Sponsors (14)
The bill temporarily preserves FEHBP health coverage for certain involuntarily removed federal employees and reduces their immediate premium costs, but eligibility is narrowly limited by dates and performance ratings and depends on uncertain DOGE Service 'savings' that could divert funds or create funding instability.
Federal employees involuntarily removed during the bill's specified period can enroll in or continue FEHBP coverage for a limited time, preserving access to employer-backed health insurance.
Pregnant employees and employees with recent cancer diagnoses who are involuntarily removed can enroll in FEHBP, maintaining continuity of prenatal and oncology care.
Premiums for elected FEHBP coverage (employee and government shares) are paid from designated 'savings' from the DOGE Service, reducing immediate out-of-pocket premium costs for affected enrollees.
Tying FEHBP premium payments to unspecified 'savings' from the DOGE Service creates uncertainty about whether funds will be available or stable enough to sustain the coverage benefit.
Designating DOGE Service savings to cover both government and employee premium shares could divert funds from other programs or services and raises questions about accounting and oversight.
Limiting eligibility to involuntary removals within a narrow date window leaves many separated federal employees ineligible for the same temporary FEHBP relief.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows certain civil servants removed Jan 20, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 to enroll or continue FEHBP, with premiums paid from funds described as savings from the DOGE Service.
Official title: To provide that former civil service employees who were wrongfully fired are eligible to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick · Last progress February 26, 2025
Allows certain people who were involuntarily removed from civil service between January 20, 2025 and January 1, 2026 to enroll in or continue Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) coverage. Eligibility is limited to those removed without cause who had at least a fully successful performance review, were pregnant at removal, or had a cancer diagnosis within five years; premiums are paid from federal funds described as savings generated by the United States DOGE Service.