Pay & Benefits
Mental and physical health conditions get equal out-of-network coverage
Starting in 2010, insurers will eliminate differences in co-payments and lift a restriction on number of visits.
Defense
GAO: Defense lost track of 72,000 combat medical records
Missing post-deployment health questionnaires help identify issues that emerge over time.
Oversight
Rule could slow Pentagon’s revolving door
Senior officials now will need approval from an agency ethics officer before taking a Defense contractor job.
Oversight
Impending federal retirements could spur agencies to reassess needs
Supervisors require new skills in a changing workforce, report says.
Pay & Benefits
House panel approves domestic partner benefits
Bill extends health care and other employment benefits to partners of gay and lesbian federal employees.
Oversight
Employees raise concerns about USDA reorganization
Headquarters human resources workers ordered to take new jobs elsewhere in the agency.
Oversight
Maryland lawmaker tries to ease federal employees’ fears about health care
Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen says reform would not adversely affect FEHBP enrollees.
Defense
Armed Services panel delays briefing on Fort Hood incident
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee plans to hold a Thursday hearing on the shootings.
Oversight
Poll: Americans have lackluster view of government
Gallup finds mixed public perception of agencies’ performance, while military earns top marks.
Pay & Benefits
TSP launches campaign to boost employee participation
Automatic agency contributions continue to produce jump in plan enrollment.
Pay & Benefits
Appeals judges deny request for locality pay
Panel rejects argument that disparity between locality pay and cost-of-living adjustments hinders interstate travel.
Defense
Army combat stress is up Afghanistan, down in Iraq
Multiple deployments are increasing mental health problems, reports say.
Pay & Benefits
Insurer sends wrong benefit information to long-term care enrollees
Company will issue corrections and OPM will extend the deadline for affected participants.
Defense
Alleged Army gunman’s former patients need follow-up care, observers say
Service declines to discuss steps Army is taking, if any, to help soldiers formerly treated by psychiatrist.
Oversight
IT acquisitions present new challenges for Pentagon
Top Defense official says department must be nimble in providing soldiers with state-of-the-art technologies.
Defense