Ensuring FEHBP Coverage During Pandemic Act

I 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 7475 To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the period of a nationwide pandemic is a special enrollment period under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 1, 2020 Mr. VELA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform A BILL To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the period of a nationwide pandemic is a special enrollment period under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ensuring FEHBP 4 Coverage During Pandemic Act’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:44 Jul 25, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7475.IH H7475 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 7475 IH SEC. 2. FEHBP SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD DURING 1 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. 2 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8905 of title 5, United 3 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol- 4 lowing: 5 ‘‘(j)(1) An unenrolled employee may, during the pe- 6 riod that a nationwide pandemic is in effect (as deter- 7 mined by the Office of Personnel Management), enroll in 8 a health benefits plan under this chapter. 9 ‘‘(2) An employee who is enrolled in such a plan may, 10 during any period described in paragraph (1), change such 11 enrollment.’’. 12 (b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub- 13 section (a) shall apply to any contract entered into under 14 section 8902 of title 5, United States Code, before, on, 15 or after the date of enactment of this Act. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:44 Jul 25, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H7475.IH H7475 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS