Fedweek

The House likely will vote soon to create a long-term care insurance benefit for federal and postal employees, retirees and family members, as well as their military counterparts. The push for a quick vote reflects the strategy of the bipartisan backers of the idea to keep up the momentum on the bill (HR-4040), which has moved through the subcommittee and full committee stages in recent weeks. Fast action by the House is considered necessary because while LTC proposals are pending in the Senate, that chamber has not even held hearings on the issue and there are numerous differences among the proposals that would have to be ironed out in this short legislative work year.