years of creditable civilian service, while Federal employees hired 
after 1984 who become disabled for 1 year or more cannot collect such 
benefits unless they have been employed by the Federal Government for 
18 months or more. Without the disability insurance option that my bill 
will offer, a Federal employee who becomes disabled, even for a short 
time, is at risk of financial ruin.
  My bill is also significant because, although it will require Federal 
employees to pay 100% of premiums, the purchasing power of the Federal 
Government will allow Federal employees to pay lower insurance premiums 
and will not exclude those with preexisting conditions. A Federal 
employee can still elect to purchase disability insurance in the 
private marketplace, but they may face higher premiums or even be 
denied coverage altogether because of a pre-existing condition. This 
bill is a much needed supplement to the insurance benefits currently 
available to Federal employees.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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