Need for Legislation Creates Dividing Line

Officials described the memo as an exercise of existing authorities that resulted from a review by OPM and State of what could be done without a change in the law, and as necessary to keep the government competitive as an employer at a time when increasing numbers of private sector companies and other governmental entities provide such benefits. Conferring eligibility under health insurance, retirement and many other programs, though, would require congressional action, and beyond the policy considerations would involve substantial costs–$1.2 billion in additional government contributions toward health insurance premiums alone over 10 years, according to the most recent congressional estimate, which is six years old and is based on a lower number of potentially eligible persons than is currently projected. Legislation (HR-2517 and S-1102) to do so was introduced recently by civil service leaders in both the House and Senate. Those bills similarly would apply only to same-sex partners and would set certain standards for who is eligible; the presidential memo does not. They would extend spousal benefits for FEHB, FEDVIP, FEGLI, retirement and disability, family, medical, and emergency leave, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. President Obama said he supports those bills; he co-sponsored a similar proposal while in the Senate.