[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15172-15173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM CONVERSION ACT

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
the Senate in cosponsoring S. 1022, the Federal Employees Health 
Insurance Premium Conversion Act. This legislation will enable Federal 
and military retirees to take advantage of premium conversion, which 
would allow individual retirees to pay their health insurance premiums 
with pre-tax dollars. In 2000, this tax benefit was extended to current 
Federal employees under a Presidential directive, and it is a benefit 
available to many private sector employees, and State and local 
government employees. It only makes sense to bring equity to the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
  Furthermore, this legislation will allow uniformed services retiree 
beneficiaries, their family members and

[[Page 15173]]

survivors to pay the TRICARE Prime enrollment fees and TRICARE Standard 
supplemental insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars.
  I am happy to join my colleagues by supporting this critical 
legislation and to show my continued support of these Federal civilian 
and military retirees for their dedicated service.

                          ____________________